Day 1: DEPARTURE DAY — (Pilgrimage B) Dinner and breakfast are served on your trans-Atlantic flight to Paris.

Day 2: PARIS — On arrival in Paris you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for unpacking, relaxing or perhaps a visit to the Louvre. Tonight meet the other members at dinner. - (D)

Day 3: PARIS / MIRACULOUS MEDAL. — Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. Here the Blessed Virgin spoke to St. Catherine Laboure and pilgrims today venerate an effigy of teh saint. Then, enjoy a drive through Paris, highlighting Champs Elysee, the Arch of Triumph and the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards visit Notre Dame Cathedral. The afternoon is yours - perhaps an optional excursion to Versailles, shopping and perhaps just to saok up the exquisite atmosphere of the French capitol. - (B)

Day 4: LOURDES — After breakfast board the world's fastest train (TGV). Travel past the chateau country and the Bordeaux wine region to Lourdes. Tonight join other pilgrims in a torchlight procession. - (B,D)

Day 5: LOURDES — Mass at the Grotto is followed by a guided walking tour, including St. Bernadette's childhood home; the Basilica of the Rosary; the Upper Basilica, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception; And the underground Basilica of St. Pius X. In the afternoon you have opportunity to visit the Baths, the site of many miracles and to attend the Blessing of the Sick. - (B,D)

Day 6: AVIGNON - LA SALETTE — Head east past Carcassone and through the Rhone River Delta to Avignon. After a rest stop in the beautiful city along the banks of thr Rhone River dominated by the Popes' Dactle. Continue to La Salette for dinner and overnight at the shrines of the monastery. - (B,D)

Day 7: IN LA SALETTE — Enjoy magificent mountain splendor of La Salette. Ascend to the spot where the apparition took place — Later explore the monastery. - (B,D)

Day 8: MILAN - PADUA — Journey past Alpine scenery with view of Mt. Blanc, Europe's highest mountain and descend into the vast Po River valley on the Italian side. In Milan visit the distinctive Duomo, view La Scala, enter La Galleria, the "grand dad" of our modern malls, and visit the crypt of St. Ambrose. Continue to Padua. - (B,D)

Day 9: PADUA - VENICE — Celebrate mass at the crypt of St. Anthony, located in the world's only eight-domed Basilica. Afterwards visit the huge sanctuary including the Chapel of Relics. Depart for nearby Venice where, upon arrival, you will cruise on a "avapetto" along the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square. Your local guide will take you on a walk to St. Mark's Cathedral, the famous square also named after the evangelist, Rialto Bridge and the Doge's Palace with its Bridge of Sighs leading to the notorious Dungeons. Afterwards, you have plenty of time for independent exploration and a gondola ride (your guide will assist with negotiations). Return to Padua for dinner and overnight. - (B,D)

Day 10: PISA - FLORENCE — Travel south across the fertile Po River plains and across the spectacular Appeninnes mountain range to Pisa to see one of the world's most unique landmarks, The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Continue to Florence. A guided walking tour illuminates Florence's riches of the Renaissance. The marble Duomo and the Bell Tower by Giotto; The Baptistry with its bronze "Doors of Paradise"; Santa Croce church and famed Ponte Vecchio spanning the Arno River. - (B,D)

Day 11: SIENA - ASSISI — Ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the Tuscan capitol. Also see a replica of Michelangelo's "David". Then, a scenic drive takes you throough the Chiati wine region to Siena. Explore world famous Il Campo, site of the colorful horse races, and the place affiliated with St. Catherine of Siena. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. - (B,D)

Day 12: IN ASSISI — Visit the church of San Damiano before entering the walled, medieval part of Assisi. Visit St. Clare's basilica then walk by St Francis' birthplace and parental home to the huge basilica erectd over the final resting place of St. Francis. Following Mass at the Saint's crypt, explore the huge basilica above. Later in Lower Assisi, at St. Mary's of the Angels Basilica visit Porziuncola; see the thorn-less rosebush; the statue of St. Francis, adorned by a pair of live white doves; and teh cave where the saint retreated for prayer. The afternoon is free. - (B, D)

Day 13: CASCIA (St. Rita) - ROME — Depart Assisi for St. Rita's Cascia. After Mass in the beautiful church dedicated to the saint, at the adjacent convent followed by the story of her tragic life as one of the nuns guides us through the convent, little has changed since the days when St. Rita lived there. Later continue along ancient Via Salaria to teh "Eternal City" for dinner and overnight. - (B, D)

Day 14: ROME / VATICAN — Visit St. Peter's Basilica and Square, explore the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, site of the recent election of our new Holy Father, Benedict XVI, and see Michelangelo's celebrated "The Last Judgement". Afterwards visit the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs and St. Paul Outside the Walls, erected over the Apostle's tomb. - (B)

Day 15: ROME / PAPAL AUDIENCE / CATACOMBS — Today attend an Audience and blessing by the Holy Father. Later drive along the ancient Appian Way past the Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis?" to the Catacombs where the early Christians buried their dead. On return, stop to view the Colosseum and visit the Forum, center of Imperial Rome. Then explore Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. - (B)

Day 16: RETURN FLIGHT — The time has come to say "Arrividerci Roma" as you transfer to Leonardo da Vinci Airport. Arrive home later today.