Thirteen pilgrims left San Francisco for Lisbon to visit the shrines of Mary in Portugal, Spain and France. After arrival in Portugal they headed for the hotel in Lisbon where they rested for the night. The next day, Maria, the tour guide took the pilgrims to see the Cathedral of Lisbon, the basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, the San Jeronimo monastery and the tower of Belem. On the way to the various shrines Maria pointed out the important historical spots. After the tour the pilgrims proceeded to Santarem where they celebrated the liturgy in the church of the Miracle of the Eucharist. After Mass they proceeded to Fatima the site of the various apparitions of Mary to the three shepherds in 1917.

In Fatima the pilgrims attended the evening procession with rosary recited in several languages of the world. They also made the Stations of the Cross in Valinhos, visited the homes of the shepherds and prayed at the tombs of Jacinta and Francisco. The homes of the shepherds now properties of the Shrine still manifest the simple yet faith filled life style the family lived. They didn't have much by today's standards, but the houses reflect a sense of simple faith and trust in God.

After Fatima they left for Salamanca, Spain stopping to celebrate Mass at the Carmelite convent in Coimbra. Sr. Lucia, one of the three shepherds, now lives as a contemplative nun in that convent. She is over ninety and the tour guide Arminda told us that her health wasn't that good lately. Salamanca was a fun city to visit. The cathedral, the Plaza Mayor or Main Square as well as the shopping center were all within walking distance from the hotel. From Salamanca they left for Madrid, passing through Avila. It is the hometown of St. Teresa, the mystic who reformed the Carmelite monastic life in Spain. But it rained so hard that the pilgrims were pretty much stuck under one of the gates of the medieval town. Then it was time to move on to Madrid where they stayed for two nights. They visited El Prado, passed by the modern grand central train station and marveled at the magnificent medieval royal city of Toledo. Tim, our excellent and amiable driver from Boston, Mass provided us with informative and helpful advice all during the trip from Portugal to Lourdes. He speaks Spanish fluently.

From Madrid the pilgrims motored to Zaragoza to visit the basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. Then it was on to Lourdes crossing the Pyrenees Mountains to be in Lourdes. It rained quite a bit during the two days stay in that shrine. But the pilgrims were able to join the evening procession, celebrate Mass at Masabielle with other pilgrims from around the world, take bath at the shrine and spend time in quiet prayer and contemplation.

The TGV(high-speed) train ride from Lourdes to Paris provided an interesting trip. The train passed through towns such as Bordeau, Poiters, and Tours. The peaceful train ride however was interrupted by the voices of young children returning to Paris after camping in the countryside. Arrival at Paris Montparnasse was uneventful. The bus took us to the elegant Hotel Castiglioni. While in Paris the pilgrims visited Notre Dame, Arc de Trioumphe, the Eiffel tower and the chapel of the Miraculous Medal at Rue de Bac.

Then it was time to return home. From de Gaulle airport they pilgrims flew directly to San Francisco. At the airport security guards found a bomb and detonated it while the pilgrims were at the airport. They were also told Air France flight 222 was the last flight to leave Paris before the pilot strike. All through the trip we had the privilege of a caring tour escort, Robert, who made sure everyone had a good time during the pilgrimage.

PICTURES