Fr. Jojo Buenafe
April 2, 2025
Portugal, Spain, France, and Switzerland
One of the most well-known Marian antiphons, the Salve Regina, depicts us as “pilgrims in a strange land”. In this Marian hymn, we cry out to Mary, the “Mother of Mercy,” as “poor banished children of Eve,” and ask that, “after this our exile,” she will “show unto us the blessed fruit of her womb, Jesus.” We should look to Mary as a sure guide to lead us to the fruit of her womb, Jesus. Visit endearing places where Our Blessed Mother has appeared and get closer to Jesus through Mary. Join a 14-day Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines of Portugal, Spain, France, and Switzerland with Fr. Jojo Buenafe on April 2-15, 2025.
Your pilgrimage begins with a visit to the Church of St. Anthony de Padua in Lisbon, Portugal. Although he died in Padua, Italy, St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, and the church sits on the site where he was born. A crypt marks his birthplace, and in 1982, St. John Paul II visited and prayed here. Travel onwards to Fatima, where you will spend two nights at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. Here, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children—Lucia and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta—between May and October 1917. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions, an open-air chapel built on the site of her appearances.
Leave Portugal for Spain and head for the medieval city of Burgos. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos, also known as Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cathedral of Santa Maria is Burgos’s historic jewel and one of Spain’s great Gothic churches.
Travel onwards to Lourdes, France, to spend two nights at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. The sanctuary is the site of an apparition of the Blessed Mother seen by Bernadette Soubirous, who was later canonized. 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.
Journey on to the beautiful city of Paris. Visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 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. Delight in a River Seine Cruise and marvel at the “City of Lights’s” famous sights.
Leave France for Switzerland and enjoy a scenic drive through the Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy. Marvel at prosperous farms and half-timbered villages through the Alpine heart of picturesque Lucerne. Head to the mountain resort town of Engelberg for a captivating mountain experience. Not to be missed is a delightful ride on board a rotating cable car, the Rotair.
Make your way to the pilgrimage town of Einsiedeln, home to the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Einsiedeln. The famous shrine incorporates the relics of a saint, a miraculous Black Madonna statue, and a Benedictine monastery. Nearby is the world’s largest nativity scene, the Diorama Bethlehem. Next stop is Rapperswil, famous for its utterly resplendent rose gardens, which offer a combination of sights spanning history, art, culture, and nature with a Mediterranean ambience.
Wind down your pilgrimage with a two-night stay in Zurich. Begin the day with a mass at the Church of St. Anton, followed by a guided city tour. Not to be missed are a pleasurable cruise on the Lake of Zurich and a visit to the world-famous Chocolate Lindt Shop.
Marian apparitions are moments when the Blessed Virgin Mary appears to us here on earth, letting us know that Her prayers for us are being offered to God. Receive inspiration from the lives of Mary and the Saints, who were faithful to Jesus at all costs. Join a 14-day Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines of Portugal, Spain, France, and Switzerland with Fr. Jojo Buenafe on April 2-15, 2025. May this pilgrimage strengthen your resolve to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
with With A Pilgrimage Chaplain
READ MORE +• Passport with six (6) months validity from the date of departure
• One (1) Visa Application Form
• Two (2) pcs. passport-size pictures
• Original Bank Certificate (both Pesos and/or US Dollars) – must include account type, current balance, account opening, and six (6) months average
• Original or certified true copy of Bank Statement for the last (3) months
• Affidavit of Support and Consent (signed and notarized by the sponsor if financially incapable)
• If married, copy of Authenticated Marriage Contract
• Copy of hotel voucher (to be supplied by ERI)
• Photocopy of International Credit Cards (if available)
• Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of Php2.5 Million (valid for 30 days)
If employed:
• Employment Certificate – must be in company’s letterhead and must include the applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, and company’s address, telephone number, and email address
• Certificate of Compensation 2316
If in business:
• Original and Photocopy of Business Registration, DTI or SEC
• Original and Photocopy of Latest Income Tax Return
• Personal appearance by the applicant
• Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
VISA FEE: Php 10,500.00*
* Subject to change without prior notice!
1) A US$ 500.00 deposit (for economy) / US$1,000.00 deposit (for business class) is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo, copy of latest arrival stamp in Manila, visa fee (if applicable), and travel insurance payment.
2) Final payment in USD is due on or 45 days before departure.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 45 days before departure date – US$ 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.
*** RATES AND ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***