Motherland of Christianity – Europe JWT 400

16 Days Journey
Motherland of Christianity - Europe

Motherland of Christianity - Europe JWT 400

"You have nothing to worry about. The LORD is taking care of you on this journey" (Judges 18:6)

16 Days Journey to Motherland of Christianity - Europe

ITALY (Rome - Padua - Assisi - Lanciano - San Giovanni) VATICAN CITY (Papal Audience) FRANCE (Lourdes - Paris - Nevers) SPAIN (Loyola - Santiago) PORTUGAL (Fatima)

Below are the places to be visited and more....

St. Peter's Basilica
St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
Sistine Chapel-Vatican Museum
Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
St. Bernadette of Lourdes (Nevers)
Holy Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano

Holy Stairs
Colosseum - Catacombs
St. Paul outside the Walls
Trevi Fountain - Eiffel Tower
St. Ignatius Cathedral & Holy House
Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
St. James - Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Church of St. Paul at the Martyrdom (Tre Fontane)
St. Padre Pio The Church - Shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO ROME (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

Upon Arrival into Rome after completing the Immigration process then to hotel, stay overnight at Rome.

DAY 2: IN and AROUND ROME (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After breakfast proceed to Vatican City for Papal Audience followed by Vatican City tour you will be visiting Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Gallery of the Tapestries. Upon arrival at the Vatican Walls we will enter inside the Vatican Museums taking the beautiful Spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo then visit St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, back to hotel, stay overnight Rome.

DAY 3: IN and AROUND ROME (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After breakfast we begin our day with a visit to The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy, from which size it receives the appellation “major” The Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major reigns as an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman churches. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value and represent the Church’s role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome and then we continue to the Papal Basilica of St John Lateran, Arch Basilica of St John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) the basilica of Saint John Lateran was built under pope Melchiade (311-314), it’s the most ancient church in the world. Due to the fact that the pope is also the bishop of Rome, Saint John in Lateran – being seat of the bishop’s residence – is also Rome’s Cathedral. The original plan had already five aisles. The ancient church was residence of the popes until the coming back from the exile in Avignone (1377), when it was moved to the Vatican. It was pillage-stock of the Visigoths (410), the Vandals (455); the earthquake in 896 caused the central aisle roof to collapse (rebuilt under pope Sergio III in 904-911).It is here that St Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order the night before the Pope had seen a man in a dream and the man was supporting the tottering building of St John Lateran. The next day when Francis appeared before Pope Innocent, His Holiness recognized the face from the dream and consented to Francis’ request and then we will drive by the Forum,view Coliseum, and then to visit the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, housing the Tomb of St Paul the Apostle, affectionately known as the Apostle of the Gentiles, followed by the visit to Church of St Peter in Chains, featuring Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses and we proceed to Trevi Fountain, Piazza and evening we visit the Catacombs inside, then to hotel, stay overnight at Rome.

DAY 4 : ROME - LANCIANO - SAN GIOVANNO ROTONDO (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we proceed for Lanciano, site of the Miracle of the Holy Eucharistic. The church of the Eucharistic Miracle is located in the center of the town Lanciano is a small, medieval town, nestled in from the coast of the Adriatic Sea in Italy, halfway between San Giovanni Rotondo and Loreto. But what is the center of the town today was the outskirts of the town back in the Eighth Century, when the Eucharistic Miracle occurred. At the time, it was called the Church of St. Legontian and St. Domitian, and was under the custody of the Basilian Monks of the Greek Orthodox Rite.This was prior to the Great Schism of 1054. Everything about Lanciano smacks of the Eucharistic Miracle. Even the name of the town was changed from Anxanum (in ancient times) to Lanciano, meaning “The Lance”. Tradition has it that the centurion Longinus, who thrust the Lance into the side of Jesus, striking Him in the Tip of His Heart from which He shed blood and water, (in the Gospel account of the Crucifixion (Mk 15:29)) was from this town. After seeing the events which followed the piercing of Jesus’ heart, the darkening of the sun, and the earthquake, he believed that Christ was the Savior. A more physical sign, however, was that Longinus had had poor eyesight, and after having touched his eyes with the water and blood from the side of Jesus, his eyesight was restored. What a perfect parallel the actions of the Centurion were to the Eucharistic Miracle. He touched the Heart of Jesus, was healed, and converted. He gave up the Army, went to Cappadocia, and was martyred for the faith. He is known now as Saint Longinus. His feast day is celebrated on March 15 and then we proceed to San Giovanni Rotondo, The Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, stay overnight at San Giovanni Rotondo.

DAY 5: SAN GIOVANNO ROTONDO – ASSISI (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After the breakfast transfer to Assisi visit this “quiet medieval town, imbued with the mystical spirit of one of the most fascinating characters of history.” The town of Assisi is nestled on the side of Mount Subasio, resting majestically in the Umbrian plain. This town was home to St Francis and St Clare, we visit St Francis’ Basilica and the Tomb and then church of San Rufino (with St. Francis’ baptismal font) and the Basilica of St Clare (where her incorrupt body lies in repose) and transfer to Padua, upon arrival visit the city of St. Anthony where we will be visiting the Basilica of St Anthony of Padua Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen articles, was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus-or a lily-or a book-or all three-in his arms. Many people give alms to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony. St. Anthony of Padua’s life is what every Christian’s life is meant to be; a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, the call to love and forgive, to be concerned for the needs of others, to deal with crisis great and small and to have our feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God, hotel stay overnight at Assisi.

DAY 6: ASSISI - PADUA (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After the breakfast visit to Assisi visit this “quiet medieval town, imbued with the mystical spirit of one of the most fascinating characters of history.” The town of Assisi is nestled on the side of Mount Subasio, resting majestically in the Umbrian plain. This town was home to St Francis and St Clare, we visit St Francis’ Basilica and the Tomb and then church of San Rufino (with St. Francis’ baptismal font) and the Basilica of St Clare (where her incorrupt body lies in repose) and transfer to Padua, upon arrival visit the city of St. Anthony where we will be visiting the Basilica of St Anthony of Padua Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen articles, was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus-or a lily-or a book-or all three-in his arms. Many people give alms to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. Anthony. St. Anthony of Padua’s life is what every Christian’s life is meant to be; a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, the call to love and forgive, to be concerned for the needs of others, to deal with crisis great and small and to have our feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God. Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua is a large red-brick building with numerous bulbous domes, set to the southeast of the core of Padua. The Basilica has some fantastic murals and mosaics about his life and the center piece is his tomb. Pilgrims are allowed to go around the back of his tomb and touch it, later transfer to the hotel, stay overnight at Padua.

DAY 7: PADUA - GRENOBLE (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we transfer to Grenoble then Grenoble, stay overnight at Grenoble, en-route enjoy the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful when we have prayers in our hearts, seek the blessings of our Holy MOTHER with sincere prayers and faith that she may Intercede with her SON our LORD to grand our wishes upon arrival to Grenoble, hotel, stay overnight at Grenoble.

DAY 8: GRENOBLE - NEVERS - PARIS (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we proceed to Nevers to visit sanctuary of St. Bernadette en-route enjoy the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful, upon arrival at Nevers we visit the and then visit to the Tomb of St. Bernadette and then to Lourdes the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful when we have prayers in our hearts, seek the blessings of our Holy MOTHER with sincere prayers and faith that she may Intercede with her SON our LORD to grand our wishes upon arrival to Paris, hotel stay overnight at Paris.

DAY 9: IN and AROUND PARIS (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we proceed to the Paris, followed by City tour of Paris with the visit to the Eiffel Tower from (Second level) and then continue the city tour and the St Catherine Laboure whose guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the miraculous medal and later the green scapular. The Virgin promised bountiful graces for all who wore these, just across the street we will visit the church of St Vincent de Paul founder of Daughters of Charity, order St Catherine, Also Visit Shrine of St Vincent De Paul and then we visit the most beautiful and important churches in the world such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the L’Arc de Triomphe, and drive through the Champs Elysees, here we enjoy the other sights on this mostly panoramic tour of Paris and, stay overnight at Paris.

DAY 10: PARIS - LOURDES (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we proceed to Lourdes en-route enjoy the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful, then to Lourdes the breathtaking beautiful surroundings on the journey becomes more serene and meaningful when we have prayers in our hearts, seek the blessings of our Holy MOTHER with sincere prayers and faith that she may Intercede with her SON our LORD to grand our wishes upon arrival to Lourdes, hotel and after dinner Candle light procession, stay overnight at Lourdes.

DAY 11: IN and AROUND LOURDES (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast followed by the walking tour of Lourdes, the small Pyrenees village of Lourdes and its imposing basilica that attracts millions of Pilgrims annually. This is the site where, in 1858, a young peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, had several appearances of Virgin Mary. Also we visit Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and the St. Bernadette’s Birth place and family home. A visit to this Church affords the opportunity to wander an immense CATHEDRAL, but also to see the actual cave where a young girl claimed she spoke to the Virgin Mary and where an endless stream of visitors come in search of a spiritual experience or miraculous healing. The Catholic Church has acknowledged dozens of miracles from this spot, here we all can experience the dip in the water and people were healed by their faith and prayers and evening join the memorable rosary and Candle light Procession, back to hotel and stay overnight at Lourdes.

DAY 12: IN and AROUND LOURDES (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

DAY 13: LOURDES - PONFERRADA (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast we depart to Azpeitia to visit the birthplace of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we see the 17th Century Basilica dedicated to St Ignatius. Behind the sanctuary is the family home of St. Ignatius, which we visit during our stop. The most venerated place in this building is the room where Ignatius at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona, transfer to Ponferrada, stay overnight at Ponferrada.

DAY 14: PONFERRADA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELLA - FATIMA (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast proceed to Santiago De Compostella to visit Cathedral of St. James, one of the finest examples of architecture in all of Europe. Pilgrims have the opportunity to climb the stairs behind the altar to visit the crypt where the relics of St. James are preserved, touch the central pillar (Portico de La Gloria), view the botafumeiro and admire the wealth of medieval art inside the Cathedral, before visiting the cloister museum. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful streets of Santiago de Compostella, the city of the apostle, full of historical buildings and other attraction and transfer to Fatima Ponferrada, Check-in at the hotel, after dinner Join evening’s memorable rosary and Candle light Procession, then to hotel, stay overnight at Fatima.

DAY 15: IN and AROUND FATIMA (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)

After breakfast walking Pilgrimage in Fatima, Six times from May 13 to Oct 13, 1917 the Virgin Mary appeared to three novices belonging to the diocese of Leiria. A new big basilica however just as beautiful as older basilica was constructed here in 1928 and millions of pilgrims visit this each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places by Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense spirituality and the importance of Fatima have been attested to by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and John Paul II. Touring Fatima, see the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacintas graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance after the children’s return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima, Afternoon we visit the birth place of St. Anthony in Lisbon with a short city tour of Lisbon and back to Fatima and after dinner join evening’s memorable rosary and Candle light Procession, back to hotel and stay overnight at Fatima.