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A 12-Day
Pilgrimage
to Francewith Fr. Jamie Weber
October 17-28, 2023
Only $4,350 per person
Double Occupancy -
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The Shrines of France
Join Fr. Jamie Weber on a pilgrimage to the Shrines of France!
A pilgrimage to France drops you into a world of unsurpassed beauty, exquisite tastes, and a deep reminder of the great faith of the saints.
Whether it’s the moment you visit the Lourdes baths, the grandeur of French cathedrals, or a conversation over a bottle of Bordeaux, you’ll come to believe God has always been present, and is truly restoring all things.
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What's Included
- Round-trip flight from Cincinnati to Paris & Toulouse
- Accommodations at the best 4-star hotels
- Paris (2 nights), Mont-Saint-Michel (1 night), Tours (1 night), Nevers (1 night), Ars-sur-Formans (1 night), Avignon (1 night), Lourdes (3 nights)
- Luggage handling (1 piece)
- Full French breakfast each morning
- 6 Dinners (starter, main dish, dessert)
- Private airport transfers in France
- Ground transportation in a deluxe motor coach with A/C
- Stocked with bottled water
- Admission tickets and private tours through all shrines, monasteries, abbeys, and historical sites on our itinerary
- Daily Mass, spiritual activities, and devotions led by Fr. Jamie
- A dedicated pilgrimage director and local guide
- Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Not included:- All Lunches and 4 dinners (Paris and Lourdes)
- Tips to driver and local guide
- Travel insurance (highly encouraged)
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Our Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2 - Oct 17 & 18
- Day 3 - Oct 19
- Day 4 - Oct 20
- Day 5 - Oct 21
- Day 6 - Oct 22
- Day 7 - Oct 23
- Day 8 - Oct 24
- Day 9 - Oct 25
- Day 10 - Oct 26
- Day 11 & 12 - Oct 27 & 28
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Across the Atlantic ~ Arrival in ParisDepart Cincinnati today on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight to France, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.
Upon arrival in Paris, you will be welcomed at the airport exit by your dedicated pilgrimage director and local guide. We will board our luxury motorcoach and take a panoramic bus tour of Paris, providing a first look over most of the capital's monuments. On the Ile de la Cité, in the historic heart of Paris, is the cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of gothic art. The project to build this splendid cathedral began in 1160 when the bishop of Paris wanted a new cathedral for his diocese dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
After lunch, we will make our way to the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre (Sacre Coeur) which hosts one of the most amazing views over Paris. We will celebrate Mass and meet with one of the sisters of the basilica. After checking into our hotel, pilgrims are free to explore Paris and have dinner on their own. Overnight in Paris.
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A Day in ParisFollowing breakfast, we will make our way to the chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a highly spiritual Parisian place where several authenticated apparitions of the Virgin Mary took place in 1830. We will be able to discover the life of Saint Catherine Labouré to whom the Virgin Mary appeared. Each pilgrim can come to pray in the same spot of the apparitions or
in front of the Saint's reliquary. After our time here, we will make our way to the Chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul to venerate the relics of this saint and celebrate Mass.
Following lunch, we will make our way to the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel), a real treasure hidden on the island of the Ile de la Cité in the center of Paris. This masterpiece was built by King Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns. The chapel is an architectural feat with nothing to compare it to in the world.
The rest of the afternoon is scheduled free time to explore the parts of Paris that interest you the most. Enjoy dinner on your own. Second overnight in Paris.
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The Beaches of Normandy
After breakfast in Paris, we board our luxury motorcoach and begin our journey to the Normandy Landing Beaches.
On June 6, 1944 tens of thousands of American, English, Canadian, Scots, and French soldiers landed on the beaches of the
Normandy coast to free France from the Nazi stronghold. Thousands of young soldiers died that first day in the name of liberty, the value that makes the greatness of mankind. The coast of Normandy still has the indelible scars of that event.
We will start with a stop at Benouville's bridge, most known as Pegasus bridge. We will then go to Arromanches where we will see the maritime vestiges of what made the greatest artificial port ever created. All the armored vehicles, trucks, supplies and men came into France through this port. After lunch, we will make our way to Omaha beach, the most famous of the Normandy landing beaches.
Finally, as a duty to remember and pray, we will go to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where these young soldiers are buried. Transfer to the Mont-Saint-Michel for dinner and overnight.
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Mont-Saint-MichelFollowing breakfast, we will spend the whole day exploring the breathtaking site of Le Mont-Saint-Michel. Stroll through this charming village with stone houses and narrow streets, built on a rock off the coast of Normandy and surrounded by one of the world's largest bays known for
its incoming tide. The village and the bay are listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
The visit begins with the bus drop-off in the parking lot situated 2.5 kms from the citadel. A brief walk will take us to the free shuttle-bus that takes us within 250 m of the entrance to the medieval citadel. From there, it is an easy walk through the village by the paved main street for about 200 m. For those willing, from the parish church begins the "Grand Degré", a 350-step climb up to the abbey (there is no elevator). We will celebrate Mass while here and offer some free time to explore the medieval site. Later in the afternoon, we will make our way back to the bus and transfer to Tours for dinner (included) and an overnight.
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St. Bernadette & NeversAfter breakfast, we will board our coach and transfer to Nevers. Following lunch, we continue our pilgrimage with a visit and Mass at the Sanctuary of Nevers, dedicated to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. During our time here, we will visit and venerate the Saint and her incorrupt body.
After her life in Lourdes, Bernadette wished to join the congregation of the sisters of charity, their mother house being in Nevers (about 600 km from Lourdes). She entered into the community on July 7, 1866 and lived here discretely for 13 years, far from the demands of the people after the apparitions. Bernadette was often sick and as time passed, she became sicker and sicker lending to tremendous suffering, both physical and spiritual. She put all her trust in the Crucified Christ and took care to never be either passive or turned in on herself.
After a day at the sanctuary, we will have dinner (included) and an overnight in Nevers.
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St. John Vianney & Ars-sur-Formans
Following breakfast, we board our motorcoach and transfer to Ars-sur-Formans where we will have the blessing of celebrating Mass at the Shrine of Saint John Vianney, the saint Curé d'Ars and the patron saint of priests.
The village of Ars to this day is highly influenced by this saint, he who was proclaimed universal patron saint of all priests by the Church in 2010. We will pray at his shrine, venerate his incorrupt body, visit his house, and pray in the company of the dynamic religious community. There is also a seminary, one of the most recent and flourishing in France. The sanctuary takes special attention of welcoming priests as the Curé d'Ars is their patron. After exploring the Shrine and the village, we will have dinner together (included) and an overnight.
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Avignon: The City of the PopesFollowing breakfast, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Avignon. After lunch, we will visit the famous papal palace, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Avignon became the seat of the papacy between 1309 and 1423 with the popes in
Avignon before they returned to Rome. The construction of the palace began in 1335. It is the largest gothic construction of the Middle Ages. Six conclaves were held here. The Papacy returned to Rome for political reasons and following the improvement of the relations between Catholics and Orthodox.
Today, the papal palace is open to all. It is also known for its famous festival d'Avignon, one of the most important international festivals of contemporary entertainment. We will end the evening with dinner (included) and an overnight.
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The Fortified City of CarcassonneFollowing breakfast, we will begin our journey to the fortified city of Carcassonne, exceptionally well-preserved and of rare beauty. Its visit will give you an idea of what it would have been like to live in the Middle Ages. Situated in the south of France, not far of the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, Carcassonne is known worldwide and is
listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. A nice walk will take you through small paved streets, from the chateau to the ramparts (view from the outside), passing by the basilica of Saint-Nazaire and the ancient houses. This rocky peak has been inhabited since the 4th century BCE and the town has been protected by ramparts since the 3rd century. This master-piece of military architecture is both remarkable and well-preserved. Following a free afternoon, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Lourdes for dinner (included) and an overnight.
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The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Following breakfast, we begin our pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, doorway to the Pyrenees Mountain chain. Known throughout the world, it is here that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette as the Immaculate Conception. We will walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and
visit the places where she lived: the Boly mill where she grew up and the cachot where her family had to move later on.
We will participate in a time of prayer at the grotto of the apparitions, walk the way of the cross, go to the baths, see a movie about the story of Saint Bernadette, go to confession, and participate in the candle-light procession.
Lourdes is today the third most visited pilgrimage site in the world and the second most visited town in France after Paris. The afternoon is scheduled free time to explore the sanctuary, have dinner on your own, and a second overnight in the holy city.
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Lourdes ~ The Journey Home
Today is a fully scheduled free day in the spiritual city of Lourdes. Breakfast included; lunch and dinner on your own. Final overnight in Lourdes.
After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Toulouse airport for return flight(s) home.
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"St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages excelled in the organization and execution of the travel and activity itinerary. Cody served as a prayerful, intelligent, joyful, friendly, and fully competent guide."
- Laurie Geck, Pilgrim from Derry, NH
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Registration & Payment Information
The total fee is $4,350 per person/double occupancy.
PLEASE NOTE
- There is a small number of single rooms available with a supplement of $1,000 totaling in a total fee in $5,350.
- A land-only option is also available at a reduced cost of $3,550
To register, click the button above and fill out the digital registration form. Your reservation is secured only with receipt of your $500 deposit. Payment should be made by check and mailed, along with a scanned image of your passport (picture page) to:
St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages
399 Draher Lane
Bainbridge, Ohio 45612The final payment of $3,850 is due July 17, 2023
