PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE WITH MAGNIFICAT October 19 - 31, 2019 $4,799 From New York Departure From Other US Cities Available www.pilgrimages.com/magnificat France, called “the eldest daughter of the Church” by Saint Pope John Paul II during his first pil- grimage there in 1980, has a long heritage in the Catholic Faith. Throughout its history, France has been blessed by the lives of numerous saints such as Saint Denis, first bishop of Paris; Saint Mary Magdalene, who, fleeing the Holy Land, landed in the South of France; Saint Vincent de Paul; Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church; and even a king, Saint Louis IX. Here you will be moved by their testimonies and teachings. The Church has recognized more than 10 apparitions in France of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint Ann. For the past 25 years, France has experi- enced a profound and strong renewal of the Catholic Faith through the birth of new religious com- munities, the expansion of several youth prayer groups in all major cities, the enthusiastic commit- ment of many Catholic leaders in media and politics, the development of new seminaries, and the engagement of priests and bishops in the new evangelization. Through this itinerary, you will per- sonally witness this revival and explore places where this grace continues to blossom. Be inspired by this extraordinarily touching pilgrimage designed by MAGNIFICAT especially for its readers. SAMPLE DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Day 1: DEPARTURE Today you will depart on your overnight flight from your airport. Meals will be served onboard. Day 2: MARSEILLE / SAINT-MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME → Arrival in Marseille Provence Airport. Welcome by your English-speaking tour guide and transfer to Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume (46 miles). Lunch on your own. Arrive and settle into the Royal Convent in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. → Possibility of Mass The Royal Convent is an ancient convent recently turned into a 4-star hotel, which has kept the spirit of the monastery with lots of charm and comfort. Din- ner and overnight stay at the Royal Convent in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Day 3: SAINT-MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME / CASSIS / COTIGNAC / LE THORONET / SAINT-MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME Breakfast at the hotel. -> MAGNIFICAT Prayer for the Morning Transfer to Cassis (42 miles). Visit and marvel at the natural beauty of creation during this stop to view the calanques of Cassis near Marseille. Extending over 12.5 miles along the Med- iterranean Coast, this rugged landscape, formed by a deep valley cut by a river then flooded by the sea, is known for its staggering beauty. Within the enchanting surroundings of Cassis, enjoy a glass of wine by the port, discover the coastline by boat, or walk the path that winds through Cassis. Transfer to Cotignac (62 miles). Possible lunch with the community. Between Cannes and Marseille, visit Notre-Dame de Graces in Cotignac. A typical village of the Provence region, Cotignac is known for having been the site of apparitions of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus as well as by that of Saint Joseph. These apparitions make this small village the only one in the world where the entire Holy Family has appeared! Pilgrims today can visit the sanctuary and speak to and pray with the community of Saint Jean, a dynamic renewal community of apostolic brothers and sisters. Meeting with a brother of the Saint Jean community. The sanctuary was built after the apparition of the Virgin on August 10, 1519. As he had done each day, Jean de la Baume, a shepherd in the region, began his day with prayer. One day the Virgin told him to build a church at this precise spot so that pilgrims might come in procession to receive the grace and gifts that she wanted to grant them. France became the recipient of such graces in the 17th century. After years of infertility, the royal couple, Anne of Austria and Louis XIII, went on pilgrimage to Cotignac, and Louis XIV was born soon afterwards. To give thanks and praise, King Louis XIII consecrated France to the Virgin Mary. A young King Louis XIV visited in 1660 to thank the Virgin Mary for the gift of his life. Transfer to Le Thoronet (12 miles). Midway between Marseille and Nice, visit the very beautiful Abbey of Thoronet, nestled in the green hills of the back country of Provence. Its very simplistic architecture and light make it one of the most remarkable examples of Cistercian architecture in France. As a result, the site is listed as a national historical monument. No monks have lived in the abbey since 1971. Today, the abbey has a new spiritual dimension thanks to Bishop Rey, bishop of Fréjus-Toulon. Under his di- rection, a Gregorian chant Mass is now celebrated there every Sunday. Adjacent to the abbey, visit the monastery Notre-Dame du Torrent de Vie. There, a young community of contemplative and eremitic sisters of the Monas- tic Family of Bethlehem and of the Assumption of the Virgin, which also has a monastery in the Archdiocese of New York, welcomes you. They are a testi- mony to the renewal of the Faith in France. ->Meeting with Bishop Dominique Rey, bishop of Frejus-Toulon, who is actively involved in the new evangelization. ->Mass in the monastery with the Sisters of Bethleem. Transfer to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (34 miles). Dinner at the hotel. ->Private concert featuring Gregorian chant in the Basilica de Santa Maria Magdalena with Jubilate Toulon Choir (Gregorian chant). ->MAGNIFICAT Prayer for the Evening Overnight at the Royal Convent in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Day 4: SAINT-MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME / CANNES / ILE DE LERINS / CANNES / SAINT-MAXIMIN Today you will live a special day in the desert at the wonderful abbey of Lérins. Breakfast at the hotel. ->MAGNIFICAT Prayer for the Morning Transfer to Cannes (50 miles). Boat ride Cannes / Ile de Lérins. Mass in the abbey. ->Wine tasting. Lunch at the abbey (pending). Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Lérins (with its fortified tower) on the island of Saint Honorat, south of Cannes on the Azur Coast. Here in this magnificent desert landscape, the brothers invite you to share in silent prayer and contemplation. Their relationship with the world is illustrated by the Abbey's position on the Island of Saint-Honorat, near the coast but separated by the sea, enabling them to be "in the world" without being "of the world." The brothers live by the rule of Saint Benedict, which combines prayer and work. The abbey is particularly known for its production of good wines and liquors. In the 5th century, Saint Honorat was drawn to the monastic ideal and founded the community on the island of Lérina, which now bears the name of the saint. This monastery would rapidly become one of the greatest centers of Western monasticism. The abbey was a profound spiritual influence on many brothers including Saint Maxim and its founder Saint Honorat, who went on to become Bishop of Arles. They and other bishops from the abbey were greatly responsible for the conversion of Pro- vence to Catholicism. Several well-known saints spent time at the abbey of Lérins including Saint Patrick, who lived here before leaving to bring the Gospel to Ireland. ->Meeting with a brother of the religious community for lectio divina. Boat ride Ile de Lérins / Cannes. Transfer to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (70 miles). ->MAGNIFICAT Prayer for the Evening Dinner and overnight at the Royal Convent in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Day 5: SAINT-MAXIMIN-LA-SAINTE-BAUME / GORDES / AVIGNON Breakfast at the hotel. ->MAGNIFICAT Prayer for the Morning Transfer to Gordes (72 miles). Mass The Abbey of Sénanque is located in the heart of Provence in an extraordinarily beautiful setting highlighted by fields of lavender. One of the purest exam- ples of early Cistercian architecture, the abbey is still in use by a community of Cistercian monks. We will enjoy a guided tour of the 12th century abbey including the dormitory, the abbey church, the cloister, the heating room, and the chapter room. As the monks say, it is the testimony of men brought together by the call of Christ to follow him more closely that gives meaning to the religious edifice." The Cistercians organize their day around three pillars: the liturgical divine offices, lectio divina, and work. The offices high- light that communal praise of and thanksgiving to God is paramount above all other activities and reminds us that even one's work is itself a praise offering. Obedient to the Rule of Saint Benedict, which indicates "they are truly monks if they live by the work of their hands,” the Brothers of Sénanque produce honey, essential oils, jams, beauty products, and numer- ous items derived from lavender—all available at the abbey store. Lunch on your own in the wonderful village of Gordes, "one of the most beautiful villages in France.” Transfer to Avignon (24 miles). Visit the famous papal palace, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Avignon was the seat of the papacy between 1309 and 1423 before it returned to Rome. The construction of the palace began in 1335. It is the largest example of Medieval Gothic construction. Two popes were responsible for directing the construction and gave the palace elements of a Christian fortress — ramparts, a keep, moats, and a magnificent chapel. Six conclaves were held here and resulted in the elections of Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI, and Benedict XIII. The pa- pacy returned to Rome after improved relations between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and for political reasons.