A Confraternity of St. Peter pilgrimage to
Fatima, Portugal
Santiago de Compostela, Spain & Madeira Isle
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Sept. 17 - 27, 2012
traveling with
Fr. James Fryar, FSSP &
Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP
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Highlighting the great peacemakers of the early 20th Cnt., Our Lady of Fatima and Blessed Emperor Karl I of Austria, our journey will take us to Madeira where the holy monarch was exiled to in 1921, medieval Santiago de Compostela, Spain and Braga, Lisbon & Fatima, Portugal; the land chosen by Heaven to reveal to the world a goldmine of peace & hope.
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Tour itinerary
Day 1 - Evening departure on a non-stop overnight flight from Newark (NJ) Airport to Lisbon, Portugal.
Day 2 - Morning arrival in Portugal, among Europe’s oldest countries, set on the southwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Although small in size, Portugal was once one of the world’s most powerful nations. Changing the course of history during the Age of the Great Navigations, their explorers discovered such faraway lands as India, and Brazil. With deep roots in Catholicism, Portugal is one of the most traditional countries of Europe today. Transfer onto a flight from Lisbon to the Portuguese Isle of Madeira, situated 350 miles west of the Moroccan Coast and 540 miles from the mainland. Discovered by captains of Henry the Navigator in 1419, Madeira is a hidden jewel with year-round spring-like temperatures and a wondrous landscape. Late morning arrival in the capital of Funchal and transfer to the Regency Palace, overlooking the Atlantic.
Day 3 - Morning visit to the Monte, the mountainous area surrounding Funchal. See the home where Blessed Karl I, the last monarch of the great Hapsburg Dynasty of Austro-Hungary, lived in exile with his virtuous wife, Empress Zita, and their children, from 1921 to 1922, after being forced out of power for his heroic efforts towards peace among the European nations during WWI. Although only in his early 30's, Blessed Karl’s pre-asthmatic condition worsened in the damp mist of the Monte and five months after his arrival he succumbed to severe pneumonia that took his life on April 1 st, 1922. Renowned for his pure-heartedness and love of truth, Blessed Karl was beatified in 2004 and his tomb now rests in the Church of Our Lady of the Monte that he often frequented. After a visit to this church, we will have the opportunity to take an optional wicker-back toboggan ride to the historical center of Funchal to see the 15 th Cnt. Cathedral, the colorful market by the harbor, an embroidery factory and a local winery. Overnight in Funchal.
Day 4 - Take in the beauty of the island as we venture on an excursion west along the coastal road, passing by quaint and colorful fishing villages. Lunch in Porto Moniz, noted for its spectacular natural rock pools. Return to Funchal by way of the mysterious plateau and uplands of the Paul da Serra, home of the laurisilva, a marvelous forest of laurel trees. Overnight in Funchal.
Day 5 - Morning flight departure to Oporto in northern Portugal. Upon our afternoon arrival we will set off north on a route parallel to the Camino Portugues, one of the famous pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela. Crossing over into Galicia on the Iberian Coast, a land the ancient Greeks considered the beginning of the end of the world, we will arrive in Santiago de Compostela in the late afternoon. Tradition tells that it was here in the 8th Cnt. that the bones of the Apostle James, one of the “Sons of Thunder”, were miraculously discovered in a “field of stars”. Since then, pilgrims have come from all corners of the earth to pay homage to the fisherman who was mending nets by the Sea of Galilee when Our Lord first called him. Overnight at Hotel Tryp in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 6 - Morning visit to the magnificent 1000-year-old Cathedral of St. James. With the anticipation of pilgrims through- out the ages, descend into the crypt below the main altar to stand in front of the reliquary of St. James. Hopefully we will get to see the famous Botafumeiro, a 5ft. thurible (hanging 170 feet), swing almost to the roof of the transept, emitting thick clouds of incense, originally intended to mask the aroma of the many walking pilgrims. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.
Day 7 - Morning departure for Fatima, stopping en-route at the 15th Cnt. Shrine of Bom Jesus in Portugal’s lush green northern city of Braga. Mid-day arrival at the Church of Bom Jesu with its baroque double staircase of 1000 steps, each with a landing having a chapel, fountain & statues depicting the Stations of the Cross and the theological virtues. Late afternoon arrival at the Casa Dominicanas in Fatima. Nightly Rosary & Candlelight Procession at the Sanctuary.
Day 8 - Morning visit to the Fatima Sanctuary built over the fields where the shepherd children, Blesseds Jacinta & Francisco Marto and their cousin, Lucia Santos, first encountered the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917, as Europe was in the midst of WWI. Along with Pope Benedict XV & Blessed Karl I, Our Lady spoke of peace, and beseeched them to pray the Rosary daily to attain it. Visit the chapel of apparitions and the basilica where the children are buried. Afternoon visit to the Aljustrel to visit the homes of the shepherd children.
Day 9 - Enjoy an excursion west into the countryside to the Atlantic coast, passing by terraced olive groves and ancient villages and castles. Our first stop will be at the 14th Cnt. Monastery of Our Lady of Victory in Batalha, built to thank the Blessed Virgin for victory in a battle that secured Portugal’s independence. Learn of the battle’s holy commander, St. Nuno Pereira, who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Continue on to the fishing village of Nazare where a miracle took place on the edge of one of Europe’s steepest cliffs. Late afternoon return to Fatima.
Day 10 - Morning departure for Lisbon, a city of Old World charm, set on seven low hills along the River Tagus. Late morning arrival and visit of the convent where Bl. Jacinta stayed at in 1920 before her death. Then we will drive along the river, passing by historical monuments and into the ancient Alfama to visit the church built over the birthplace of St. Anthony. Check-in at Hotel Mundial in the heart of Lisbon for our farewell dinner & overnight.
Day 11 - Morning flight departure on a non-stop flight from Lisbon to Newark.
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Tour details
Sept. 17-27, 2012
Cost: $3495 in double occupancy from Newark
Call for additional round-trip airfare cost from
your city of departure to Newark
Includes: R/T airfare on TAP Air Portugal
all airport taxes
Land travel by luxury coach
9 nights 3/4 * hotel accommodations w/private bath
Breakfast and Dinner daily and 3 lunches
All touring
(as on itinerary) - Daily Holy Mass
Cost is based on dbl. Room occ.
<for single room occ. add $395.00>
For more information call:
Tish Gallagher at 1-916-223-3112
To reserve, download a brochure (or call us at 1-800-334-5425 to recieve one by mail) and fill out the application and send with a $500 deposit to:
SYVERSEN TOURING
Village Centre - P.O Box 509
Bangall, NY 12506 - Ph: 1-800-334-5425