Visiting the Marian Shrines of Europe

By Amber Betts

The Marian shrines in Europe mean something very profound in the hearts of many Catholics. For those who make the pilgrimage, the stories of the Blessed Virgin Mary apparitions continue to stimulate faith, devotion, contemplations, and pure joy for years to come. Travelers who visit these sits agree that this is an unparalleled experience.

We began Globus’ “Marian Shrines of Europe” tour in Lisbon, Portugal. The evening began by meeting our fellow pilgrims and tour director. The group was a wonderful mix of people. Several families were traveling with grandparents and parents with children (ages 11-16 years). We dined on traditional Portuguese dishes while learning about our upcoming adventure.

Globus’ Marian shrines tour is 12 days (including travel time to and from the U.S.) and ends in Madrid. In Portugal we visited Fatima. In Spain the highlights were Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Zaragoza and Madrid. Of course, no Marian shrines trip would be complete without visiting Lourdes, France.

After our guided tour of Lisbon, we headed north to Santarem, site of a famous eucharistic miracle. We learned the story and visited the Church of the Holy Miracle to see the miraculous host still enclosed in its crystal pyx.

Next we arrived in Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children in 1917. Although the details of our daily itinerary were general, we were happily surprised to learn we would visit many of the important sites in the area. The main attraction in Fatima is the esplanade, which includes the main Basilica, the Chapel of the Apparitions and the heart of the Sanctuary with its water springs. Our Globus hotel was located literally feet from Our Lady of Fatima Shrine.

Our morning excursion in Fatima brought us to Aljustrel to visit the homes where the three children lived. It was touching to meet their relatives, who are still the proprietors of the modest dwellings that are open for pilgrims. A few steps from their home is a beautiful monument to one of the sites where the vision occurred. Next we traveled a short distance to Valinhos, the location of additional apparition sites and the Hungarian Stations of the Cross. There was time for prayer and reflection at the stations. Then we visited the Parish Church where the three children were baptized. This was a charming area, and you really absorbed the sense of a simple Portuguese life. It felt as if it could either be today or 100 years ago.

One of the highlights in Fatima is the evening ceremony – attending Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions and joining in the rosary and candlelight procession. This was a spectacular experience and undoubtedly touched each and every one of us differently. It was a spiritual moment that simply cannot be expressed in words. I can still hear the melody of the faithful singing the Ave Maria in my head.

Next it was time to move north beyond the border into Spain. It was bittersweet leaving the wonderful country of Portugal, but our short time there was profound and exceeded expectations.

Ah, Santiago de Compostela. My traveling companion and I simply loved this town. This well-preserved medieval city is the final stop on the famous Way of St. James pilgrimage. This pilgrimage route has been traveled for over a thousand years. Santiago de Compostela is also a university town with narrow, winding streets filled with historic buildings, shops and tapas restaurants. I would love to spend a long weekend there!

Again we were impressed with our hotel–four stars, great food, helpful staff and all the quality you’ve come to expect from Globus hotels. We enjoyed the guided tour and a bit of free time before moving on to historic Burgos for sightseeing and overnight.

Burgos is about halfway between Santiago de Compostela and the next important Marian shrine. It is a long trek, but we traveled in a top-of-the-line motorcoach; the drive was relaxing and full of spectacular scenery. It was a very smooth ride with many stops along the way. Our tour director kept us entertained at times and allowed us to nap as well.

Our drive eventually brought us through the green landscape of the Basque Coast and the increasingly hilly Pyrenees mountains. Finally we arrived in Lourdes, France. As with our previous stops, we had a local guide who gave an excellent orientation tour of the grounds, pointing out the most important sites. We also toured the birthplace of St. Bernadette. There is so much to see and do on the sanctuary grounds. With a full day and a half of free time, everyone had the opportunity to see everything they wished at their leisure. Recommendations included: visiting both Basilicas, the Grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in 1858, attending Mass at the massive underground Basilica, bathing in the miraculous waters, visiting the museums and joining in the evening rosary and candlelight procession. Spiritual renewal abounds at every corner.

I must also mention the hotel in Lourdes. Recently refurbished, the Grand Hotel Moderne is exquisite. The lobby, bar, dining rooms, crystal chandeliers and grand staircase are of Baroque design. The hotel is located 150 feet from the sanctuaries. Many of the rooms have a balcony or view onto the esplanade. The food and the staff were also exceptional.

After saying au revoir to France, it was time to return to Spain. We headed south to Zaragoza, a fascinating and diverse city. We had an excellent guide who took us on a walking tour. Here we visited the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. James in 40 A.D. The pillar where she appeared is conserved within the basilica.

Our journey concluded in the capital city of Madrid. The orientation tour included a visit to the world-famous Prado Museum. Our guide showed us masterpieces by artists such as Diego Velazquez and Francisco Goya. What better a way to end our trip but with a typical Spanish farewell dinner. We enjoyed paella, music and sangria.

Although the spiritual focus of this tour was extensive, the trip included the essential features of any fun and exciting vacation. We enjoyed the culture, cuisine, shopping and scenery of the places we visited. We made new friends and experienced something that that truly happens once in a lifetime. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who wishes to deepen their faith and experience the world in a shining new light. For some, a trip like this may end up being their first and/or last time visiting these countries. But mark my words! Portugal, Spain and France: I will see you again! Hasta la vista!

Globus plans 16 departures of “Marian Shrines of Europe” from March 17, 2010, to April 6, 2011. Land-only prices start at $1,889, double occupancy. (www.globusfaith.com)