Fr. Val Pinlac
September 25, 2019
Portugal, Spain and France
The Blessed Mother and the Saints are a gift of God to the world. They inspire the faithful by their life examples and intercession in heaven. Get closer to Jesus through Mary and the Saints. Join a 16-day Marian Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and France with a Pilgrimage Chaplain leaving on September 25, 2019.
Begin your pilgrimage with a Mass at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, 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, and others. Next stop is Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa of Jesus, one of the great mystics of the Roman Catholic Church. The Convent of St. Teresa is a 17th century convent built over the house where St. Teresa was born. It contains her relics, along with her friend St. John of the Cross, in a small museum.
Head for Portugal where you will spend two nights in Fatima, one of the most famous Marian shrines in the world. 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.
En route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, stop at Braga, the third largest city of Portugal. Visit the magnificent Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte (Shrine of Good Jesus of the Mountain) in Braga, well known for its intricate zigzag Baroque style staircase, about 600 steps, that lead up to the main Basilica.
Visit the awe inspiring Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the place where St. James is buried. The church marks the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Stop by the awe inspiring Covadonga, home to the Holy Cave where Our Lady of Covadonga is enshrined. Next stop is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Arantzazu, one of the most avant-garde religious buildings in the world. The sanctuary was built in the place where the Blessed Mother is believed to have appeared before a shepherd in 1469. St. Ignatius visited the shrine of Our Lady of Arantzazu while on his way to Montserrat. It was during his overnight vigil in this place where he said he received spiritual graces and made his vow of chastity.
Proceed to 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. 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.
Have this once in a lifetime journey. Join a 16-day Marian Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and France with a Pilgrimage Chaplain leaving on September 25, 2019. Be inspired and spiritually uplifted as you dwell in the places where the Blessed Mother has appeared and great Saints have lived.
Reflect on the message of Fatima on your visit to this holy place. Fatima’s message is an exhortation to prayer as the pathway to salvation, and the summons to penance and conversion.
Ask your friends to write their prayer petitions in a piece of paper which you can drop in a box 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.”
Revel in the yummy hot chocolate con churros of San Gines – Pasadizo de San Gines – in Madrid. It is the oldest (since 1894) and the best churreria in town!
The Baroque Basilica of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is 400 meters above sea level and provides visitors with an awesome, sweeping view of Braga.
Spiritually focused journeys
Insightful pilgrimage chaplains
Quality accomodation
Expertly-crafted itineraries
Friendly and bonded groups
Senior citizen friendly
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
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 Franca Pilgrim
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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VISA FEE: Php 8,000.00 *
* 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, and the visa fee (if applicable).
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.
*** RATES AND ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***
