Lourdes & Paris Pilgrimage
w/ Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish
& Msgr Gary Smetanka
Dates TBD
Price $TBD
Msgr Smetanka invites you on a transformative pilgrimage to the most revered and beloved Marian Shrine in the world, Lourdes, and Paris, the "City of Lights."
Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées area of southwestern France, is the site of the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Bernadette reported 18 apparitions of a "Lady" who asked for a chapel to be built at the grotto of Massabielle. During one of the apparitions, a spring emerged, and the water is known its for miraculous healing power. The Sanctuary includes the Grotto of Massabielle, where the apparitions took place, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Pilgrims participate in the Blessing of the Sick, processions, and the bathing pools where they pray for healing in the spring water.
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Paris is renowned for it's art, culture, architecture, food, historic landmarks and its incredible Catholic history. We will visit wonderful sites such as as the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) in the Montmartre District, Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, and the Basilica of St Denis. No visit to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a scenic Seine River Tour.
Pilgrims from around the world visit Lourdes seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing. Jesus promises a wealth of blessings and profound spiritual experiences, and we hope you will join us!
DAYS 1 & 2: Detroit > Toulouse, France
We depart USA en route to Toulouse, France with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft. Upon arrival at Toulouse International Airport, will be met by our guide and bus driver, and begin our pilgrimage with a visit to the Church of the Jacobins and the Tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas. After time spent venerating this anointed Doctor of the Church, we will have lunch on our own and then continue to Lourdes – home to one of the most important Marian Shrines and pilgrimage sites in the world. We celebrate Holy Mass before check-in at the hotel. Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)
DAY 3 : Lourdes
Today we enjoy a guided walking tour of Lourdes. Our guide will share with us the history of the Marian apparitions that appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous. We will visit the places where the apparitions occurred in 1858, among them three basilicas, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Rosary Basilica and the Basilica of St. Pius X, respectively known as the upper, lower and underground basilica. We will celebrate Holy Mass and then have lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the afternoon and evening at our leisure. (B|L)
DAY 4: Lourdes
This morning, we celebrate Holy Mass and the remainder of the day is ours to spend as we please. Dinner at the hotel. (B|D)
DAY 5 : Lourdes > Paris > Rouen > Lisieux
Today we depart Lourdes on a short flight to Paris and then carry on to Rouen. We will visit the site where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, then tour the Rouen Cathedral. Celebrate Mass before continuing to Lisieux. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as we walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. Dinner an overnight at our hotel in Lisieux. (B|D)
DAY 6: Lisieux > Landing Beaches > American Cemetery
After Holy Mass we will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. we will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing and personal objects of St. Therese when we visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Additionally, we will tour the Carmelite Convent, where she entered in 1888, and is currently entombed in with her parents. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings happened on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 (termed D-Day). The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied Northwestern Europe from Nazi control, and contributed to the Allied victory on the Western Front. Continue on to visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II are buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Return to Lisieux for dinner on our own. (B|L)
DAY 7: Lisieux > Chartres > Paris
This morning we depart for Chartres, known worldwide for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame, and its incredible stained-glass windows from the 12th and 13th century. The World Heritage site, UNESCO, calls the Cathedral “the high point of French Gothic art” and a “masterpiece”. We will have some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Chartres. After lunch, we will continue to Paris for check in at our hotel, followed by some free time before a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. (B|D)
DAY 8: Paris
Today we visit the great Catholic sites in Paris and learn of the Church’s rich history in this magnificent city. We begin with a visit to la Sainte-Chapelle, We will visit such sites as the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral (crypt and tower not included), the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) in the Montmartre District (where we will celebrate Holy Mass), and the Basilica of St Denis. We will have lunch at a local restaurant and the remainder of the day is ours to explore the City of Light. (B|L)
DAY 9: Paris
This morning we start our day with Holy Mass at Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. From there, a guided tour of Paris. Stops include the Champs-Élysées with its iconic Arc de Triomphe. The construction of the Arc de Triomphe began in 1806 and was completed in 1836. The monument was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to honor the French army's victories, particularly after the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805.
We will also visit the Eiffel Tower (view only). The tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair. After lunch on our own, we will enjoy a scenic Seine River cruise. The remainder of the afternoon is ours to shop, relax and do as we please in The City of Lights. We’ll reconvene at the hotel before our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B|D)
DAY 10: Paris > Detroit
Today we transfer to the Charles de Gaul airport for our flight home after a spiritual journey through Portugal & France. We take with us wonderful memories of our travel with dear friends, and edifying, indeed, sanctifying encounters with Our Lady. Thank you Msgr Smetanka and God bless! B