Fields of Grace

Today we depart Brussels, crossing the border into France. Continue to Pozieres, where along with Fromelles the battles here in 1916 marked Australia’s entry into World War I. Visit Mouquet Farm – site of a costly advance by the Australian Imperial Forces in August 1916. Along Pozieres ridge is the First Australian Division Memorial.

Just outside the village of nearby La Boiselle is the Lochnagar mine crater, a battlefield landmark that became well known to the Australian soldiers making their way to Pozieres in July/August 1916.

Pozieres overnight (BD)

Departing Pozieres, we journey south today to the battlefields of the Somme, where in 1918 the Australian soldiers performed outstandingly. Visit Adelaide Cemetery; the battlefield at Le Hamel which witnessed a great Australian victory.

In Villers Bretonneux we will visit the Victoria School and within it the Franco-Australian Museum. Continue to the Australian Memorial listing the names of nearly 11,000 Australians missing in France. The Sir John Monash Interpretive Centre will inform us about the Australian Imperial Forces achievements on the Western Front.

Finally, we continue south to Paris where we will check in to our accommodation on arrival.

Paris overnight (BD)

This morning we will visit and celebrate Mass in the awesome Sacre Coeur, built from 1875 to 1914, and one of the most imposing Basilicas in the Christian tradition. We continue on our pilgrimage through Paris with a special stop to view the outside of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

We come then to the Daughters of Charity in the Rue du Bac. This is the site where Our Lady appeared to Catherine Labouré in 1830, with the first Miraculous Medal being struck in 1832. Her incorrupt body lies under the altar of Our Lady, here in the chapel and adjacent to the altar of St Vincent de Paul displaying his incorrupt heart. Finally, we stroll to the nearby Vincentian Fathers to pray in the chapel housing the bones of St Vincent de Paul.

This afternoon we commence our sightseeing tour of Paris including a visit to the Eiffel Tower, viewing the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. Enjoy some time at leisure to take in the atmosphere of this beautiful city or for shopping.

Paris overnight (BD)

This morning we travel a scenic 40 minutes through the west of Paris to Versailles where we enjoy a guided tour of Versailles Palace and wander through the beautiful gardens and fountains before returning to Paris to board our afternoon TGV fast train service to Lourdes.

Travelling through the scenic French countryside, we arrive in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the small town of Lourdes. It was in this small town that Our Lady first appeared to St Bernadette in 1858.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

This morning we will celebrate a group Mass at the Grotto – the site where young Bernadette experienced visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We then meet our guide for a walking tour of Lourdes including the Sanctuary area: Upper & Lower Basilicas, and the Baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. See the Boly Mill where she was born in 1844, the original parish church and the Cachot (prison) where the family lived due to misfortune during the time of the apparitions.

We then visit the little village of Bartres, and the farm where St Bernadette was nursed and later returned in adolescence to help her foster mother. We will visit the Sheepfold and the Parish Church where she spent so many hours in prayer.

Free time this afternoon for a visit and prayers for the sick at the miraculous Baths where the water has continued to flow since 1858. Pilgrims may choose to submerge themselves in the healing waters, or collect the Lourdes water at the taps. During her ninth apparition to Bernadette, Our Lady said “Go drink and wash yourself at the spring”. Optional afternoon Blessed Sacrament Procession and Blessing of the Sick before a final evening candlelight procession after dinner.

Note: Washing at the baths is a personally rewarding experience and is carried out in a dignified manner and with sensitivity to the privacy of each pilgrim.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

We set out for our travel day, passing through the foothills of the Pyrenees and crossing the border back into northern Spain. Enroute, we visit Loyola where St Ignatius was born and where he later found his conversion. In Loyola pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Sanctuary of St Ignatius, including the Casa Santa (Holy House) – 13th century tower house – where he was born and spent many of his early years. Visit also the ornate monastery complete with shrine and relics of the saint and a 65m dome, which can be seen from a great distance. See the sparse room where he lived and recovered from his injuries and developed his spiritual life.

Continue by coach west to Burgos, famous for its beautiful Cathedral established in 1221 – one of the jewels of Gothic architecture.

Burgos overnight (BD)

This morning we depart Burgos and journey to the quaint village of Santo Domingo de Silos, home to the great Benedictine Abbey famous for its beautiful Romanesque cloister and for spreading the finest tradition of Gregorian chant throughout the world. We will attend the chanted High Mass this morning, before visiting the adjacent Monastery and Museum.

From here we journey north to Caleruega, the home of Bl Jane of Aza and Felix Guzman and birthplace of their sons, St Dominic, Bl Mannes and Anthony. On arrival we commence our tour of Caleruega. A highlight includes the Dominican Nuns Convent, formerly the home of the Guzman family. A highlight here is the Crypt where a well marks the spot where Dominic was born around 1170. It is now the centrepiece of a chapel which is adorned with exquisite mosaics depicting scenes from Dominic’s life. Enter the Church of San Sebastian where Dominic was baptised. The original twelfth century apse is still preserved, even though the church has undergone numerous reconstructions.

Continue south by coach to Segovia, between the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. We will visit the stunning Segovia Cathedral, the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. Marvel too at the best conserved aqueduct of the Imperial Roman Empire. Outside the walls, we will visit and celebrate Mass at a convent adjacent to the Vera Cruz church, where the mortal remains of Saint John of the Cross are buried. View here the famous Alcazar.

We continue on to the historic walled town of Avila, where the atmosphere has changed little since the days of St Teresa to whom the city is dedicated. It was here that she entered the Carmelite convent and encountered many mystical experiences during her time.

Avila overnight (BD)

We begin our day with a walking tour of Avila inside the walls. Enter the Convent of Saint Teresa (La Santa) for Mass, built over the saint’s birthplace and located just inside the South Gate of the old town. Most of the convent remains in cloister but you can see the very spot where she was born, now a chapel in the Baroque church. Another highlight is a visit to Avila’s Cathedral which was started in the 12th century. We then visit the Church of San Juan Bautista, where St Teresa was baptised in 1515, and the school she attended at the Nuestra Senora de la Gracia Monastery.

This afternoon we venture outside the walls for a visit to the Monastery of the Incarnation, where St Teresa’s cell can be seen as well as other relics of her life. Continue on for a special visit to the Monastery of St Joseph, the first monastery founded by St Teresa in 1562.

Remainder of the day at leisure in this beautiful walled city.

Avila overnight (BD)

After breakfast we farewell Avila and travel by coach to Salamanca, known as the ‘Golden City’ owing to the colour of its historic sandstone buildings.

We then journey inland through the beautiful Spanish countryside before crossing the border into Portugal, joining the streams of young pilgrims converging today on Lisbon, the World Youth Day host city and our long-awaited meeting with the youth of the world and our Holy Father.

Upon our arrival, we will be welcomed and ushered to our designated place of accommodation. At this point we will receive our WYD pilgrim’s bag containing the WYD handbook, tourist guide, pilgrim pass, transport card and all the information you need to get around Lisbon and participate in the WYD events.

Lisbon overnight (BD)

Theme: “Mary arose and went with haste.” (Lk 1:39)

AM: MORNING WALKING TOUR OF LISBONThis morning we meet our guide and enjoy a walking tour of Lisbon city. From the scenic Garden of San Pedro de Alcantara – taking in sweeping views of the city, to its narrow streets of the picturesque Alfama district, bustling plazas, and along the riverfront – stopping in Lisbon’s most beautiful and historic churches all along the way. 

PM: WYD OPENING CEREMONIES

AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.

AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.

PM: WELCOMING CEREMONIES FOR THE HOLY FATHER

AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.

PM: STATIONS OF THE CROSSThe focus tonight is on the moving Way of the Cross when we as young pilgrims will contemplate the reality of Christ’s passion and the call to true freedom.

Today will begin the mass mobilisation of pilgrims along set walking paths through the city as we converge on the site chosen for the historic WYD gathering here in Lisbon.

An afternoon of concerts, performances, and song will unfold as we await the arrival of the Holy Father. This begins the main event! Multitudes of young people together with the Pope – a summer evening of unforgettable atmosphere. The celebrations continue all night as we share in a global sleep-out under the stars.

WYD Vigil Site Sleepout (WYD BLD)

As the sun rises, we’ll share in Morning Prayer, breakfast and the climactic WYD Papal Mass with the youth of the world. 

AM: MORNING MASS WITH THE HOLY FATHERThe Pope will concelebrate Mass with thousands of bishops and priests, addressing us and sending us out to the world to witness to our faith, as the Lord did with his Apostles. At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father will announce the place where the next international World Youth Day will be held.

PM: PILGRIMAGE WALK BACK TO LODGINGS

Today we farewell Lisbon for the tranquillity and relaxation of our Post WYD Retreat in the Fatima area. As we depart out of the city, see Europe’s longest suspension bridge and view the inspiring Statue of Christ the King pointing the way north to Fatima. 

Enroute, we will visit the Holy Miracle Church of St Stephen at Santarem containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle.

Arriving at our post-WYD retreat lodgings, we will spend the following days entering into a time of rest, recreation and retreat, as we unwind and process the amazing past days on pilgrimage and WYD experiences.

Fatima area overnight (BD)

This morning we travel to Fatima, where in 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children as ‘a lady in white’. We will enjoy a tour of the Square (the largest square in Christendom) including the site of the Apparitions, Rosary Basilica with the Tombs of the visionaries, the Museum, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and other main sites. 

Back at our lodgings this afternoon, we enter a time of retreat, prayer and recreation. 

Fatima area overnight (BLD) 

We travel back to Fatima this morning where we will walk and pray the Stations along the beautiful Way of the Cross (the Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary which overlooks all of Fatima. Continue to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance to three peasant children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Proceed on to the little village of Aljustrel to visit the homes where the children lived. Finally, we enter the original Parish church and see the Baptismal font where the children were baptised. 

Back at our lodgings this afternoon, we enter a time of retreat, prayer and recreation. 

Fatima area overnight (BLD) 

Today we will be transferred to the airport for our homebound flight connections to Australia. (B)