Marian Shrines
LOURDES
Since the Virgin Mary appeared 19 times to Bernadette in 1858, close to five million pilgrims visit the shrine at Lourdes annually. Many of them seek cures in the healing waters of the miraculous spring that appeared when Bernadette dug at the ground at Mary's instructions.
FATIMA
Fatima has been an important pilgrimage site since May 13, 1917, when the Blessed Virgin appeared to three young children, asking them to pray for world peace. She asked them to return on the 13th day of each month. The children did, an ever-increasing crowd joining them, until October 13 when she revealed herself as Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope John Paul II beatified two of the children, Jacinto and Francisco (who died several years after the apparitions), on May 13, 2000. The third seer, now Sr. Lucia, was present for the ceremony.
KNOCK SHRINE
Ireland's Knock Shrine, located in County Mayo, attracts 1.5 million pilgrims annually. The Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church on August 21, 1879. Fifteen villagers witnessed the apparition and since then Knock has become an internationally known Marian Shrine. Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage to Knock in 1979 to commemorate the centennial of the apparition, and inspired even deeper devotion to the shrine. A typical pilgrimage to the Shrine includes a visit to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and an opportunity to pray to Our Lady of Knock.
For a detailed itinerary and quote with roundtrip air transportation, contact Nawas.
8 Days Fatima & Lourdes
Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima ... on to Burgos to visit its famed Cathedral ... spend three nights in Lourdes with time to visit and pray in the Grotto and other holy sites, attend the Procession and more.
8 Days Paris & Lourdes
Start in Lourdes to relive the story of St. Bernadette and pray at the shrine ... drive to Nevers to visit St. Gildard Convent where St. Bernadette lived and died ... end in Paris where you will visit Notre Dame Cathedral.
11 Days Fatima, Lourdes & Santiago
Start in Lisbon ... pray at the Shrines of Our Lady in Fatima and Lourdes ... visit the famed pilgrimage center of Santiago de Compostela ... visit Avila, birthplace of St. Therese ... see Madrid, Spain’s impressive capital.
11 Days Lourdes & Italy
Pray in Lourdes ... visit the medieval fortress city of Carcassone ... see Avignon and the old Papal Palace ... view the Renaissance artwork in Florence ... visit St. Francis’ town of Assisi and spend three nights in Eternal Rome.
11 Days Lourdes & France
An inspiring pilgrimage including Lourdes and St. Gildard Convent in Nevers ... visit Lisieux, home of St. Therese ... see Mont St. Michel ... tour the Chateaux country, the beaches of Normandy and Paris.
11 Days Fatima, Lourdes & Paris
Highlights include Lisbon ... worship in Fatima ... Burgos to visit the Cathedral ... stay in Lourdes to pray and take part in the Procession and Torchlight Parade ... plus Nevers and Paris to visit Our Lady of Notre Dame and more.
11 Days Emerald Ireland
Tour the Connemara region where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights ... celebrate Mass at Knock, Ireland’s premier Marian shrine ... experience the vibrant cities of Dublin, Killarney and Limerick and circle the Ring of Kerry.