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Pilgrimage to France from May 28 to June 7, 2024 (11 days / 9 nights)
Experience a group pilgrimage accompanied by Mgr Christian Lépine to France in the spring of 2024.
THIS JOURNEY IS GUIDED IN FRENCH
4,195.00$ – 5,765.00$
NEW
CULTURAL TRIPS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGES
*Voyage associated in partnership with the Œuvre des Vocations du Diocèse de Montréal.
This year, the Œuvre des Vocations du Diocèse de Montréal (OVDM) celebrates its 80ᵉ founding anniversary. For the occasion, the Archbishop of Montreal, Mgr Christian Lépine, is accompanying a pilgrimage to holy and unique places in France, with the theme, inspired by the words of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “My vocation is love”. The Eucharist will be celebrated at the tomb of the Saint Curé d’Ars, patron saint of diocesan priests, followed by a time of recollection in Lisieux, a city that emanates the perfume of sanctity from the little Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus and the entire Martin family. Then there’s the climb to Mont St-Michel, a place dedicated to the holy Archangel Defender. Other places on the program include Lyon, Paray-le-Monial, Nevers and Paris. Join us on this spiritual journey, in the presence of seminarians from the Montreal diocese and three OVDM members: Father Silvain Cloutier, Father Dominic Richer and Father Emanuel Zetino. Together, let’s pray for vocations!
Highlights
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Mgr Lépine has long experience as a pastor and teacher. Ordained to the priesthood in 1983 at Saint-André-Apôtre, he first exercised his priestly ministry at Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal before studying philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1986 to 1989. On his return to Montreal, he was appointed vicar at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and parish priest at Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal. He remained there until 1996, when he was appointed head of Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte’s Secretariat. In 1998, he was called to Rome, where he worked at the Secretariat of State, then at the Congregation for Divine Worship. Returning to Montreal in 2000, he was appointed Director of the Major Seminary. From 2006 to 2012, he was pastor of the parishes of La Purification de la Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie and Notre-Dame-des-Champs, where he remained until his ordination as auxiliary bishop on September 10, 2011. On March 20, 2012, he was named Archbishop of Montreal by Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Lépine is the tenth bishop of Montréal and the eighth archbishop since the. founding of the diocese in 1836.
Meet at P.E. Trudeau Airport (Montreal). International flight from Montreal to Lyon.
Welcome upon arrival at the airport by your driver, then departure to downtown Lyon. A Missionary Love “O Jesus, God of all love, to what excess have You loved us!” (Blessed Pauline Jaricot) In the afternoon, guided tour of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, the house of Blessed Pauline Jaricot in connection with the Pontifical Missionary Works, and the Trinity Chapel: Mass. In the late afternoon, departure to Ars sur Formans. (approximately 1 hour of travel) Since the death of Jean-Marie Vianney, who was the parish priest of Ars until 1859, the Sanctuary’s mission is to welcome pilgrims, make known the Holy Curé, patron of all priests in the universe, and preserve his memory in this place. Check-in. Dinner and overnight in Ars sur Formans.
Breakfast. In the morning, at the Basilica, a moment of contemplation in front of the tomb of the holy curé of Ars. Discovery of the sanctuary, the house of the Holy Curé, the heart chapel, and his famous statue. Watching a video about the message of St. Curé d’Ars (52 minutes). Then, an exchange with a nun. Lunch at the accommodation. Meeting time at the seminary. Mass in the Basilica. Journey to Paray le Monial. (approximately 2 hours of travel) Check-in. Dinner and overnight in Paray le Monial.
Breakfast. In the morning, presentation of the Message of Paray by a Chapel Father. Spiritual itinerary of the Basilica, the Chapel of Apparitions, and the Colombière. Watching the film about the message of Paray le Monial. A moment of contemplation at the tombs of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and Saint Claude de la Colombière. Mass at the Sanctuary of Paray le Monial. Lunch at the accommodation. In the afternoon, an exchange with the Emmanuel community and a possible meeting with Father Philippe Jacques. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Paray le Monial.
Breakfast. In the morning, journey to Nevers. (approximately 2 hours of travel) In Nevers, at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, at the age of 23, Bernadette Soubirous took the veil and lived a simple and ordinary life, wholly devoted to God and others, for 13 years. Her body rests in the chapel, inside a glass case. Prayer time, contemplation at the tomb of Bernadette. Mass at the Basilica. Lunch at the accommodation. The afternoon will be devoted to the discovery of the sanctuary of Nevers. Watching a video about the life of Bernadette. (30 minutes) Guided tour in French “In the footsteps of Bernadette” to discover, through the places where she lived, the life of Saint Bernadette in Nevers. (1h30) Prayer time. Dinner and overnight in Nevers.
Breakfast. Meeting time with a sister (subject to their availability). Mass at the Basilica. Lunch at the accommodation. After lunch, departure for Lisieux. (approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes of travel + break time). Check-in. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.
Breakfast. Visit to the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, where Thérèse attended Mass for more than ten years every Sunday and often during the week with her father and sisters. A marble plaque in the south ambulatory marks the spot where Thérèse attended Sunday High Mass. Mass at the Cathedral. Unfortunately, Les Buissonnets, the family home of Saint Thérèse, has been closed for renovations since November 14, 2022, for a period of 2 years. The visit will not be possible. Lunch at the accommodation. Watching the film “Thérèse, une course de géant” at the Jean-Paul II reception center located in front of the Basilica – duration 35 minutes. Visit to the Museum and the Carmel Chapel. The Lisieux Carmel was founded in 1838. When Thérèse Martin entered on April 9, 1888, there were twenty-six sisters. Prayer time at the shrine. Possibility to attend Vespers at the Carmel. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.
Breakfast. Visit to the Basilica. Mass at the Basilica. Lunch at the accommodation. After lunch, departure for Mont Saint-Michel. (Approximately 3 hours of travel + break time). Dinner and overnight near Mont Saint-Michel.
Breakfast. For 13 centuries, Mont Saint-Michel has become a major pilgrimage site in Christianity. Pilgrims come from everywhere and complete their pilgrimage by crossing the sands… After facing the quicksand and purifying themselves with so-called baptismal water, the pilgrim can finally approach the ramparts and climb towards Mont. In the morning, guided tour of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey. Built in the 8th century on a granite rock surrounded by marshes and quicksands, the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey offers the visitor a dreamlike setting. Two communities of monks and nuns from the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem are present at the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey and ensure daily prayer (offices, Mass) and monastic hospitality. Duration: 2 hours. Participation in the community Mass at the abbey. Free lunch. In the afternoon, guided discovery of the village of Mont Saint-Michel and its history, through its many alleys. Departure for Paris in the afternoon (approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of travel and break time). Dinner on your own en route. Late arrival and overnight in Paris.
Breakfast. Act of consecration to the Virgin Mary, out of love. In the morning, passing by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral is currently under restoration following the fire that partially ravaged it on April 15, 2019. (expected reopening on December 8, 2024). Free visit to Saint Sulpice, built in the 17th century with foundations from the 12th century, Saint-Sulpice is one of the largest churches in Paris. Located in the heart of the 6th arrondissement, in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Inside, admire the nave, the Chapel of the Virgin with a statue by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, the sacristy and its Louis XV-style woodwork, the three masterful paintings by Eugène Delacroix in the Chapel of the Holy Angels, and the great Cavaillé-Coll organ. Mass at Saint Sulpice. Lunch on your own in Paris. Pilgrimage to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Mary appeared in 1830 to a novice, Catherine Labouré, in the chapel and asked her to engrave a medal: “those who wear it with confidence will receive great graces…”. A place in honor of the Virgin Mary where Jean-Jacques Olier made the commitment for the Mission in Montreal, including the Grand Séminaire on Sherbrooke Street in Montreal/foundation of the Society of Notre-Dame-de-Montreal). Watching a 30-minute video on Catherine Labouré, the apparitions, and the message of the Virgin. Then, exchange with a sister. Finally, time for a self-guided visit to the chapel. Mass on Rue du Bac. Possibility to visit the Foreign Missions of Paris. In 350 years, the Foreign Missions of Paris have contributed to the evangelization of many countries in the Far East: Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar. In the 20th century, they sent martyr priests and confessors of the faith, including 23 canonized saints. Dinner and overnight in Paris.
Breakfast. Transfer by bus to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Return flight to Montreal.
***Itinerary subject to change ***
PRICE
Early Booking: $4,095/person (double occupancy). Early Booking Discount of $100 if registered before January 28, 2024.
Regular Price: $4,195/person (double occupancy)
Single Room Supplement: + $1,570/person
*Spiritours offers the possibility of room sharing, but exceptionally, Spiritours cannot cover the additional costs for single occupancy if we are unable to find a match for you.
* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on September 1, 2023.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
Round-trip flight (Montreal-Lyon / Paris-Montreal) with Air Transat
Transportation by coach throughout the stay
9 nights of accommodation in a religious house or 2* or 3* hotel, in a double room
Full board (3 meals a day except for dinners on days 9 and 10 and the dinner on day 10)
Admission to the monuments planned in the program
Services of a professional French-speaking guide for the discovery of Mont-St-Michel
Offerings for the visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Providing audio guides for the duration of the pilgrimage
A guidebook
All taxes (including tourist taxes).
THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Dinners on days 9 and 10 and the dinner on day 10
Travel insurance
Tips and personal expenses
Contribution to the Compensation Fund for Clients of Travel Agents of the OPC, $3.50 per $1,000 spent.
REGISTRATION
Registration deadline: March 28, 2024 (60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It is possible to register after this date, but a supplement may apply.
To register: You can register on our website (see the top of the travel webpage, on the right) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your deposit of $750. It is advisable to register as early as possible, as spaces are limited. Please include a photocopy of your passport with your registration (for international travel only).
Travel insurance: For travel insurance, contact us to find out your premium.
Number of participants Minimum 35 – Maximum 50
Required documentation: All Canadian travelers going to Europe must have a valid passport for at least three months after the planned return date.
For more information, please contact
Audrey Marebe
(514) 374-7965, ext. 200
audrey.marebe@spiritours.com
Don’t miss the presentation webinar, register now!
Read this article on pilgrimages in France.
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