Following the footsteps of the Missionaries

Transcription

1 Following the footsteps of the Missionaries From Toronto to Montreal --Including Niagara Falls -- September 14t h 25 th, 2018 $3, from Los Angeles and San Francisco DAY 1 Friday, september 14th Meals : dinner ARRIVAL TORONTO/NIAGARA FALLS Arrival Toronto Pearson airport and meet with your tour guide. Transfer directly to Niagara Falls(1h30 drive) Check-in to your hotel. Dinner and lodging. DAY 2 Saturday, September 15th Meals : breakfast + lunch NIAGARA FALLS/TORONTO This morning you will board a cruise. You will experience the thundering roar, awesome power and amazing mist of the mighty Niagara Falls! Panoramic luncheon. Depending on schedule a private mass could be arranged at Mount Carmel Monastery. You will drive toward Niagara on the Lake, a charming Victorian village on your way to Toronto. Check-in to your hotel, dinner and lodging. DAY 3 Sunday, September 16th TORONTO /THOUSAND ISLAND Depart this morning for a panoramic Toronto tour. Welcome to Toronto, the most multiculturally diverse city on the planet: over 140 languages are spoken. It's estimated that over half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada, You will discover the Harbour Front. St. Lawrence Market, Queen's Park., Eaton center, Chinatown, City Hall etc,,, Lunch on your own. Depart toward 1000 island area. Upon arrival, cruise on the 1000 islands, a constellation of over 1800 rugged islands dotting the St Lawrence River from Kingston to Brockville. The lush archipelago offers loose tufts of fog, showers of trillium petals, quaking tide pools and opulent 19th-century summer mansions, whose turrets pierce the prevailing mist.

2 Check-in to your hotel. Dinner and lodging DAY 4 Monday, September 17th THOUSAND ISLAND/OTTAWA/MONTREAL Drive toward the national capital: Upon arrival, Ottawa orientation tour with Parliament Hill, Byward market, Rideau canal. Lunch at leisure and continue onto Quebec province. Drive toward Sainte Kateri Tekakwitha shrine, the first Amerindian to be canonized in Guided tour of the Jesuit Mission established in 1720, the Museum of Fort St. Louis and the tomb of Sainte Kateri Tekakwitha. Then, depart to Montreal for an orientation tour of the city. Welcome to Montreal the city of the hundred church steeples. In 1535 the Iroquoian village of Hochelaga was visited by French explorer Jacques Cartier, and approximately 100 years later Sieur de Maisonneuve founded the settlement of Ville-Marie, Montréal's former name. The first sign of Christianity was the cross planted in 1643 atop Mount Royal. While still the highest monument in Montréal, - the cross stands 30 metres (98 feet) high and when lit, can be seen from miles away - it's far from being the only symbol in a city colonized during centuries by the French and the British. Montréal's legacy of religious art, architecture and music makes it one of the most enriched cities on the continent. You will have a panoramic view of the city from the Mount Royal s belvedere. Check in to your hotel downtown. Dinner and lodging. DAY 5 - September 18th Meals : Breakfast + dinner MONTREAL Departure to Saint Joseph Oratory where a guided tour will let you discover the life of Brother André, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross Fathers. Clinging to the side of Mount Royal, the sanctuary of Saint Joseph's Oratory is one of the busiest pilgrimage places in the world. The majestic structure whose dome rises 97 meters (the second highest after the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome) contrasts with the fragile nature of its founder, Blessed Brother André, modest porter who had started construction in Made up of a small primitive chapel, a votive chapel, a crypt and a basilica, the shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph contains several relics of blessed and votive offerings of pilgrims healed miraculously. Its great organs and its carillon of 53 bells revive the works of great composers. Mass (subjected to availability) Afternoon guided tour of the city where you will be able to discover the city from the days of Fort Ville-Marie to the Montréal of today. As you discover the most important streets, landmarks and stories of the second largest French-speaking metropolis, you will experience what makes Montréal so unique! This tour will include:

3 Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. The original building was destroyed by fire in The current structure was inspired by Saint Peter's in Rome. Discover Old Montréal with Notre Dame de Bonsecours, Place Jacques Cartier, and a guided tour of the Basilica «Notre Dame de Montreal» which receives each year hundreds of thousands of visitors attracted by its Gothic splendor and historical treasures: carved wood, paintings, stained glass and sculptures. Dinner in old town. Lodging. DAY 6 September 19th MONTRÉAL/ ST ANTHONY HERMITAGE Visit the Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours Chapel, the first stone chapel in Montreal. The chapel was erected on the initiative of Sainte Marguerite Bourgeoys: missionary, director, teacher, religious and «mother» of the colony. She was the co-founder of Montreal and founder of the Congregation of Notre-Dame. She was canonized in Mass (upon availability) Depart toward Lac St Jean area. Drive toward St. Anthony's Hermitage of Lac-Bouchette. Operated by the Capucin Fathers, this Hermitage is a place of pilgrimage known for the quality of its spiritual approach, and its beautiful natural environment on the shores of lac Ouiatchouan near lac Saint-Jean. You will find a magnificent bell tower overlooking the site, a concert pipe organ, hiking trail, a bilingual audio-guided tour. Local and delicious terroir food is served in the dining room and you will have spectacular views over the lake. Time to relax and discover this beautiful natural site. Mass. Dinner and overnight Hermitage. DAY 7 septembre 20th ST ANTHONY HERMITAGE Meals : breakfast + lunch + dinner You will spend the whole day discovering the Hermitage. You will visit the museum, the St Anthony tower, the grotto with statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Mariale Chapel etc. Many pastorale activites such as Way of the Cross and Sharing of the Gospel are offered. Also a guided hike to see the local fauna and flora will be organised (depending weather conditions). Lunch. Afternoon at leisure to experience the beauty of this natural site. Dinner and mass. Lodging at Hermitage.

4 DAY 8 September 21st ST ANTHONY HERMITAGE /CHARLEVOIX / STE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE Mass. Drive toward Quebec city. Stop en route at Baie St Paul, a charming village in Charlevoix area. The Charlevoix region is named after the Jesuit priest François-Xavier de Charlevoix, New France s first historian. Long ago, agriculture, trade, and logging were how people made a living. But little by little, tourism found its niche. Now it is the driving force in the region s economy Boardinghouses and small hotels welcomed visitors seeking fresh air and picturesque scenery. Discover Baie-Saint-Paul cultural capital, between mountains and sea. This is where poets, painters and buskers have forever found larger-than-life inspiration. Time to explore this charming village with different art gallery. Drive toward Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré sanctuary. Check-in at the Auberge. Mass. Dinner and lodging near St-Anne-de-Beaupre shrine. DAY 9 - September 22 nd STE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRE : ORLEANS ISLAND In the morning, visit the shrine of Sainte-Anne, the Way of the Cross and the Scala Santa. Visit of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Discover the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Tomb of the Venerable Father Pampalon (was declared venerable on May 14 th 1991 by Pope John Paul II) and La Pietà (an exact replica of the sculpture of Michelangelo is located in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome). Each year, more than one and a half million pilgrims visit this shrine dedicated to Sainte Anne turning it into the first shrine in North America. Mass. This afternoon departure to enjoy the wonders of Ile d Orléans. Stop en route to discover Montmorency Falls. Located between the river and the cliffs, it's one of the province's most spectacular sites. With its 83 meters high (30 meters higher than NiagaraFalls), Montmorency Falls dominates the landscape. In the middle of the mighty St. Lawrence River, but within sight of Quebec City, sits, an entire island that is a designated historical district. The traditional Quebec countryside is preserved here in this, the cradle of New France. Your guide will make you discover the architectural, artistic and cultural heritage of Île d Orléans by visiting the many churches, cemeteries, roadside crosses and other religious monuments scattered across the island. For hundreds of years, Île d Orléans, with its bountiful harvest of fruit and vegetables, abundant fishing, fertile soil and many small game animals, has been referred to as Quebec City s cornucopia Here you can delight in the island s plentiful (and flavourful) agricultural heritage nestled amid gorgeous scenery. Foods grown or made on Île d Orléans have won multiple awards and will satisfy even the most demanding palate. Tasting will be part of your tour. You will end your day in having dinner in a sugar shack where you could enjoy tradtionnal Quebecer s food. Overnight in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré area.

5 DAY 10 September 23rd Meals: breakfast + dinner STE ANNE DE BEAUPRE /QUEBEC / TROIS-RIVIÈRES The day will be dedicated to the Québec city discovery starting this morning with a pilgrimage of the Blessed Founders: François de Laval, first Bishop of Quebec. In 1659, at the age of 36 years, François de Laval arrived in New France. First bishop of Quebec, which extends from Acadia to Louisiana, worked to build the nascent Church. As a devoted pastor, he often travelled long distances on foot and canoe to visit and comfort his flock. His great devotion to the Holy family and the Guardian Angels and his unwavering faith in Providence made him an inspiring spiritual leader. As an educator he created the community of priests of the Seminary of Quebec. He also founded the Minor seminary for boys, the Great Seminar for candidate to the priesthood and the school of the Great Farm for craft workers. You will also visit the Cathedral and the Tomb of the Bishop. Dinner and lodging. Then you would discover Marie de l Incarnation founder of the Ursuline Nuns of Quebec in their exterior chapel and Catherine de Saint-Augustin, spiritual founder of the Augustinian Nuns of the l Hôtel-Dieu de Québec. A mass will be schedule during this pilgrimage. This afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of this old city. Depart toward Trois-Rivières. Check-in to La Madone located in Our Lady of the Cape shrine. DAY 11 September 24th Meals: breakfast, dinner TROIS-RIVIÈRES Depart for a guided tour of the Cap de la Madeleine Sanctuary, the largest Marian shrine in North America. It was inaugurated in 1964 but its origins date back to the mid 17th century. A combination of beautiful stained glass windows, a large organ of 75 games and a park on the river, makes this place a haven of peace and contemplation. Discover the little Sanctuary, built in 1720, the oldest church in Canada. Mass. Orientation tour of Old Trois-Rivières with its patrimonial treasure such as Cathedral of the Assumption. Work of Mgr Thomas Cooke, the first bishop of the Diocese, it s the only cathedral with Westminster style features. It also has 125 stained-glass windows from Guido Nincheri, which are among the most beautiful in the country. Dinner. Lodging at La Madone. DAY 12 September 25th Meals: breakfast TROIS-RIVIÈRES / MONTRÉAL AIRPORT Transfer to Montreal airport. Check-in to your flight.

6 Our price includes Transportation with motorcoach with AC and toilet Bilingual (English-French) tour leader throughout the tour Accommodation in standard hotel and religious houses for 11 nights: Niagara Falls: Travelodge at the falls Toronto: Quality suites Mississauga Montréal: Suites Labelle St Anthony Hermitage : Shrine inn Trois Rivières: La Madone (Our Lady of the Cape Shrine) Ste Anne de Beaupré : Quality suites Local, provincial and federal taxes 11 breakfasts, 2 luncheon and 10 dinners as mentioned on the program One complimentary package in double occupancy from 30 paying passengers (31 st free) Entrance fees to places of pilgrimage and tourist sites mentioned in the program Local guides for visits Daily mass(except last day) Prices do not include Expenses of a personal nature Lunches (except on day 5) Tips to tour leader, local guides and driver Offerings at mass Travel insurance Drinks Porterage