Saints & Heroes:

A Pilgrimage through France in the Footsteps of St. Joan of Arc,

St. Therese of Lisieux,  and the Heroes of WWII

Fr. Luke Farabaugh

St. Thomas More

Pensacola FL

April 26- May 5, 2027

10-days | 8-nights

Journey through the heart of France on an extraordinary pilgrimage following some of the Church’s most beloved saints and heroic witnesses of faith. Begin in Paris at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, step into the grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the spectacular beauty of Sainte-Chapelle, all standing as enduring treasures of Catholic heritage.

Continue to Lisieux, where you encounter the humble yet powerful witness of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, whose “Little Way” continues to guide countless souls to Christ. Experience the wonder of Mont Saint-Michel, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, a breathtaking sanctuary that has welcomed pilgrims for more than a thousand years.

Travel to Orléans, where St. Joan of Arc, inspired by God’s call, led France toward liberation with remarkable courage and faith. Then visit Rouen, where she endured trial and martyrdom with unwavering trust in the Lord, offering a timeless example of fidelity and perseverance.

Pray along the Normandy Beaches, reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought to secure freedom for future generations, and contemplate the enduring call to faith, service, and peace. This pilgrimage is more than a journey through France’s most treasured spiritual and historic sites—it is an encounter with saints whose courage, humility, and devotion to Christ continue to inspire believers today, reminding us that holiness is possible in every age and circumstance.

DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE

Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Paris, France

Day 2:  Arrival: Paris, France - The Eldest Daughter of the Church

Bienvenue en France!  Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport where after Baggage Claim and outside the Arrivals Hall, you will be warmly greeted by our local Trinity tour travels guide and driver who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage.

Our first full day of the pilgrimage begins right away with a visit to one of the most beloved Marian Shrines in Paris, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Rue de Bac. It was here in 1830 that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and entrusted  her with the design of the miraculous medal.  Since then, millions of pilgrims have visited this humble chapel seeking Our Lady’s intercession and carrying the famous medal throughout the world.  Nearby we visit the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul where the partially incorrupt body of this great saint rests. Known as the Apostle of Charity, St. Vincent dedicated his life to serving the poor, reforming the clergy, and strengthening the church during a tumultuous period of French history. His witness reminds us that authentic holiness is always expressed through love of God and neighbor.

A Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal with lunch on your own nearby prior to arriving at the hotel.

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Paris.

Day 3: Paris

Following an early breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Versailles, one of the most influential royal residences in European history (1-2 hours). Originally a modest hunting lodge, Versailles was transformed by King Louis XIV into a magnificent palace that became the center of political, cultural, and religious life in France. For generations, the kings of France governed from these halls, shaping the destiny of the nation and much of Europe.  Our visit includes the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. The chapel stands as a reminder that, despite the excesses often associated with the French monarchy, Catholic worship remained at the heart of royal life. Here kings attended Mass daily, major feasts were celebrated, and generations of monarchs sought God's blessing upon their reign.  Schedule permitting, we enjoy a walk through the gardens of Versailles, whose fountains, sculptures, and grand avenues reflect the artistic vision of an age that sought to express beauty on a monumental scale.  Lunch on your own before returning to Paris for a visit to Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. This beautiful church is closely associated with St. Geneviève, patroness of Paris. During the 5th century, Geneviève's courage and faith significantly inspired the people of Paris.  Her witness reminds us that holiness often flourishes in periods of trial.  Our day ends with a late afternoon visit to the Louvre Museum, one of the most magnificent cultural institutions of the world. Mass time and location TBC.

Dinner on your own & overnight in Paris.

Day 4:  Paris

Following breakfast at the hotel, we begin our day at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this magnificent gothic masterpiece has stood for centuries as one of the greatest symbols of Catholic France. Through coronations, revolutions, wars, and restoration, Notre Dame has remained a place of prayer, pilgrimage, and worship. Following the devastating fire of 2019 and its remarkable restoration, the cathedral once again stands as a testimony to the enduring beauty and resilience of the Church.  We continue to Sainte- Chapelle, one of the most extraordinary achievements of Christian art in Europe. Constructed by King Louis the XIV to house precious relics of Christ’s Passion, the church was intended to reflect heavenly glory. Its breathtaking stained-glass windows present the story of salvation through thousands of biblical scenes, transforming sunlight into a magnificent visual catechism. Nearby, we visit the Conciergerie, once part of the medieval royal palace and later transformed into a prison during the French Revolution. Here we reflect upon one of the most violent periods in French history, when political upheaval and anti-Christian sentiment brought suffering to countless priests, religious, and faithful Catholics.

Lunch on your own nearby before traveling a short way to Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur.  Rising high above Paris, this beloved basilica was constructed as a national act of prayer and reparation and remains one of the most important centers of Eucharistic Devotion in France. Known for its continuous perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament since 1885, it is in this basilica where we contemplate the boundless mercy and love found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus… while enjoying sweeping views of the city below!  Free time late this afternoon as schedule permits.  Mass time and location to be confirmed (TBC).

Dinner & overnight in Paris.

Day 5:  Paris | Orleans

Following breakfast and check-out, we depart Paris and travel south to Orléans, a city forever associated with one of the most remarkable figures in Christian history: St. Joan of Arc (2 hours).  Born in the small village of Domrémy in 1412, Joan was a simple peasant girl who believed she had received a mission from God to help save France during the Hundred Years War. Guided by visions of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret, she demonstrated extraordinary courage, conviction, and trust in divine providence.  We begin at the magnificent Cathedral of Sainte-Croix. Dedicated to the Holy Cross, this cathedral commemorates Joan's role in lifting the siege of Orléans in 1429, a decisive turning point in French history. Here we reflect upon the courage required to answer God's call, even when the path ahead appears impossible.  Mass is celebrated here this day.  We continue to the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc, where exhibits help illuminate the life, mission, and legacy of this beloved saint. Walking through the historic center of Orléans, we visit Place du Martroi and the famous equestrian statue of Joan, honoring the young woman who became a national heroine and later a saint of the Church.  Lunch on your own before continuing north to Rouen  (3 hours).  Upon arrival in Rouen, free evening as schedule permits.                              

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Rouen.

Day 6:  Rouen

After breakfast, we spend a full day in Rouen, the city known for the final chapter of St. Joan of Arc's earthly life.  Located along the River Seine, Rouen was one of the most important cities of medieval France. It was here, under English control, that Joan was imprisoned, interrogated, tried, and ultimately condemned to death in 1431. Yet it was also here that her fidelity to God shone most brilliantly.  We begin at the Historical Jeanne d'Arc, one of the most comprehensive museums dedicated to the saint. Through multimedia presentations and historical documents, we gain deeper insight into the political and religious complexities surrounding her trial.  We continue to the magnificent Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Rouen. One of the great French masterpieces of Gothic architecture, the cathedral has inspired pilgrims, artists, and saints for centuries. Within its walls we contemplate Joan's eventual vindication by the Church and her canonization in 1920.  We proceed to the Old Market Square, where Joan was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. Here we pause for prayer and reflection, remembering a nineteen-year-old girl whose faith remained unshaken in the face of suffering, humiliation, and death.  Nearby stands the modern Church of Saint Joan of Arc, built on the site associated with her martyrdom. The church's dramatic architecture evokes both the flames of her execution and the sails of a ship, symbolizing the victory of faith over death.  Mass is celebrated here this day.  Lunch on your own in Rouen with a guided walk through the medieval streets of Rouen.

Dinner on your own & overnight in Rouen.

Day 7: Rouen | Lisieux | Mont Saint-Michele

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel and we depart Rouen for Lisieux, one of the most beloved pilgrimage destinations in modern Catholic history (1.5 hours).  Though she lived a hidden life and died at only twenty-four years of age, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus became one of the most influential saints of modern times. Through her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood, she taught that holiness is achieved not through extraordinary deeds but through extraordinary love in ordinary circumstances.  We visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Thérèse, one of the largest pilgrimage churches built in the twentieth century. The basilica stands as a tribute to the young Carmelite whose simple spirituality continues to inspire millions throughout the world.  Mass is celebrated here this day.  We visit the Carmelite monastery, the Carmel of Lisieux, where Thérèse lived her religious life. Here she wrote “Story of a Soul” and offered countless hidden sacrifices for the salvation of souls. We also visit sites associated with her holy parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, the first married couple canonized together by the Church.  Lunch on your own before departing for Normandy and the Mont Saint-Michel region (2.5 hours). Check-in, dinner & overnight in the Mont Saint-Michel area.

Day 8:   Mont-Saint-Michele

Breakfast followed by a full day on this tidal island, located off the northwestern coast of Normandy.  It is one of the earliest places inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its rich heritage and dramatic natural setting. Our visit centers around the majestic Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. To reach the abbey, the group will first be dropped off by bus approximately 1.5 miles from the shuttle point. A shuttle will then take us to within 270 yards of the island entrance. From there, we continue on foot along the cobblestone streets through the medieval village, covering about 250 more yards to reach the base of the climb. 

PLEASE NOTE: The ascent to the abbey involves climbing 350 steps known as the “Grand Degré,” beginning near the parish church. There is no elevator access, so this day requires a good degree of mobility and a high degree of physical fitness. However, the effort is rewarded with both breathtaking views and a profound spiritual experience.  Mont-Saint-Michel's religious significance dates to the year 708, when St. Michael the Archangel appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranches in a vision, instructing him to build a sanctuary on the rocky mount. After two additional apparitions, the bishop carried out the heavenly command, and a chapel was built in honor of St. Michael.  Nearly 300 years later, Benedictine monks settled on the island and began organizing the structures into a formal monastery to welcome pilgrims. The monks offered hospitality and spiritual formation to those who came seeking prayer and penance. Over the centuries, the abbey has endured wars, destruction, and secularization—particularly during the French Revolution, when it was converted into a prison.  In the 20th century, efforts were made to restore the sacred character of the site. Today, the Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem resides at Mont-Saint-Michel, carrying on the tradition of prayer and community life.  Lunch on your own with free time to explore the charming village below, with its narrow lanes, stone houses, cafés, and local shops. Mont-Saint-Michel is also famed for its dramatic tides, which can advance with astonishing speed, tide that “comes in with the speed of a galloping horse”!   Mass time and location TBC.

Check-in, dinner & overnight on Mont-Saint-Michele.

Day 9:  Mont-Saint Michel | Beaches of Normandy

Following an early breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the historic Beaches of Normandy (2.5 hours).   We arrive at one of the most solemn and historically significant places in modern history—the Normandy landing sites of World War II.  June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, marks the beginning of the Allied invasion that helped liberate France and ultimately all of Europe from Nazi occupation. The operation continued until July 24, 1944 and became a pivotal turning point in the war.  Tens of thousands of Allied soldiers—American, British, Canadian, Scottish, and French—stormed the beaches that morning. Their sacrifice was immense, with thousands giving their lives on that very day in the name of freedom and justice. Today, the shoreline of Normandy still bears marks courageous, and it remains a place of reflection, gratitude, and prayer.  We begin our visit at Bénouville’s Pegasus Bridge, the first objective secured by British paratroopers just after midnight on D-Day.  We continue to Arromanches, part of the Gold Beach sector, where the Allies constructed the largest artificial harbor in history—an engineering marvel that allowed tanks, troops, and supplies to enter France and sustain the campaign inland.  We visit Omaha Beach, the most recognized and heavily defended of the landing sites. Known for its steep bluffs and difficult terrain, this beach saw the highest number of casualties on D-Day. It remains a sacred place of remembrance and a symbol of sacrificial courage.  Our day in Normandy invites us to contemplate the moral weight of war, the sanctity of life, and the call to peace. Many chaplains and faithful soldiers served and died here, and we remember them as men who carried not only weapons, but rosaries and the hope of a restored peace grounded in truth. Lunch on your own at a nearby prior to our return to Paris (3 hours). Mass time and location TBC. 

Check-in, Farewell Dinner & overnight in Paris.

Day 10: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. With many holy, historic, and vivid memories of  France and her saints and heroes, we transfer to the airport for your departure to the USA.   Dans le Coeur de Jesus et Marie!