Marian Shrines with Fr. Roy Eco
Marian Shrines
Eleven days from Fátima to Barcelona, by way of Santarém, Lisbon, Lourdes, Zaragoza and Montserrat, with Mass each day. We arrive in Fátima on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima and the 47th anniversary of Fr. Roy Eco’s ordination.
Your spiritual director
Fr. Roy Eco
Fr. Roy Eco was ordained a priest on May 13, 1980, the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima. This pilgrimage marks the 47th anniversary of his ordination, which we celebrate with Mass at Fátima on the feast itself.
“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady to St. Bernadette, Lourdes, March 25, 1858
The name Our Lady gave at the Grotto of Massabielle. Between Fátima and the Pillar at Zaragoza, we spend two nights in Lourdes, celebrating Mass at the Sanctuary, praying at the Grotto and joining the candlelight procession.
The Grotto of Massabielle · Lourdes
Portugal, France & Spain, May 12 to 22, 2027
Eleven days, nine nights in Fátima, Lisbon, Lourdes, Zaragoza and Barcelona, with Santarém, Sintra and Montserrat along the way, and Mass each day.
Begins in Lisbon and ends in Barcelona
OvernightVisit
Nights: 2 Fátima, 2 Lisbon, 2 Lourdes, 1 Zaragoza, 2 Barcelona.
Departure
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.
Arrival in Lisbon & Fátima
Upon arrival at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, our local professional tour escort will greet us and accompany us by motorcoach north to Fátima, where Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children between May and October of 1917.
After check-in, we gather this evening for a special Mass celebrated by our chaplain, Fr. Roy Eco, in honor of the 47th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Fr. Roy was ordained on May 13, 1980, the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima, and there is no more fitting place in the world to mark that anniversary than at the shrine of the very feast on which he was called to the priesthood.
Following Mass, we gather for a welcome dinner before joining the faithful for the Candlelight Rosary Procession, celebrated this evening on the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima.
Fátima
Today is devoted entirely to the Fátima sanctuary. We begin with Mass at the Capelinha das Aparições, built on the very spot where Our Lady appeared to Lúcia dos Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. We then visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the tombs of St. Jacinta, St. Francisco, and Sr. Lúcia invite quiet prayer. Continuing to the Igreja Matriz de Fátima, we visit the parish church where the three shepherd children were baptized. This evening we join the faithful for the Candlelight Marian Procession.
Fátima, Santarém, St. Anthony’s & Lisbon
This morning we make our way along the Way of the Cross through Aljustrel, Valinhos, and Loca do Cabeço, the sites of the apparitions and the appearances of the Angel of Peace, walking in the footsteps of the three shepherd children across the same countryside they traversed over a century ago. We then begin our journey south toward Lisbon, stopping in Santarém to venerate one of the most significant Eucharistic miracles in the history of the Church. In the 13th century, a consecrated host began to bleed and has been venerated at the Church of St. Stephen ever since, drawing pilgrims for nearly eight centuries. Continuing south to Lisbon, we celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Anthony of Lisbon, built on the site where the beloved Doctor of the Church was born in 1195, before checking in to our hotel for dinner.
Sintra, Sé & Lisbon
This morning we journey to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage town, to visit the historic Moorish Castle, built during the 8th and 9th centuries, its ramparts offering sweeping views across the surrounding countryside. We then have time to explore Sintra’s charming town center before returning to Lisbon. In the afternoon we visit the Lisbon Cathedral, the Sé, the oldest church in the city dating to 1147.
Lisbon & Lourdes
After breakfast, we transfer to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport for our flight to Toulouse, France. Upon arrival, we board our motorcoach for the drive to Lourdes, arriving in the evening. Lourdes is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world, the site where Our Lady appeared eighteen times to the young St. Bernadette Soubirous between February and July of 1858. Those who wish may join the faithful this evening for the Candlelight Marian Procession at the shrine.
Lourdes
We spend the day immersed in the grace of the Lourdes sanctuary. We begin with Mass before visiting the Grotto of Massabielle, where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette and revealed the miraculous spring whose waters have been associated with countless healings. We tour St. Bernadette’s childhood home and the basilica grounds, visit the Carmelite Monastery, and enter the underground Basilica of St. Pius X, one of the largest churches in the world, capable of holding 25,000 pilgrims. The afternoon includes the healing baths and the Eucharistic Procession before we gather this evening for the Candlelight Marian Procession.
Lourdes & Zaragoza
After breakfast we bid farewell to Lourdes and cross into Spain, making our way to Zaragoza, home to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. This magnificent shrine stands on the site where Our Lady appeared to the Apostle James on the banks of the Ebro River in 40 AD, before her Assumption into heaven, making it the oldest Marian shrine in the world. We celebrate Mass here and venerate the small Romanesque statue of Our Lady atop the pillar she is said to have left as a sign of her presence.
Zaragoza, Montserrat & Barcelona
Following breakfast we depart for Montserrat, the dramatic mountain monastery of Catalonia rising nearly 4,000 feet above the surrounding plains. The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, founded in the 11th century, is home to La Moreneta, the beloved Black Madonna, a Romanesque statue of Our Lady venerated since the 12th century and considered the patron of Catalonia. We celebrate Mass and venerate the image before continuing to Barcelona for hotel check-in and dinner.
Barcelona & Sagrada Família
This morning we visit the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary unfinished masterpiece, under construction since 1882 and consecrated as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Its soaring towers and intricate facades, drawing on Gothic and Art Nouveau traditions, are a breathtaking meditation in stone on the life of Christ and the mysteries of the faith. We celebrate Mass here before enjoying a guided tour of Barcelona, taking in the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, and the city’s rich Catalan heritage.
Return home
With hearts renewed by the grace of pilgrimage and the intercession of Our Lady of Fátima, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Our Lady of the Pillar, we transfer to Barcelona’s El Prat Airport for our return flight home to the United States.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in Portugal, France and Spain
Four-star hotels throughout: two nights in Fátima, two in Lisbon, two in Lourdes, one in Zaragoza and two in Barcelona. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“Your professionalism and attention to detail were appreciated.”
“This was the trip of a lifetime and excellent customer service.”
“In each instance they stayed in contact with me until I was picked up and where I needed to be.”
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 flight from Lisbon to Toulouse and long coach days from Lourdes to Zaragoza and on to Barcelona. 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 Way of the Cross at Fátima is on country paths, and Sintra’s Moorish Castle and Montserrat involve slopes and steps.
You can have a room to yourself, with a single room supplement of $999, 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 February 11, 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 Portugal, France and Spain), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to February 11, 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. Roy Eco leads the group as spiritual director, marking the 47th anniversary of his ordination at Fátima on May 13.
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 from Orlando (MCO). Flying from another city? We can arrange air from your airport; call us for a quote. 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 February 11, 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, Lourdes and the Pillar
May 12 to 22, 2027, with Fr. Roy Eco. 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. The Way of the Cross at Fátima is a walk on country paths, and there is a flight from Lisbon to Toulouse and long coach days from Lourdes to Zaragoza and on to Barcelona.
May is usually mild and pleasant in Portugal and Spain, with warm afternoons and cool evenings. Lourdes, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, is cooler and often rainy, so bring layers and a light rain jacket for the evening processions, and comfortable walking shoes.
Yes. We arrive in Fátima on May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima, celebrate Mass that evening for Fr. Roy’s anniversary and join the Candlelight Rosary Procession. The feast draws very large crowds to the sanctuary, so expect busy squares and some waiting.
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.
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 May 13 and its departure from Barcelona on May 22. If you would like group air from a different airport, call us for a quote.
Final payment is due on February 11, 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.
Spain: In the Footsteps of Saint Ferdinand with Father Kyle Nesrsta
In the Footsteps of Saint Ferdinand
Twelve days through Castile and Andalusia, from Valladolid, Burgos and León to Toledo, Córdoba and Seville, where we pray at the tomb of St. Ferdinand III, with daily Mass.
Your chaplain
Fr. Kyle Nesrsta
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8
St. Ferdinand III united the crowns of Castile and León and was canonized in 1671. His incorrupt body rests in the Royal Chapel of Seville Cathedral, where we pray on October 17.
The Plaza de España · Seville
Spain, October 8 to 19, 2027
Twelve days, ten nights in Madrid, Valladolid, Burgos, León, Salamanca, Córdoba and Seville, with Oña, Zamora, Toledo and Carmona along the way, and Mass each day.
Begins and ends in Madrid
OvernightVisit
Nights: 3 Madrid, 1 Valladolid, 1 Burgos, 1 León, 1 Salamanca, 1 Córdoba, 2 Seville.
Departure from the USA
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart for our overnight flight to Madrid.
Arrival in Madrid
Upon arrival at Madrid Airport, our local tour escort will greet us and accompany us by motorcoach to our hotel. After check-in, we gather for a welcome dinner.
Madrid & Valladolid
After breakfast, we depart for Valladolid, the royal city of Castile where Saint Ferdinand III was proclaimed king in 1217. We explore the Plaza Mayor, among the first great arcaded plazas in Spain, and the historic center. We celebrate Mass before our first overnight in Castile.
Valladolid, Burgos & Oña
Following breakfast, we travel east to Burgos, a city central to Catholic Spain and to the reign of Saint Ferdinand III. We visit the Burgos Cathedral, begun in 1221, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial place of El Cid. We continue north to the Monastery of San Salvador de Oña, founded in 1011 and renowned for its Benedictine history and Marian devotion. We celebrate Mass before returning to Burgos.
Burgos & León
After breakfast, we travel west to León, capital of the medieval kingdom. Already King of Castile, Saint Ferdinand III inherited León in 1230, uniting the two kingdoms permanently. We visit the Basilica of San Isidoro, a foremost monument of Spanish Romanesque, home to the Royal Pantheon and the relics of Saint Isidore of Seville. We celebrate Mass before continuing to the León Cathedral, a French Gothic masterpiece renowned for its stained glass.
León, Zamora & Salamanca
This morning we depart for Zamora, set above the Duero River and home to one of the richest concentrations of Romanesque churches in Europe. We visit the Cathedral of El Salvador, whose scaled dome reflects Byzantine influences carried along the pilgrim roads. We celebrate Mass before continuing south to Salamanca for a walking tour of its golden sandstone center, taking in the Plaza Mayor, the historic University of Salamanca, and the twin cathedrals.
Salamanca & Madrid
Following breakfast, we depart for Madrid. Upon arrival we enjoy lunch before a tour of the capital, including the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, consecrated by Saint John Paul II in 1993. We celebrate Mass here.
Madrid, Toledo & Córdoba
After breakfast, we travel to Toledo, the Primate See of Spain, set above the Tagus River. We visit the Toledo Cathedral, one of the great High Gothic cathedrals of Europe and seat of the Primate of Spain, and walk its historic center. We celebrate Mass before continuing south to Córdoba.
Córdoba, Carmona & Seville
We begin with Mass in Córdoba before visiting the Mosque-Cathedral, consecrated as a Catholic cathedral after the city’s reconquest under Saint Ferdinand III in 1236. We continue to Carmona to visit the Church of Santa María, built upon a former mosque. Arriving in Seville, we walk along the Guadalquivir River, central to the city’s capture by Saint Ferdinand in 1248.
Seville & Saint Ferdinand
This morning we visit the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, where we venerate the incorrupt body of Saint Ferdinand III in the Royal Chapel. Time is given for prayer at his tomb before we celebrate Mass. We then visit the Real Alcázar, a Moorish palace adapted by Christian kings and still in royal use, before walking through the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Seville & Madrid
We celebrate Mass before departing Seville for Madrid by motorcoach, pausing for lunch along the way. Upon arrival we check in, with time at leisure as the schedule allows, before our farewell dinner.
Return Home
With hearts renewed by the grace of pilgrimage and the intercession of Saint Ferdinand III, we transfer to Madrid Airport for our return flight home.
What’s included
Everything below is covered by the package price.
Your hotels in Spain
Three-star hotels throughout: three nights in Madrid (on arrival, mid-tour and the last night), one each in Valladolid, Burgos, León, Salamanca and Córdoba, and two in Seville. Hotels are subject to final confirmation; if a hotel changes, it is replaced with one of the same standard.
“Each site was thought out about why and how to pray there.”
“They are professional and prompt in responding to any and all needs and concerns.”
“If you want a pilgrimage that’s seamless, historical and actually fun, book these guys.”
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 several long drives between cities. Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical day, mostly on walking tours of old towns such as Salamanca, Toledo and Seville, with cobblestones, some stairs and the hills of Toledo. 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 $1,300, 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 July 10, 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 Spain), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
Cancel in writing. Up to July 10, 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. Kyle Nesrsta leads the group as chaplain.
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 from Austin (AUS). Flying from another city? We can arrange air from your airport; call us for a quote.
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 July 10, 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
Spain in the footsteps of St. Ferdinand
October 8 to 19, 2027, with Fr. Kyle Nesrsta. 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, with several long motorcoach days between cities. 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.
Expect cool to mild days in Castile, with chilly mornings in Burgos and León, and warmer, often sunny days in Córdoba and Seville. Bring layers, a light jacket 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 Spain. 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 $4,299 per person. Tell us at registration so we can line your arrival up with the group’s in Madrid on October 9 and its departure from Madrid on October 19. Group air from other airports can be arranged; call us for a quote.
Final payment is due on July 10, 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.