Thanks be to God, all the pilgrims have returned safely – and spiritually edified – from the Ultimate Marian Pilgrimage. On behalf of the twenty-one pilgrims who participated, thank you for all your prayers and support. We prayed for all the friends and supporters of The Fatima Center at each site. This spiritual journey, which Our Lord (through Our Lady) allowed us to make, has been a source of many graces for all of us.
There were so many highlights on this pilgrimage that it is difficult to capture them all. In Paris, we visited the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal with the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré to whom Our Lady appeared in 1830, the incorrupt body of St. Louise de Marillac, and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul. We visited the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, which has the wax figure of the saint containing his relics.
Father Karl Stehlin, our chaplain and spiritual guide, took us to the chapel at the Society of the Foreign Missions, which he said was the place where many missionaries offered their lives to spread the message of Christ before they headed out to foreign lands. He told us about the always smiling St. Jean-Théophane Vénard, who was martyred and inspired many, including St. Therese of Lisieux. Father encouraged us to ask for this missionary spirit – to give us zeal to help Our Lady save souls. In many places and for many years, people could not openly practice the Faith because it was outlawed – they held on to their Rosaries and lived through extraordinary trials and tribulations. Such trials turned into greater graces for these individuals. Father helped us to understand that this can be the case for us.
In Paris, we also joined the throngs of visitors to the recently reopened Notre Dame Basilica before visiting the historic shrine of Our Lady of Victories. St Thérèse of Lisieux recovered from a serious childhood illness in 1883 after a novena of Masses at this church.
We took the train to Lourdes. Highlights there included visits to the Grotto and the Basilica and walking the Way of the Cross, during which Father Stehlin helped us meditate on Our Lord’s Passion and the pivotal role played by His beloved Mother. Lourdes played a special role in the lives of Father Stehlin and his own mother. Father’s knowledge, enthusiasm and reverence helped us all to gain a greater appreciation for the place where Our Lady revealed Herself as the Immaculate Conception.
From Lourdes we began our bus journey to Fatima. Father Stehlin explained that Lourdes is really a preparation for Fatima and that in Fatima, everything is more humble. The closer we get to Our Lady, the more humble we need to be. He also explained how Our Lady appeared to little children at both Lourdes and Fatima. While all four children are very different, we have much to learn from them.
On our way through Spain, we stopped at Loyola (where the famous conversion of St. Ignatius took place); Alma de Tormes (where St. Theresa of Avila died); and at Burgos and Salamanca, where we were able to appreciate the beauty and splendor of the cathedrals and the surrounding landscape.
As we passed into Portugal, the electricity was off. There was no power anywhere and many local people could not use their phones or the internet. There was uncertainty about when the power might return and rumors about what might have caused the blackout. This gave us the opportunity to reflect on the busyness of our lives and how dependent we are on modern conveniences even while on pilgrimage. The power came back on at the end of the night procession at Fatima on our first evening there. It was as if Our Lady of Fatima was telling us that if we put ourselves under Her mantle and follow Her guidance, we will always be safe.
During our time with him, Father Stehlin offered a novena of Masses. One of those Masses was a sung Requiem Mass on April 29th commemorating the 10th year death anniversary of Father Gruner. It was very fitting to be in Fatima, where Father Gruner himself had offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass so many times. In the Chapel of the Apparitions, located in the Cova da Iria where Our Lady appeared and the Miracle of the Sun occurred, Father Stehlin also offered to Our Lady a spiritual bouquet of the First Saturday devotions completed by our supporters since January 2024. These had been done in response to our campaign to encourage Catholics to obey Our Lady’s request for this devotion.
We were blessed with a wonderfully diverse group of pilgrims from throughout North America. Most of all, we were blessed with a wonderful chaplain and spiritual guide. In his homilies and talks, Father Stehlin taught us a lot about the places we visited and the Faith, leaving us with much to think and pray about.
At the end of our pilgrimage, we went home. We thank God for the many places we visited, experiences we had, people we encountered, and graces we received. We also thank Our Lady, the most wonderful of all mothers, Whose Immaculate Heart is our refuge that will continue to lead us on the pilgrimage of our lives to our final home with God in Heaven.
We are grateful to those who joined us on this special pilgrimage. And we extend our gratitude to our supporters and for those who prayed for us during our trip!
The Program:
Tuesday, April 22 – Paris
Arrive in Paris and check into hotel. After dinner, visit Sacré-Cœur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, one of the emblematic monuments of Paris which also offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital. Explore “Mount of Martyrs,” where Saint-Denis (then Bishop of Paris) was beheaded after the Christian persecutions.
Wednesday, April 23 – Paris
Discover Paris with guided tours to several religious sites. Visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Pray before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré, to whom Our Lady appeared in 1830 and displayed a vision of the Miraculous Medal. The incorrupt body of St. Louise de Marillac and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul also rest in this church. Visit the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, housing a wax figure of the saint containing his relics.
Visit the Foreign Missions with a shrine dedicated to Catholic martyrs in Asia. Also visit Our Lady of Victories (one of ten minor basilicas whose name was given by King Louis XIII, whodedicated it to his victory over the Protestants at La Rochelle in 1628 during the French Wars of Religion), and Sainte Eustache. This church is one of the most visited in Paris, being much like a cathedral, and for the great wealth of works of art it houses. Free time available for personal visits, including to the iconic cathedral of Notre Dame, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. While Notre Dame is still closed to tour groups, individuals can make a personal visit.
Thursday, April 24 – Paris to Lourdes
Check out of hotel, transfer to Montparnasse train station and board the TGV, Europe’s high-speed train, for a scenic journey to Lourdes. If time allows, explore the Grotto, Confession Chapel, The Bath, The Way of the Cross, attend the torchlight Marian procession, and visit the Bernadette and Miraculous Museums.
Friday, April 25 – Lourdes
Continue your exploration of the Lourdes Shrine and visit any sites you may have missed the previous day.
Saturday, April 26 – Lourdes, Loyola, Burgos
Begin the journey with a spiritual conference while traveling from Lourdes to Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. After exploring this sacred site, continue to the historic city of Burgos, renowned for its impressive Gothic cathedral.
Sunday, April 27 – Burgos, Salamanca
Discover the Holy Cross Chapel and the majestic Burgos Cathedral. Visit the Monastery of the Carmelites, a place of deep spiritual significance. After free time for lunch, travel to Salamanca, a city celebrated for its rich heritage and stunning architecture.
Monday, April 28 – Salamanca, Alba de Tormes, Fátima
Travel to Alba de Tormes to visit the Basilica of St. Teresa and her tomb. Continue to Fátima, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the world. Evening Candlelight Procession at the Fátima Shrine. A spiritual conference will accompany the journey to enrich the experience.
Tuesday, April 29 – Fátima
Spend the day at the Fátima Shrine, a place of devotion and prayer. Visit Aljustrel, the village where the three shepherd children lived, and walk the Stations of the Cross at Valinhos, the site of the apparitions of Our Lady and the Angel. Candlelight Procession at the Fátima Shrine.
Wednesday, April 30 – Fátima, Batalha, Alcobaça, Nazaré
Depart Fátima and explore the remarkable Batalha Monastery, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Visit the Monastery of Alcobaça. Stop at Our Lady of Nazareth Church in the charming coastal town of Nazaré before returning to Fátima for the Candlelight Procession.
Thursday, May 1 – Santarém, Lisbon
On the way to Lisbon, visit the Church of the Eucharistic Miracle in Santarém, a revered site of faith and devotion. Continue to Lisbon for a panoramic tour of the city, including a visit to St. Anthony’s Church, dedicated to the city’s patron saint.
Friday, May 2 – Lisbon/Departure
Enjoy your final morning in Lisbon with free time to explore or reflect. After breakfast, check out and travel to the airport for departure.