Shrines of France with Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Elizabeth Poole-Sliman
Shrines of France
Nine days from Lourdes to Paris, by way of Toulouse, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Nevers and Lisieux, with Mass along the way and an optional post-tour extension to Rome.
Your spiritual guide
Elizabeth Poole-Sliman
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
“In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be love.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul
St. Thérèse found her vocation in love. On our last full day we travel to Lisieux to visit her home and the Carmelite Monastery, and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Thérèse.
The Basilica of St. Thérèse · Lisieux
France, July 5 to 13, 2027
Nine days, seven nights in Lourdes, Toulouse, Ars-sur-Formans and Paris, with Bartrès, Paray-le-Monial, Nevers and Lisieux along the way.
Begins in Lourdes and ends in Paris
OvernightVisit
Nights: 2 Lourdes, 1 Toulouse, 1 Ars, 3 Paris.
Departure
Our overnight flight departs for Lourdes from our local airport.
Lourdes
Morning arrival into Lourdes. This afternoon, we will visit the Grotto of Massabielle, where the healing waters flow. In the evening, we will attend the candlelight procession.
Basilica of St. Pius X
We’ll attend the International Mass, concelebrated by our spiritual director in the underground Basilica of St. Pius X. After Mass, we’ll have a guided tour of St. Bernadette’s home, the basilica, and her environs, giving us a deeper understanding of St. Bernadette’s life and her relationship with Mary, the Immaculate. This afternoon we will walk and pray in the Eucharistic Procession.
Bartrès & Toulouse
This morning, we depart for Bartrès, where St. Bernadette lived for a time before the apparitions at Lourdes. We will visit the village and walk part of the pilgrim’s path connected to the historic Way of St. James. Following our visit, we continue to Toulouse. Upon arrival, we visit the Church of the Jacobins, where St. Thomas Aquinas is buried.
Toulouse, Paray-le-Monial & Ars-sur-Formans
This morning we take a short flight from Toulouse to Lyon. Upon arrival we travel to Paray-le-Monial, where we visit the Shrine of the Sacred Heart and the Chapel of the Visitation. We celebrate Mass here, where Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a series of apparitions. We then continue to Ars-sur-Formans, the village where St. John Vianney served as pastor.
Ars-sur-Formans, Nevers & Paris
This morning we visit the Shrine of St. John Vianney in Ars and celebrate Mass, praying at the incorrupt body of the Curé of Ars. We then depart for Nevers to visit the convent where St. Bernadette spent the final years of her life and where her incorrupt body rests today. Afterwards, we continue on to Paris in time for dinner.
Paris
After breakfast this morning we will get an overview of the City of Light, where we’ll see the Champs-Élysées, the Seine River, Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. In the afternoon we will visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal on Rue du Bac. Here, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré and asked her to have a medal made with the inscription: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Lisieux
After breakfast, we travel northwest for an excursion to Lisieux. We’ll visit the home and Carmelite Monastery of St. Thérèse, the “Little Flower.” Our spiritual director will celebrate Mass for us at the Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In the afternoon, we return to Paris to visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. Tonight we gather for our farewell dinner.
Return home
With a deeper love for Mary, gratitude to God, and wonderful memories of our pilgrimage, we board our plane for our flight home.
Optional post-tour extension to Rome, July 13 to 16
Explore “The Eternal City” and all the marvels Rome has to offer, including the opportunity to experience a Papal Audience with the Holy Father. Visit important Catholic sites such as the Holy Stairs and the Minor Basilicas.
You’ll also explore historic landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain. Tour the Catacombs of Rome, the world’s largest underground Christian burial site. Immerse yourself in the rich culture, art, and cuisine of Italy on this unforgettable Catholic pilgrimage.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in France
Four-star hotels throughout: two nights in Lourdes, one in Toulouse, one in Ars-sur-Formans and three in Paris. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“It was so nice not to have to worry about any details, they took care of everything!”
“Each site was thought out about why and how to pray there.”
“I am personally grateful for your considerable time and effort in making the trip a successful and prayerful experience.”
Questions pilgrims ask
Short answers to what most people want to know before they put down a deposit.
It is a touring pilgrimage by motorcoach, with a short flight from Toulouse to Lyon and long coach days from Ars to Paris and from Paris to Lisieux. Expect about 1 to 2 miles of walking on a typical day. Days usually start around 7am and end back at the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. Most walking is around the shrines, with some slopes and stairs at Lourdes.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $1,000, or share a room. On the optional Rome extension, the single room supplement is $400. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If we cannot find a match by April 6, 2027, the single room supplement applies. Couples, families, friends and singles are all welcome, and plenty of pilgrims come on their own.
Lunches, donations at Masses, souvenirs and laundry, and the cost of a passport if you need one. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips are at your discretion: as a guide, $8 to $10 per person per day for your tour guide and $6 to $8 for your driver. Travel insurance if you choose it, and a 3% fee if you pay by card. Abroad, we recommend paying for most things by credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere and comes with protection that cash does not; bring a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (euros in France and Italy), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to April 6, 2027 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
Elizabeth Poole-Sliman, Spiritual Guide at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, leads the group from the parish.
More answers in the FAQ below and in our Support Center, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Price per person
Per person, including roundtrip group airfare. Premium economy and business class are available: call us for pricing.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, tell us when you book and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of April 6, 2027, the single room supplement will apply.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 per person is non-refundable.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Lourdes, Ars, Lisieux and Paris
July 5 to 13, 2027, with Elizabeth Poole-Sliman and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Secure your spot today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Frequently asked questions
This is an active program that covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. You should be able to walk 1 to 2 miles a day at a moderate pace, with uneven surfaces, stairs, cobblestones and some slopes. The route includes a short flight from Toulouse to Lyon and long coach days from Ars to Paris and from Paris to Lisieux.
July in France is usually warm to hot, with long days. Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, can see afternoon showers and storms. Bring light layers for the evening processions, a rain jacket or umbrella and comfortable walking shoes.
Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date, and passport cards are not accepted for international travel. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure. Entry rules for Europe can change, so we will let you know before departure if anything new applies to your trip.
An optional extension from July 13 to 16, 2027, after the pilgrimage, priced at $1,495 per person sharing, with a $400 single room supplement. Tell us at registration if you would like to add it.
Yes. The price includes group airfare, so call us for a price without flights. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s in Lourdes on July 6 and its departure from Paris on July 13.
Final payment is due on April 6, 2027, 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.
Shrines of France with St. Francis Chapel, Boston, MA
Shrines of France
Eleven days in France, with four nights at Lourdes, St. Thérèse at Lisieux, the Normandy beaches, Chartres and Paris, and daily Mass.
Your chaplain
Fr. Jeremy Paulin, O.M.V.
Director, St. Francis Chapel
Fr. Jeremy Paulin is a priest of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and the director of St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center.
“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady to St. Bernadette, Lourdes, March 25, 1858
Our Lady gave her name at the sixteenth apparition, and the basilica above the Grotto bears it. We spend four nights at Lourdes, with Mass at the Grotto and the evening candlelight procession.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception · Lourdes
France, September 13 to 23, 2027
Eleven days, nine nights in Lourdes, Lisieux and Paris, with the Normandy beaches and Chartres along the way, and Mass each day.
Begins in Lourdes and ends in Paris
OvernightVisit
Nights: 4 Lourdes, 2 Lisieux, 3 Paris.
Departure
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to France.
Arrival in Lourdes
Upon arrival at Pau or Toulouse Airport, our local professional tour escort will greet us and accompany us by motorcoach. After check-in, we have time to relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, we have the opportunity to join the Candlelight Marian Procession and the praying of the Rosary (April through October only).
Lourdes
We spend the day in prayer and pilgrimage at the Lourdes sanctuary, where Our Lady appeared eighteen times to the young Bernadette Soubirous beginning in 1858. We celebrate Mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, the very site of the apparitions, and participate in the water gesture, washing our hands and face and drinking from the miraculous spring. We walk the life-size Stations of the Cross overlooking the Grotto, meditating on the Passion of Our Lord, and visit the Basilica of St. Pius X. This afternoon we join the Eucharistic Procession before returning to our hotel with time to rest before dinner. This evening we return once more to the Candlelight Marian Procession and the praying of the Rosary (April through October only).
Lourdes
We spend a second full day at the Lourdes sanctuary. A video presentation this morning tells the story of Bernadette and the apparitions in fuller detail before we visit Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the Cachot, the abandoned prison cell where her impoverished family lived at the time of the apparitions. We continue to the Carmelite Monastery and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, its lower basilica adorned with mosaics recalling the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. We celebrate Mass once more at the Grotto before an afternoon of personal prayer and reflection. This evening we gather once more for the Candlelight Marian Procession and the praying of the Rosary (April through October only).
Lourdes, Free Day
Today is set aside as a free day in Lourdes. After breakfast we celebrate Mass together at the Sanctuary, and the rest of the day is ours to spend with Our Lady: returning to the Grotto of Massabielle to pray, kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, walking the Stations of the Cross again at our own pace, or simply resting in the quiet of the Pyrenees. This evening we join the faithful once more for the Candlelight Marian Procession and the praying of the Rosary, closing our time in Lourdes in prayer before Our Lady.
Lourdes, Paris & Lisieux
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Paris, continuing on by motorcoach to Lisieux. According to Pope Pius X, St. Thérèse of Lisieux was the greatest saint of modern times, and her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity comes alive as we walk in the great saint’s footsteps. We visit the Basilica of St. Thérèse, its magnificent mosaics and stained glass, and celebrate Mass here before continuing to Les Buissonnets, the family home where relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to St. Thérèse are preserved. We then check in to our hotel, with time to rest before dinner.
Lisieux, Normandy Landing Beaches & American Cemetery
Following breakfast, we visit the Carmelite Convent, which St. Thérèse entered in 1888 and where she is now buried. Our group celebrates Sunday Mass before traveling to the Normandy landing beaches, site of the largest seaborne invasion in history. We continue to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, honoring the American troops who died in Europe during World War II, pausing in prayer and thanksgiving for their courage. We return to Lisieux in the late afternoon, with time to rest before dinner.
Lisieux, Chartres & Paris
After an early breakfast, we depart for Chartres, home to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres and its incredible stained glass windows from the 12th and 13th centuries, called by UNESCO the high point of French Gothic art and a masterpiece. We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral and venerate the precious relic of the Veil of Our Lady, displayed at the back of the main altar. Following free time for lunch in the town of Chartres, we continue to Paris for hotel check-in and free time before dinner.
Paris, Montmartre, Sacré-Coeur & Seine Dinner Cruise
Following breakfast, we begin our time in Paris at the magnificent Sacré-Coeur Basilica atop Montmartre Hill. Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Basilica was begun in 1875 as an act of national penance and completed in 1914. We take in the extraordinary artwork and architecture of the Basilica, including the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ and the remarkable Grand Organ, and we celebrate Mass in the Crypt. Time permitting, we may ascend to the Dome for a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. We then board a bus tour to see some of the most recognizable symbols of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées before returning to our hotel with time to rest. This evening we board our dinner cruise on the Seine.
Paris, Miraculous Medal, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & Farewell Banquet
After a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on the Rue du Bac, where we celebrate Mass and have the opportunity to view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré. We continue on foot to the nearby Church of St. Vincent de Paul before visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the most incredible churches in the world. Just steps away on the Île de la Cité, we visit Sainte-Chapelle, built by King Louis IX in the 13th century to house the Crown of Thorns. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, with time to rest and pack before our farewell banquet at the hotel this evening, giving thanks together for the graces of our pilgrimage.
Paris, Return Home
After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we transfer by motorcoach to the Paris airport for our return flight home.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in France
Four nights in Lourdes, two in Lisieux and three in Paris. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“The staff is always responsive when making arrangements and especially air travel.”
“They go out of their way to accommodate the group’s needs.”
“The entire trip from start to finish went smoothly.”
Questions pilgrims ask
Short answers to what most people want to know before they put down a deposit.
It is a touring pilgrimage by motorcoach, with a morning flight from Lourdes to Paris. Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical day. Days usually start around 7am and end back at the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. The Stations of the Cross at Lourdes climb a wooded hillside, and the evening processions mean some late nights.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $950, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If we cannot find a match by June 15, 2027, the single room supplement applies. Couples, families, friends and singles are all welcome, and plenty of pilgrims come on their own.
Lunches, donations at Masses, souvenirs and laundry, and the cost of a passport if you need one. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips are at your discretion: as a guide, €10 per person per day for your tour escort, €5 per person per day for your driver and €2 per person per tour for local guides. Travel insurance if you choose it, and a 3% fee if you pay by card. Abroad, we recommend paying for most things by credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere and comes with protection that cash does not; bring a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (euros in France), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to June 15, 2027 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
Fr. Jeremy Paulin, O.M.V., director of St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center, leads the group from St. Francis Chapel.
More answers in the FAQ below and in our Support Center, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Price per person
Per person, including roundtrip group airfare. Airfare is available from other cities.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, tell us when you book and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of June 15, 2027, the single room supplement will apply.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 of the $450 deposit is non-refundable.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Lourdes, Lisieux and Paris
September 13 to 23, 2027, with St. Francis Chapel and Fr. Jeremy Paulin. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Frequently asked questions
This is an active program that covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. You should be able to walk 2 to 3 miles a day at a moderate pace, with uneven surfaces, stairs, cobblestones and some slopes. The Stations of the Cross at Lourdes climb a wooded hillside, and the evening processions mean some late nights.
Expect mild days and cool evenings, with a good chance of rain at Lourdes in the foothills of the Pyrenees and in Normandy. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket or umbrella and comfortable walking shoes.
Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date, and passport cards are not accepted for international travel. US citizens do not currently need a visa for a short visit to France. The European Union is introducing ETIAS, an online travel authorization for visitors who do not need a visa; if it applies to our dates, we will tell you how to apply. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure.
Rates are per person based on two pilgrims sharing a room. Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you are travelling alone we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender; if we cannot, the single room supplement applies.
Yes. The land-only price is $4,400 per person. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s at Pau or Toulouse on September 14 and its departure from Paris on September 23.
Final payment is due on June 15, 2027, 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.
Marian Shrines with St. John the Evangelist, Columbia, Maryland
Marian Shrines
Eleven days from Lisbon to Paris, by way of Fátima, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Lourdes and the Rue du Bac, with Fr. Mel Portula, CICM, and Mass each day.
Your chaplain
Fr. Mel Portula, CICM
Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, Columbia, Maryland
Fr. Mel Portula is pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, Maryland, in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is a priest of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), known in the United States as Missionhurst.
“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady to St. Bernadette, Lourdes, March 25, 1858
The name Our Lady gave at the Grotto of Massabielle. We spend two nights in Lourdes, celebrating Mass at the Sanctuary, praying at the Grotto and joining the candlelight procession each evening.
The Grotto of Massabielle · Lourdes
Portugal, Spain & France, September 20 to 30, 2027
Eleven days, nine nights in Fátima, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Lourdes and Paris, with Lisbon, Porto, the Camino and Toulouse along the way, and Mass each day.
Begins in Lisbon and ends in Paris
OvernightVisit
Nights: 2 Fátima, 1 Santiago de Compostela, 1 Burgos, 2 Lourdes, 3 Paris.
Departure
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.
Arrival in Lisbon & transfer to Fátima
Upon arrival in Lisbon, we meet our professional tour guide for a brief tour of the city before continuing on to Fátima. We stop first at St. Anthony’s Church, built on the site where the beloved saint was born in 1195; though he is known the world over as St. Anthony of Padua, patron of lost things and causes, he was in fact a son of Lisbon, and we pause here in quiet prayer before continuing to St. Jerome’s Monastery, raised in thanksgiving to Our Lady for the safe voyage of Vasco da Gama on the expedition that first linked Europe and Asia by sea, its cloisters a masterwork of Manueline stone carving. We then board our motorcoach for the journey to Fátima. After checking in to our hotel, we gather for a welcome dinner.
Fátima
We celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima and visit the tombs of St. Francisco, St. Jacinta, and Sister Lúcia, followed by Aljustrel and Valinhos. Afternoon free for private devotions. Following dinner, we join pilgrims for the Candlelight Marian Procession.
Fátima, Porto, Camino de Santiago & Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast and check-out, we depart for Porto, Portugal’s historic second city on the banks of the Douro River. Here we enjoy a panoramic tour and stop for lunch. Continuing north into Spain, we stop along the Camino de Santiago where those who wish may walk a short bit of the pilgrim trail, following in the footsteps of centuries of faithful who have done the same. We continue to Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela & Burgos
After breakfast, a guided walking tour leads us through the medieval streets to the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. We venerate the relics of St. James the Apostle and celebrate Mass in the Basilica. After lunch on our own, we check out and travel to Burgos, in the region of Castilla y León.
Burgos & Lourdes
After breakfast, we visit the breathtaking Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring its fifteen chapels including the Chapel of San Enrique, home to the renowned Ecce Homo statue. We celebrate Mass here before checking out and journeying through scenic countryside into France, arriving in the sacred town of Lourdes. After checking in, we celebrate Mass at the Lourdes Shrine. Following dinner, we join pilgrims for the Candlelight Marian Procession.
Lourdes
We celebrate Mass at the Basilica and tour the Sanctuary, including the Grotto of Massabielle and the Upper Basilica, with an opportunity for the Water Gesture. We follow in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, visiting her birthplace and the Cachot. Afternoon free for devotions. Following dinner, we join the Candlelight Marian Procession.
Lourdes, Toulouse & Paris
After breakfast and check-out, we travel to Toulouse, where we visit the Basilica of St. Sernin, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, and celebrate Mass. After lunch on our own, we transfer to the train station and board our train north to Paris.
Paris, Rue du Bac & Saint-Sulpice
We visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal on the Rue du Bac, where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré, and celebrate Mass. We then visit Église Saint-Sulpice and take a panoramic tour of Paris ending at the Eiffel Tower.
Paris, Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle
We celebrate Mass in the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur on Montmartre Hill. We visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and Sainte-Chapelle, with time for shopping or free exploration in the afternoon. Farewell dinner.
Return home
With hearts renewed by the intercession of Our Lady of Fátima, St. James the Apostle, and Our Lady of Lourdes, we transfer to the airport in Paris for our return flight home.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in Portugal, Spain and France
Four-star hotels throughout: two nights in Fátima, one in Santiago de Compostela, one in Burgos, two in Lourdes and three in Paris. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“Thank you, Canterbury Pilgrimages, for organizing the Diocese of Knoxville’s trip to Fatima and Lourdes.”
“It was so nice not to have to worry about any details, they took care of everything!”
“Each one has been beautifully arranged and managed from start to finish.”
Questions pilgrims ask
Short answers to what most people want to know before they put down a deposit.
It is a touring pilgrimage by motorcoach, with a train from Toulouse to Paris and long coach days from Fátima to Santiago and from Burgos to Lourdes. Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical day, with cobblestones in Santiago and Paris, the hill at Sacré-Cœur, and an optional short walk on the Camino. Days usually start with a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $975, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If we cannot find a match by June 22, 2027, the single room supplement applies. Couples, families, friends and singles are all welcome, and plenty of pilgrims come on their own.
Lunches, donations at Masses, souvenirs and laundry. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips for restaurant and hotel staff are included; tips for your tour director and driver are at your discretion: as a guide, $8 to $10 per person per day for your tour guide and $6 to $8 for your driver. Travel insurance if you choose it, and a 3% fee if you pay by card. Abroad, we recommend paying for most things by credit card, which is accepted almost everywhere and comes with protection that cash does not; bring a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (euros in Portugal, Spain and France), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to June 22, 2027 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
Fr. Mel Portula, CICM, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, Maryland, leads the group from his parish.
More answers in the FAQ below and in our Support Center, or call us at +1 (800) 653-0017.
Price per person
Per person, including roundtrip group airfare. Premium economy and business class are available: call us for pricing.
Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you would like us to match you with a roommate, tell us when you book and we will do our best. Please note that if we cannot find you a match by the final payment date of June 22, 2027, the single room supplement will apply.
Couples, families, friends, singles, all are welcome!
Some pilgrims come as a couple, some bring the whole family, some come with a friend from the parish, and plenty come on their own. Everyone is welcome.
$200 per person is non-refundable.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
Check
ACH bank transfer
Zelle
Cash, money order or cashier’s check
Fátima, Santiago, Lourdes and Paris
September 20 to 30, 2027, with St. John the Evangelist, Columbia, Maryland, and Fr. Mel Portula, CICM. Reserve today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Questions? Call +1 (800) 653-0017 or email hello@canterburypilgrimages.com.
Secure your spot today with a $450 deposit per pilgrim.
Frequently asked questions
This is an active program that covers a good amount of ground each day. Expect a wake-up call around 7am, departure by 9am and a return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm. You should be able to walk 2 to 3 miles a day at a moderate pace, with uneven surfaces, stairs, cobblestones and some slopes. There are several long coach days, from Fátima to Santiago and from Burgos to Lourdes, and an afternoon train from Toulouse to Paris.
Late September is usually mild across Portugal, Spain and France, with warm afternoons and cooler evenings. Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes see rain often, so bring a light rain jacket or umbrella, layers for the evening processions and comfortable walking shoes.
Yes. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date, and passport cards are not accepted for international travel. We need your passport details at least 90 days before departure. Entry rules for Europe can change, so we will let you know before departure if anything new applies to your trip.
Rates are per person based on two pilgrims sharing a room. Shared rooms are always doubles with two beds. If you are travelling alone we will try to match you with a roommate of the same gender; if we cannot, the single room supplement applies.
Yes. The price includes group airfare; if you book your own flights, the price is reduced by $1,000. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s in Lisbon on September 21 and its departure from Paris on September 30.
Final payment is due on June 22, 2027, 90 days before departure. Payment plans are available if you would like to make smaller payments before then.
We strongly encourage travel insurance for all of our pilgrims, and we partner with Allianz Travel Insurance to offer affordable coverage. Most of our pilgrims choose the Classic Plan. Insurance can be quoted and purchased after registration.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or excursion but a unique spiritual journey that provides many opportunities to deepen your relationship with God and enrich your Catholic faith by bringing Scripture to life. Pilgrimages offer the opportunity to let Christ draw you near.
More questions are answered in our Support Center, covering booking, payments, travel insurance, passports and what to expect on pilgrimage.