Fr. Dan Bien
September 25, 2023
Portugal, Spain, France & Italy
“To succeed in your intentions, entrust yourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary always, but especially in moments of difficulty and darkness. From Mary, we learn to surrender to God’s will in things. From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God… Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God’s Word to you will be fulfilled, and that nothing is impossible with God.'”
– St. John Paul II
Deepen your devotion to the Blessed Mother and the saints. Join a 16-day communion with Mary and the Saints Marian Pilgrimage with Fr. Dan Bien on September 25 to October 10, 2023.
Your pilgrimage begins with a Mass at the Church of St. Anthony in Lisbon, Portugal. The Church of St. Anthony was built on the site where St. Anthony of Lisbon (also known as St. Anthony of Padua) was born in 1195. Travel onwards to Fatima, where you will spend two nights at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. The fame of this place is the result of the apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary to three shepherd children – Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.
From Fatima, head for Coimbra to visit the Chapel of the Carmelite Convent of St. Teresa, where Sister Lucia (one of the visionaries in Fatima) lived and died. Continue with a panoramic view of the city of Braga, the third largest city in Portugal. Visit the magnificent Shrine of Bom Jesus do Monte (Shrine of Good Jesus of the Mountain), well known for its intricate zigzag baroque-style staircase of about 600 steps that leads up to the main basilica. Leave Portugal for Spain for a visit to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St. James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus. The cathedral-basilica is at the end of a pilgrimage route known as the Way of St. James.
Still in Spain, stop by the awe-inspiring Covadonga, home to the Santa Cueva de Nuestra Senora de Covadonga, where Our Lady of the Covadonga is enshrined. Next stop is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu, where St. Ignatius of Loyola spent a night in vigil and made his vow of chastity. For Ignatius, it was a time of great grace to strengthen his resolve to follow Christ.
Proceed to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, an apparition site of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. Here, 18 apparitions were reported. Pray the rosary and spend time in quiet reflection at the Grotto of Massabielle, the Blessed Mother’s apparition site. Not to be missed is the evening rosary procession, where “Ave Maria” is sung in unison and the rosary is recited in different languages.
Head for Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France and one of Europe’s largest cities. Paris has the well-deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities. Enjoy a delightful tour of the city that includes a cruise on the River Seine. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac, an important place of prayer and pilgrimage that draws believers from all over the world who wish to prayerfully reflect and ask for the Virgin Mary’s protection. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the pilgrimage town of Lisieux, hometown of the endeared St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
Wind down your pilgrimage in Italy by visiting San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio spent most of his life. And Rome, the heart and home of the Catholic Church.
We come to find Christ, and Mary always points the way to her Son. Join a 16-day communion with Mary and the saints’ Marian pilgrimage with Fr. Dan Bien on September 25 to October 10, 2023. And like Mary did with Jesus, may you treasure and ponder the memories of this holy journey in your hearts, allowing Jesus to unfold the graces received as pilgrims on the journey toward eternal life.
with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
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Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
VISA FEE: Php 9,500 *
* Subject to change without prior notice!
1) A non-refundable US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile, visa and insurance fee.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than one (1) month before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 60 days before departure date – US$ 300.00
> 45 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 30 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> US$300.00 Admin Fee for any visa denial
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Philippine Travel Tax PHP1,620.00, airport taxes, visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides, tour escorts, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure.” All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
*** RATES AND ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***