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"Notre Dame"Our Lady |
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Notre Dame means 'Our Lady' in French, referring to the Virgin Mary. Many Catholic churches
have been named Notre Dame, having been dedicated to Her for patronage. Her first request, ALWAYS, to visionaries is to build a church
in order to bring Her Son to us. Through the celebration of Mass, She wants us to receive Jesus through the Eucharist. We pray along
with Her, to Jesus who has given up His life for ours. Together, we pray for our needs, graces and guidance. How can Jesus refuse His
own mother when we pray with Her? Praying is surrendering ourselves to God's will.
We start in Rome, the Eternal City, where the roots of the Catholic faith can be found, traveling through the French Riviera all the
way to Lourdes and ending in Paris, visiting the Ile de la Cité, an ancient island in the Seine River where Christianity first
started in Paris in the 3rd century and where the Notre Dame Cathedral now stands. |
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Rome, Assisi, Lourdes and Paris |
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10 Days - Italy and France |
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Itinerary |
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Day 1: |
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Depart the U.S. on an international flight bound for Rome, Italy. Meals will be
served on the overnight flight. |
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Day 2: |
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Upon arrival in Rome, we are welcomed in the "Eternal City" by our
Tour Director who will transfer us to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 3: |
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After breakfast, enjoy a full day panoramic city tour of classical Roman Empire monuments
(the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and more) on the way to one of the catacombs where the early
Christians were buried. Then, we continue with a visit to the three major basilicas: St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul
Outside the Walls, time permitting. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 4: |
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Our day starts with a visit to the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the Christian world, built over the tomb of St. Peter.
Inside this wonderful piece of architecture is the Pieta, an emotionally-moving
masterpiece of the Madonna and Christ, and Michelangelo’s earliest marble sculpture. Papal Audience (on Wednesdays) or Papal Blessing
(on Sundays) to be arranged pending the Pope’s schedule. We then continue to the Vatican Museum, with its priceless collection of art
and treasures, and the Sistine Chapel with its amazing, unique ceiling, one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements. The rest of the day
is at leisure to explore this fascinating city, both ancient and modern, on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 5: |
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We travel today to Assisi, spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio, and still
retaining its medieval character. This town owes its fame to St. Francis, whose dedication to humility and charity became the
foundation of the Franciscan Order, and to St. Clare who along with St. Francis made a significant contribution to the past and present
of the city. Upon arrival, we will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built over the Portiuncula. It was in this chapel that
St. Francis received a clear understanding of his vocation which made the first Franciscan community. A few steps away is the Capella Del
Transito, which marks the spot where he died in 1226. We continue up the hill where we will celebrate Mass at the 13th Century Basilica
of San Francesco, where one church has been superimposed upon another, and with a crypt containing the saint’s tomb and many of his
possessions. Our walking tour begins with a visit to La Chiesa Nouva, the church built in 1616 on the site of the home of Pietro
Bernardone and Lady Pica, parents of St. Francis, then we proceed to the Basilica of Santa Chiara which houses the incorrupt body of St.
Clare, contained in a glass-walled sarcophagus. Kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild
His Church. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. |
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Day 6: |
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We continue on our spiritual journey to Arenzano, where we will celebrate Mass at the
Carmelite Monastery that houses a statue of the Infant of Prague, presented to the Carmelite monks at the Church of Santa Maria della
Vittoria in 1628 by the Princess Polissena Lobkowitz of Prague. Dinner and overnight in Arenzano. |
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Day 7: |
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The road unwinds through the French Riviera to Lourdes, one of the greatest pilgrimage
shrines in the world. It was here at the Grotto of Massabielle in February 1858, that Our Blessed Mother appeared 18 times to a young,
sickly child named Bernadette Soubirous and later proclaimed to her that She was the Immaculate Conception. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. |
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Day 8: |
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After breakfast, we celebrate Mass and then participate in the walking tour of Lourdes, where
we visit the places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. The afternoon may be spent for private devotion at the Way of the Cross,
with its life-size statues on the hill, Eucharistic Adoration, confession or take part in the Miraculous Baths to experience the message
of Our Lady. After dinner, we participate in the Candlelight Procession or simply spend some more private time at the "Grotto".
Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. |
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Day 9: |
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Early morning departure bound for Paris. Upon arrival, we will be met by our Tour Director who will take us on a city tour. Enjoy a
panoramic sightseeing city tour of Paris which includes the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe, then on to Notre Dame
Cathedral, culminating with Mass at the Miraculous Medal Chapel, where the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré is kept. It
was in 1830 that Our Blessed Mother had appeared to her giving her the mission of having a medal struck and distributed, later known as
the Miraculous Medal. In 1840, Our Blessed Mother appeared again, this time to Justine Bisqueyburu with the gift of the Green Scapular.
Dinner and overnight in Paris. |
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Day 10: |
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We bid farewell to France as we depart for the airport to catch our return flight
to the U.S. with a same day arrival. |
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