Fr. Ari Dy, S.J.
April 15, 2024
Portugal, Spain, and France
God has given the world the Blessed Mother and the Saints. With their exceptional lives and heavenly intercession, they uplift the faithful. Come to know Jesus more fully through Mary and the saints. Join a 15-day Marian Pilgrimage in communion with Mary and the Saints to Spain, Portugal, and France with Fr. Ari Dy, S.J. on April 15 to 29, 2024.
Begin your pilgrimage with a Mass at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain, which houses a 16th century image of the “Virgen de la Almudena.” Enjoy a panoramic tour of this bustling city, which includes a visit to Madrid’s top attractions such as the Plaza Mayor, Cibeles, Neptuno Fountains, Puerta del Sol, Parque del Oeste, Gran Via, and others.
Head for Alba de Tormes, the resting place of St. Teresa of Avila. Visit the Carmelite Convent of the Annunciation, where St. Teresa spent the last 15 days of her life in a small cell, where she experienced mystical encounters with God before dying in 1582. Her remains are entombed here, above the main altar.
The next place to visit is Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa of Jesus, one of the great mystics of the Roman Catholic Church. Visit the Convent of St. Teresa (La Santa Convent), built on the site where St. Teresa was born. A small museum adjoining the monastery, the Santa Maria Museum, houses two of St. Teresa’s most sacred relics, her left arm and her heart, along with relics of St. John of the Cross. Stop by the Monastery of San Jose, the saint’s first foundation. Visit the 12th century Avila Cathedral, a strong, fortress-like cathedral adjoining the famous Medieval Walls of Avila.
Travel from Spain to Portugal and spend two nights in one of the most well-known Marian shrines in the world, Fatima. Spend time in prayer at the Chapel of the Apparitions, an open-air chapel built on the site of the Marian apparitions. Not to be missed is a moving evening rosary and candlelight procession.
Leave Fatima for Coimbra, where Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of Fatima, lived until her death in 2005. Journey on to Braga, the third-largest city of Portugal. Visit the magnificent Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (Shrine of Good Jesus of the Mountain), well known for its intricate zigzag Baroque-style staircase about 600 steps that lead up to the main Basilica.
Return to Spain through Pontevedra, a city with a long maritime and trading tradition. Pontevedra boasts one of the largest and most elegant historic quarters in all of Galicia. Join hundreds of pilgrims who walked the Way of St. James on your visit to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the place where St. James is buried. The church marks the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Still in Spain, stop by the awe-inspiring Covadonga, home to the Holy Cave where Our Lady of Covadonga is enshrined. The shrine of Our Lady of Covadonga rose to prominence following the Battle of Covadonga in about 720, which was the first defeat of the Moors during their invasion of Spain. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hidden in one of the caves, was believed to have miraculously aided the Christian victory. Feast your eyes on the lovely Cantabrian Coast on your way towards San Sebastian for a quick lunch.
Head for France to spend two nights at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, an apparition site of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. The most sacred site in Lourdes is the Grotto of Massabielle, the site of St. Bernadette’s visions of the Blessed Mother. The spring water from the grotto is believed to possess healing properties, and the Roman Catholic Church has officially proclaimed 70 miraculous healings.
Cap off your pilgrimage in the beautiful city of 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, which includes a cruise on the River Seine.
Not to be missed is a visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac, where Our Lady appeared before St. Catherine of Laboure and instructed her to have a medal made, and all who wear it will receive great graces.
Embark on a 15-day Marian Pilgrimage in communion with Mary and the Saints (Spain, Portugal, and France) with Fr. Ari Dy, S.J. on April 15-29, 2024. On this unique spiritual journey, see the iconic sites of the Blessed Mother’s famous apparitions, awe-inspiring cathedrals built in her honor, and the birthplace of some of the saints.
Ask your friends to write their prayer petitions on a piece of paper, which you can drop in a box set aside for prayer petitions at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France.
It is customary for pilgrims who visit the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to give St. James the Apostle a hug. This tradition is called “Abrazo del Apostol,” meaning “hug the apostle.”
The Baroque basilica of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is 400 meters above sea level and provides visitors with awesome, sweeping views of Braga.
Enjoy an enchanting Seine River cruise and rediscover the full splendor of the river banks and monuments of Paris.
Shop for rosaries, medals, and other religious souvenir items while on pilgrimage, and let your pilgrimage chaplain bless them before heading home.
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
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Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
VISA FEE: Php 13,000*
* Subject to changed 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 fee (if applicable); and insurance fee.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than one month before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 45 days before departure date – US$ 500.00
> 30 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 20 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: 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, 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 sub-agents 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. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
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