The Archdiocesan Communication Commission (ACC) is organising a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima to take place next year, 2008, from September 17 – 27 as Lourdes will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin to St Bernadette.

It is interesting to note here that as a special spiritual benefit to pilgrims, the Pope has stated that Catholics who visit the miracle shrine (at Lourdes) over the next year will receive indulgences.

A recent release from the Vatican states that plenary indulgences will be granted to pilgrims visiting the shrine during the year from December 8, 2007, until December 8, 2008.

Should you join this pilgrimage you will first arrive in Portugal via Miami where you will visit Santarem, site of the Eucharistic Miracle. In Fatima you will go to see the Basilica containing the tombs of Jacinta and Francisco, two of the children to whom Mary appeared in 1917.

You will also see the sites connected with the Apparitions – the village of Fatima, homes of the children, the church where they were baptized.

From Fatima you will cross into the Spanish countryside where you will experience the beautiful Cathedrals of Salamanca and Burgos. From there you will proceed into the Pyrenees and then to Lourdes where you will spend three days.

Here you will participate in the evening processions, attend Mass at the Grotto of the Apparitions, and visit places connected with the life of St Bernadette. You will also participate in the Blessed Sacrament Procession, the Blessing of the sick, and bathe in the miraculous waters.

The latest news coming out of the Vatican is that the Pope is expected to visit Lourdes next year, possibly in September or October. We are hoping that he will be there during our visit.

After the stay in Lourdes where you will have a free day to do whatever you want, you will travel to Montserrat, Spain’s most sacred mountain. Here you will visit the Romanesque Monastery and the shrine of the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as La Moreneta or Black Virgin, because of her dark complexion. It is then back to T&T via Miami

Should you be interesting in joining the pilgrimage and would like more information you are advised to call the ACC office 623-7620or via e-mail, communications@rcpos.org

• Spiritual Director: Fr John Theodore
  
• Date: September 17 -27, 2008
  
• Principal places to be visited: Fatima (Portugal), Cathedral of
  Salamanca, Cathedral of Burgos, Shrine of the Virgin of Montserrat (Spain),
  Lourdes
  
• Price: TT$25,650.00 includes - return air travel from T&T, breakfast
  and dinner, tips and taxes (not airport tax from T&T), double occupancy room
  in first class hotel (single rooms at an extra $US 500), travel insurance,
  coach transfers.
• First payment of TT$5,000.00 by February 29, 2008. Final payment by
  April 15, 2008
• Visas for the USA and EU necessary. The onus is on the traveller to
  obtain the necessary visas. However the ACC will be ready to
  assist in obtaining the EU visa, but at the traveller's expense.
• The names of the hotels will be given at a later date (about 3 weeks
  before departure)
• Tour goes via Miami. If anyone requests to stay over in Miami on the
  way back they can make their own arrangements after they have received their
  ticket.
• If someone from the US wants to join the tour they can join at Miami
  at $US 3,580 but they have responsibility for their own travel insurance.
• Tour price is based on current foreign exchange rates. Should
  currency values change prior to departure, ACC reserves the right to make
  the necessary adjustments of prices accordingly.