Shrines of France

A coach will be arranged from London to Dover for the ferry crossing to Calais. Upon arrival we take our coach to Lisieux where we meet with our English-speaking guide who will accompany us for the rest of the pilgrimage. In Lisieux you will discover the life of St. Therese who, according to Pope Pius X, was the “greatest saint of modern times”. We first visit the Basilica of St. Therese with its distinctive mosaics and stained glass windows. Mass here. After free time at lunch we then proceed to the Carmel of Lisieux. It is in this monastery that St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, canonised in 1925, spent her religious life from 1888 until her death in 1897. While in Carmel we enter the Chapel of the Tomb to view the shrine to St. Therese with her relics on display and statue shown as resting in peace. We end the day at Les Buissonnets, the Martin family home where she lived from the age of 4 until entering Carmel at 15 years old. Dinner at our hotel and overnight here.

After breakfast we travel on our coach to Paris. Our day-tour of the City of Light begins visiting the Basilica of St. Denis, built on the burial site of the famous Christian martyr now considered the patron saint of the people of France. We continue at Sacre-Coeur Basilica distinguished by its white facade and Roman-Byzantine design. Father Stephane reminds us as its rector that Sacre-Coeur is “first and foremost a shrine dedicated to the goodness and tenderness of Christ’s heart. It is a heart open to all.” We have Mass here in the crypt. After lunch we proceed to the iconic Sainte Chappelle and view the breathtaking stained glass windows within. We then visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. In 1830 the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine Laboure here, asking that a medal be made that would bestow great graces to those that wear it. Finally, we walk down the street to the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul where his body can be viewed within a silver reliquary. Drive to Amilly to check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight here.

Today we depart for the Sanctuary of Nevers to visit the former convent of Saint Gildard where St. Bernadette spent 13 years of her monastic life following the apparitions of Our Lady in the Grotto of Massabielle. We have Mass here and view her incorrupt body, visit the museum, tour the grounds and watch a short film about St. Bernadette. We then take our coach southward to our hotel in Villefranche-sur-Saone, just a short drive from Ars-sur-Formans where St. John Vianney was parish priest. Check-in, dinner and overnight here for 2 nights.

Today we discover the life of St. John Vianney. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI described him as “a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ’s flock”. We begin with Mass in the Basilica of Ars where St. John is entombed above the high altar, viewing his body here and a very special relic: the incorruptible heart of the Holy Cure. We then watch a film about his incredible life that led thousands upon thousands of people to flock to this small village in search of his spiritual guidance. St. John would often spend 16 to 18 hours a day hearing confessions. After lunch there will be free time for prayer and reflection. En route to our hotel, we will stop at the Monument de la Rencontre in memory of St. John the Cure d’Ars. Return to our hotel for our final night in France.

We check out from our hotel in the morning and proceed to the Basilica of Ars for Mass at 09:30. Depart for Calais. Depending on the ferry schedule, we may be able to visit Dijon or Reims on the way. Upon arrival in Dover, return to London by coach.