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Join HELEN SHEA MURPHY on a pilgrimage to S PAIN & P ORTUGAL S PIRITUAL D IRECTOR: F R. T IM C AMPOLI O CTOBER 3 - 14, 2013 $3,595 FROM WASHINGTON, DC www.pilgrimages.com/helensheamurphy LEARN MORE Scan this code with your smartphone's reader app to learn more about this pilgrimage! INTRODUCTION & SAMPLE DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY ABOUT SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA The History of El Camino (The Way of St. James or St. James' Way), often known by its Spanish name, el Camino de Santiago, is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where legend has itthat the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried. The Way of St James has existed for over a thousand years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times. It was considered one of three pilgrimages on which a plenary indulgence could be earned; the others are the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrim- ageto Jerusalem. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. There are some, however, who claim that the bodily remains at Santiago belong to Priscillian, the fourth- century Galician leader of an ascetic Christian sect, Priscillianism, who was one of the first Christian heretics to be executed. There is not a single route; the Way can take one of any number of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. However a few of the routes are considered main ones. Santia- go is such an important pilgrimage destination because it is considered the burial site of the apostle, James the Great. During the Middle Ages, the route was highly traveled. However, the Black Plague, the Protestant Reformation and political unrest in 16th- century Europe resulted in its decline. By the 1980s, only a few pilgrims arrived in Santiago annually. However, since then, the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from around the globe. The route was declared the first European Cultural Route James the Great, the only reported apparition of Mary to have occurred before her by the Council of Europe in October 1987; it was also named one of Assumption. Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Ignatius of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1993. Today tens of thousands of Chris- Loyola, all paid their devotions before the statue of Mary at the Basilica. With tian pilgrims and other travelers set out each year from their front doorstep, or some free time in the city, you will have Dinner and overnight at the Hotel. popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some Day 6 | October 8, 2013: Zaragoza - Garabandal After a filling breakfast we depart towards the city of Garabandal. After checking of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey (for example, into the Hotel, your tour guide may suggest some points of interest, or you can the British author and humorist Tim Moore). explore on your own. Dinner and overnight will be held back at the Hotel. ABOUT FATIMA: Day 7 | October 9, 2013: Garabandal The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is one of most famous Marian shrines in After breakfast, we will explore the city of Garabandal. Little has changed in this the world. Drawn by apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three local shepherd rural town since Jun 18, 1961 when four children had an apparition first of an children in 1917. Four million people visit Fatima each year. The Blessed Angel sent to prepare the children for a visit from the Virgin. From Jul 2, 1961 Virgin Mary appeared to shepherd children on the 13th day of six consecutive sporadically until Nov 13, 1965, the Blessed Virgin visited them, speaking, guiding months in 1917, starting on May 13th until October 13th. The events at Fati- and confiding secrets of future events. The children reported a promised future ma gained particular fame due to their elements of prophecy and eschatolo- miracle at the grove of pine trees on a bluff overlooking the village of Garabandal. gy, particularly with regard to possible world war and the conversion of Rus- It will be on the feast-day of a little known martyr of the Eucharist and coincide with sia. an event in the Church. During your stay you will have time for reflection, devo- tions and follow the Stations of the Cross. Speak with villagers who witnessed the apparitions, attend Mass & bask in the tranquility. Dinner & overnight at the Hotel. Day 1 | October 3, 2013: Depart Washington, DC - Spain Make your way to Washington, DC Airport where you will board your overnight Day 8 | October 10, 2013: Garabandal – Santiago de Compostela flight(s) to Madrid. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board. After breakfast, we depart for Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, we will visit Days 2 & 3 | October 4 & 5, 2013: Arrive Madrid - Avila Cathedral of St. James is one of the finest examples of architecture in all of Eu- Upon arrival in Madrid, you will meet your tour guide and then make your way to rope. As pilgrims, we have the opportunity to climb the stairs behind the high altar Avila, where you will spend the remainder of today and tomorrow. After checking to visit the crypt where the relics of St. James are preserved, touch the central in to your Hotel, we will continue our tour of Ávila. Two things distinguish Ávila- its pillar (Portico de La Gloria), view the 'botafumeiro' and admire the wealth of medi- 11th-century walls, two perfectly preserved kilometers of which surround the old eval art inside the Cathedral, before visiting the cloister museum. Enjoy a stroll on town, and the mystic writer Santa Teresa, who was born here and whose shrines own, though the beautiful streets of Santiago de Compostela, the city of the apos- are a major focus of religious pilgrimage. Ávila’s atmosphere has changed very tle, full of historical buildings and other attractions (before or after dinner). Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela. little since the days of Santa Teresa, the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church, to whom the city is dedicated. We will see the Cathedral, started in the XII Day 9 | October 11, 2013: Santiago de Compostela - Fatima Century but never finished and built in three different styles: Romanesque, Gothic After breakfast we depart for Fatima. We will stop along the way for lunch on own. and Renaissance; San Vicente church, the Incarnation Convent, where St. We will then continue on to Fatima, the place where the Blessed Mother appeared Therese became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world to her life; La Santa Monastery, built on the site of the house where she was born; peace. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. San José Convent, the first monastery founded by the Saint, etc. We return to Days 10 & 11 | October 12 & 13, 2013: Fatima (Anniversary) our hotel in time for dinner and overnight. Six times, from the May 13 to Oct 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to three Day 4 | October 6, 2013: Avila - Segovia - Agreda children belonging to the diocese of Leiria. A new church has been constructed, After breakfast depart for Agreda. Along the way, we will stop off in Segovia. Se- however just as beautiful, an older church was constructed here in 1928, and govia and its Aqueduct were declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Within millions of pilgrims visit each year. Fatima is one of the most visited holy places the environment of the old city, stand a diversity of historic buildings both civil and for Catholics from around the world. The atmosphere of intense spirituality and the religious. The Segovia Cathedral is the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. It is importance of Fatima have been attested to by the visits of two Popes: Paul VI and considered the masterpiece of Basque-Castilian Gothic and is known as “The John Paul II. Touring Fatima, see the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, Basilica, the Lady of Cathedrals.” We will continue on to Agreda, where we will check in to our site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children Hotel and then meet our local guide for our tour of the city. We will visit the Con- lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return vent of the Immaculate Conception (and its museum( where the Venerable Sister from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Maria de Jesus lived and passed away. In the chapel of the convent we will find Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Join her tomb and the glass showcase where her incorrupt body is venerated. Pending pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession. the time of arrival in Agreda, we could visit: Church of Saint Michael, The former Day 12 | October 14, 2013: Depart Fatima - Lisbon Airport - Washington, DC synagogue (nowadays a Romanesque church), the ruins of the Templar Knights Early morning transfer back to airport for your return flights home. Church, Our Lady of the Miracles Church or Our Lady of La Peña Church.