Belgium & France Pilgrimage

Join Fr. Angelo Casimiro, MIC on a 13-Day Marian Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Belgium & France!

This pilgrimage to Belgium & France offers you an unforgettable experience. Here you will be fully immersed in the land of castles, cathedrals, and culinary arts. You will make life-changing visits to the Marian shrines of Our Lady of Banneux and the Sanctuary Notre-Dame of Beauraing, culminating with a prayerful visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Travel Itinerary - June 2-14, 2025 (13 days)

Mon.-Tue., June 2 & 3

June 2 & 3 Depart on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight to Brussels, arriving the following day.

Wed., June 4

After breakfast we will visit the Bois-Seigneur-Isaac Abbey for Mass, a former Augustinian abbey founded in 1413. Since 2010 the Abbey has been under the care of a monastic order from Lebanon. These monks worship in the Maronite Rite, praying the holy words of consecration in Aramaic, the spoken language of Christ. Many pilgrims flock here to visit this holy place of prayer and to reverence the first-class relics of St. Charbel, known as the "Miracle Monk of Lebanon" on account of the favors received through his intercession. Next we will make our way to Antwerp for lunch in the neighborhood of the Cathedral of Our Lady, consecrated in 1521. Many thousands of people visit the Cathedral each year to see a number of significant works by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. In the afternoon we will visit the nearby tomb of Blessed Edward Poppe located in the nearby village of Moerzeke. He was a contemporary priest who was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Although he died at age 33 in 1924, he is remembered for his prolific writings about Marxism, materialism, and secularism. Afterwards, we will gather together for our transfer back to Brussels for dinner (included) at our hotel. Overnight in Brussels.

Thu., June 5

Following breakfast, we will board our motorcoach and depart on a day trip to Bruges. While here, we will visit the Church of Our Lady for Mass where you will inevitably notice the preserved culture of the Middle Ages that is still present. While at the church, you will have the opportunity to view the magnificent marble statue, Madonna and her Child, sculpted by Michelangelo. Next, we will visit St. Salvator's Cathedral. We then continue with a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Most interestingly, this Basilica also holds a venerated relic of Jesus Christ that was collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from Jerusalem. Modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, it has a replica of Christ’s empty tomb. In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy lunch and leisurely explore this enchanting city. We gather together for a transfer back to Brussels for dinner (included) at our hotel. Overnight in Brussels.

Fri., June 6

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will depart for Banneux to tour the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux. Here we discover the devotion to “Our Lady of the Poor,” where Our Lady reportedly appeared in the year 1933 to a girl by the name of Mariette Beco, revealing herself as the “Virgin of the Poor.” We will visit the girl’s house, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the Chapel of the Cross, the statue of Our Lady of the Poor, and we will have Mass in the sanctuary chapel of St. François (Francis). After lunch, transfer to Beauraing with free time to pray and explore the Sanctuary Notre-Dame of Beauraing. This is where the “Virgin of the Golden Heart'' is said to have appeared in the 1930s some 32 times to 5 children between the ages of 9-15. Check into the hotel and dinner (included) at the hotel. Overnight in Beauraing.

Sat., June 7

Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we make our way to the mighty Cathedral of Reims, where the kings of France were crowned. Our tour of Reims will include the magnificent cathedral with a private Mass for our group in the Axial Chapel, an architectural marvel. This is a holy place where France was converted to the Catholic Faith, where King Clovis was baptized by St. Remigius. After lunch we continue to Paris, the “City of Light.” After we check-in to our hotel, we will gather for a joyous group dinner (included) served with French cuisine at our hotel. Overnight in Paris.

Sun., June 8

After breakfast, we will tour the elegant city of Paris, with visits that will include the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal shrine and the Chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul, two major sites in the city where pilgrims can pray in front of the incorrupt remains of St. Catharine Laboure and St. Vincent de Paul. We will continue to the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral as well as the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, where perpetual adoration has been continuous, without interruption, since the year 1885. Dinner at the hotel (included).

Mon., June 9

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for the Paris airport for a transfer flight to Lyon. Upon our arrival, we will board our new motorcoach and make our way for Mass in the famous cathedral known as the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a towering structure in a city with Roman roots. Lyon has long been known as the capital of French gastronomy, with famous gourmet French cooking. After checking in to our hotel, we will gather together for a delicious group dinner (included). Overnight in Lyon.

Tue., June 10

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart for La Salette located in a high alpine pasture in the French Alps. La Salette is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846 to two shepherds, Melanie Matthew and Maximin Gird. Our Lady appeared to these shepherds crying, lamenting over the lack of observance of Sundays and the profaning of her Son's holy name. A spring forever marks the spot where the Virgin appeared and where millions of pilgrims come, in order to drink the fresh spring water and to pray. The stunning mountain scenery and lush mountain trails make La Salette one of the most spectacular pilgrimage sites in France, with a beautiful Basilica built to honor the Virgin Mary. We continue to our hotel for check-in and dinner (included). Overnight in La Salette.

Wed., June 11

Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Avignon. After lunch, we will visit the famous papal palace, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Avignon became the seat of the papacy between 1309 and 1423 with the popes in Avignon before they returned to Rome. The construction of the palace began in 1335. It is the largest gothic construction of the Middle Ages. Six conclaves were held here. The Papacy returned to Rome for political reasons and following the improvement of the relations between Catholics and Orthodox. Today, the papal palace is open to all. It is also known for its famous festival d'Avignon, one of the most important international festivals of contemporary entertainment. We will end the evening with dinner (included) and an overnight in Avignon.

Thu., June 12

Following breakfast and hotel check-out, we will begin our journey to the fortified city of Carcassonne, exceptionally well-preserved and of rare beauty. Its visit will give you an idea of what it would have been like to live in the Middle Ages. Situated in the south of France, not far off the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains, Carcassonne is known worldwide and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. A nice walk will take you through small paved streets, from the chateau to the ramparts, passing by the basilica of Saint-Nazaire and the ancient houses. This rocky peak has been inhabited since the 4th century BC and the town has been protected by ramparts since the 3rd century AD. This masterpiece of military architecture is both remarkable and well-preserved. Following a free afternoon, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Lourdes for dinner (included) and overnight.

Fri.-Sat., June 13-14

Following breakfast, we begin our day in Lourdes, one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world. Lourdes is today the third most popular Catholic pilgrimage site in the world and the second most visited place in France after Paris. It is here that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette and revealed herself under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Millions of pilgrims have visited and there have been thousands of documented cures. We will walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and visit the places where she lived and the sites related to her childhood. Following lunch, we will visit the Grotto of the apparitions and make time for members of our group to visit the baths. We will also pray the Via Crucis at the life-sized Stations of the Cross. Following dinner at the hotel (included), we will participate in the nightly candle-light procession. Overnight in Lourdes.