“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
~ St. Maximilian Kolbe
To journey with Mary is to walk the surest path to Christ. She leads us gently to her Son, teaching us how to listen, to trust, and to surrender. A Marian pilgrimage is more than a visit to holy places — it is a pilgrimage of the heart, a renewal of faith, and a rediscovery of God’s love through the eyes of His Mother.
Your spiritual companion on this journey is Fr. Vicente Gabriel S.J. Bautista, fondly known as Fr. Viel — a liturgist and the Vice Rector of The Manila Cathedral under the Archdiocese of Manila. His priestly vocation began at the young age of 13 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati and continued through John Paul II Minor Seminary in Antipolo and San Carlos Seminary for his college formation. A man of deep prayer and contagious faith, Fr. Viel is known for his heartfelt and insightful homilies – honest, inspiring, and filled with the love of God. His homilies, shared through The Manila Cathedral’s social media ministry, continue to touch hearts and lead many closer to Christ.
Join a 15-day Spiritual Journey to the Sacred Shrines of Belgium, France, and Italy with Fr. Viel Bautista from February 25 to March 12, 2026, and experience the grace of walking with Mary and the saints as they leads you ever closer to Jesus.
Begin your pilgrimage with Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels, Belgium. Commonly known as the Brussels Cathedral, this masterpiece of Gothic architecture is a treasured landmark of the city. Afterward, enjoy a full-day guided tour of Brussels, highlighted by a visit to the Grand Place — the city’s central square and one of the most stunning plazas in all of Europe.
Continue your journey to Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its enchanting medieval character. Explore its landmarks on a guided walking tour, including Our Lady’s Church, home to Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child; the Belfry Tower; and the Chapel of the Holy Blood, which houses a revered relic of Christ’s Passion. A scenic canal cruise offers a serene view of Bruges’ timeless beauty.
Depart Belgium for Lisieux, France, the hometown of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Visit the Carmel Chapel, where her remains rest, the Hall of Relics, and her childhood home at Les Buissonnets before proceeding to the magnificent Basilica of St. Thérèse.
Continue to Pontmain to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Pontmain, where the Blessed Virgin appeared in 1871 as Our Lady of Hope, bringing comfort and peace to a fearful village during the Franco-Prussian War. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Pontmain and the Barbadette family barn, where the miraculous apparition took place. Travel south to Versailles to explore the Palace of Versailles, a grand symbol of French history and artistry, and stroll through its elegant gardens.
Proceed to Paris, the heart of France, for a sightseeing tour highlighted by Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where St. Catherine Labouré received the vision of the Miraculous Medal in 1830. Visit beloved landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and other treasures of the City of Light. Then journey to Nevers to venerate the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette Soubirous at the St. Gildard Convent, where she lived a life of humility and prayer.
Next, visit Ars, the home of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars. In the Basilica, venerate his incorrupt body and pray in the Chapel of St. Philomena, to whom he had great devotion after receiving her miraculous healing.
Leave France for Italy to visit Rome, the heart and home of the Catholic Church. Proceed with a tour of the city’s major sights, basilicas, churches, including the four major basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and Sta. Maria Maggiore. Receive the Papal Blessing at St. Peter’s Square.
Wind down your pilgrimage in San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. Offer your prayers before his incorrupt body at the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, giving thanks for the grace of this journey and the blessings received along the way.
Join a 15-day Spiritual Journey to the Sacred Shrines of Belgium, France, and Italy with Fr. Viel Bautista from February 25 to March 12, 2026. May this pilgrimage with Mary and the saints renew your heart, strengthen your faith, and draw you ever closer to Christ, our Lord.
