Saint Therese Parish

Join Father Gregory Kandt for an inspiring and customized journey to France.  Our program traverses some of the most beautiful parts of France – from Normandy to Paris and to areas in and around Dijon, Annecy, and Geneva (in Switzerland).  We will walk in the footsteps of some of the most important visionary men and women of faith – people who offered new ways to respond to the exigencies of their time, bringing the Gospel to life. We begin in the charming town of Lisieux to explore the life and times of St. Therese of Lisieux.  We travel to Paris via Alencon (birthplace of St. Therese) and Versailles (the magnificent palace constructed by Louis XIV and the center of French royal life and politics).  In Paris our focus will be on sites associated with St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac who founded orders that addressed the plight of the poor.  We then head southeast toward Dijon, stopping in Avon-Fontainebleau to see the Carmelite center. Dijon is a historic town at the center of a rich wine growing and agricultural region blessed with inventive cuisine and art.  We continue the theme of our program visiting sites associated with visionary saints including Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Dijon Carmel.  We continue to Ars to explore the life and times of the Cure’ of Ars before traveling to the breathtakingly beautiful town of Annecy and finally, to Geneva.  We will celebrate Eucharist in historic venues and enjoy local cuisine and wine throughout our program. The itinerary is a feast for the soul, for the eyes, and for the palate – savoring the spiritual and cultural heritage of France.

Program Itinerary

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
We depart as pilgrims from Washington Dulles to Paris.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
We arrive in Paris.  Our tour manager will meet us and accompany us to Lisieux - about 3+ hours from Paris.  Depending on the arrival time of our flight, we may include a visit to a site en route - such as the magnificent cathedral at Rouen.  Once we arrive in Lisieux, we will check in to our hotel with time to freshen up, relax, and explore the neighborhood before we have a welcome liturgy and dinner.  Overnight Lisieux. 

Thursday, November 14, 2024
Breakfast.  This morning, we will visit the house where St. Therese lived from the age of four to fifteen (when she joined the Carmelites). We will visit the Carmelite Monastery which has exhibits and relics associated with St. Therese, and we will visit the spectacular Basilica of St. Therese - the largest church built in 20th century France to honor this visionary woman.  Other sites associated with St. Therese's life will be pointed out in town.  We will celebrate Mass at either the Basilica or the Carmelite Monastery.  We will have time for reflection and prayer at various sites.  Dinner at our hotel.  Overnight Lisieux.

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Friday, November 15, 2024
Breakfast.  This morning we travel to Paris via Versailles and Alencon (the birthplace of St. Therese). We will visit St. Therese's birth home and celebrate Mass in Alencon. We will travel to Versailles and have a guided visit of the palace. We will then proceed into Paris proper to check in to our hotel.  Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight Paris.

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Saturday, November 16, 2024
Breakfast.  Today we will explore the heritage of St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac - the Vincentians and the Daughters of Charity.  We will visit Rue de Bac and the chapel of the Miraculous Medal (with Mass). We will also visit the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul (where he is buried).  In the afternoon, we will visit the Catholic Institute (the Church and Jardin des Carmes).  Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Overnight Paris.

Sunday, November 17, 2024
Breakfast.  We will visit the Eiffel Tower before leaving Paris for Dijon.  En route to Dijon we will stop in Avon-Fontainebleau to see the Carmelite spiritual life center.  We will have Mass there before continuing to Dijon.  Dinner will be at a local restaurant.  Overnight Dijon.

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Monday, November 18, 2024
Breakfast.  Today we will visit St. Michael's Basilica, which is the place where Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity was baptized and received her first Communion.  We will also visit the Dijon Carmel, which is located in Flavignerot (they have preserved her cell, but what we would want to know, if we could go there, is if people can see her cell or if it's in the enclosure and thus off limits).  We will celebrate Mass at the Dijon Carmel before continuing to Ars-sur-Formans.  Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Ars-sur-Formans.

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Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Breakfast.  Today we will visit various sites in Ars associated with the Cure' d'Ars - including the tomb, the basilica (with Mass), and other sites.  In the afternoon, we will make a visit to the interfaith and international community of Taize' to learn about their work and community.  We will participate in one of their liturgies.  We will return to Ars for dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight Ars-sur-Formans.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Breakfast.  Today we will travel to Geneva by way of Annecy, one of the most beautiful cities in France.  We will enjoy a walking tour of the old city and a guided visit to the Castle.  We will celebrate liturgy today (TBD) and then continue to Geneva where we will check in to our hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight Geneva.

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Thursday, November 21, 2024
Breakfast.  We will transfer to the Geneva airport for our return flight(s) to Dulles airport.
 

Inclusive Features:

• Flights (Dulles-Paris and Geneva-Dulles)
• 8-nights accommodations in centrally-located superior hotels
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Dinner every night with wine/beer included
• Local transportation via deluxe motorcoach
• A full-time local tour manager 
• Entrance fees and guided visits per the itinerary

Complete Program Prices:

Includes group airfare and airport transfers
$5550-$5850 per person based on double occupancy, depending on size of group*

$1200 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:

Excludes all airfare and airport transfers
$5000-$5300 per person based on double occupancy, depending on size of group*

$1200 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Should additional single rooms be requested, hotels may impose a higher supplement for all single rooms of $1400. If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect March 15, 2024 —and on 2024 land and air tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.  

*Higher price is based on a minimum of 21 travelers.  Lower price is based on a minimum of 27 travelers.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Fr. Gregory Kandt at St. Therese of Gloucester
804-693-5939
Fr.Gregory@stthersglo.org 

 Step 1: Complete the Event Registration Form before May 1, 2024. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Step 2: Submit your $1500 deposit check per person to illume not later than May 1, 2024:

illume
236 Lewis Wharf
Boston, MA 02110

Checks should be made payable to illume. Please include the program number 24.10662 on the memo line. 

You will receive a Welcome E-mail from illume soon after April 12, 2024 once your payment has been deposited. You will also receive a link to add optional Travel Insurance/Protection to your program at that time.

Nonrefundable second deposit of $1500 per person due not later than: June 1, 2024

Balance of payment due not later than: August 14, 2024

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Program No. 24.10662