This is Not Just a Pilgrimage But a Life-Changing Encounter With Dominican Spirituality
Embark on a spiritual journey of a lifetime with the Dominican & Marian Pilgrimage, traversing the sacred paths of Saint Dominic’s life. From September 30 to October 11, 2025, join fellow pilgrims in an enriching exploration that spans the historic cities of Madrid, Segovia, Palencia, Cleruega, Osma, Santo Domingo De Silo, Bugos, Avila, Lourdes, Notre Dame De Prouille, Fanjeaux, and Toulouse.
Delve into the depths of Dominican Spirituality through four enlightening talks from a lay perspective by the esteemed David L. Gray. Experience the vigor and passion of Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Deacon Chris Major, who will accompany us on this blessed journey. Stay tuned for more details on the bishop and Dominican priest who will grace our pilgrimage.
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your faith and connect with history in the company of like-minded souls. Secure your spot on The Dominican & Marian Pilgrimage today!
COST? We do not have pricing yet, but depending upon the starting location and mode of travel (e.g., Land Only, Air Only, Land and Air), the full price for travel, lodging, and food will be between $3,500 and $5,900).
To Reserve Your Spot and/or For More Information, Contact Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc of Select International Tours – at 9103760058 (WhatsApp) and pilgrimageministry@gmail.com.
12-Day Journey in the Life of Saint Dominic,
Dominican Spirituality, and the Rosary
SEPTEMBER 30: DEPART FROM HOME COUNTRY
Depart on an overnight flight to Madrid. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Add-on flights will be available from most major airports upon request. You may also purchase the land-only option and meet the group at the hotel in Madrid.
OCTOBER 1: ARRIVAL IN MADRID
Welcome to Spain. Your English-speaking tour manager will meet the group at the airport and assist with the bus boarding. We stop for Mass at the Monastery of Santo Domingo El Real, where we see the baptismal font of St. Dominic, in which members of the Spanish Royal family are now baptized. This was the first female monastery St. Dominic founded in Spain. Our day continues with a panoramic tour of Madrid, during which we see some of the city’s famous sites, including the Royal Palace (outside view) and Puerta de Alcala before we check into the hotel. Tonight at 6 PM, we meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome drink and introduction to the group leaders and fellow pilgrims. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Madrid. (D.)
OCTOBER 2: DAY TWO IN MADRID – First talk on Dominican Spirituality (Community)
OCTOBER 3: MADRID- SEGOVIA
We start the day with breakfast, followed by Mass and a visit to the Cathedral de la Almudena, where we see the Crypt and the Shrine of Almudena. We visit the Basilica of San Francis the Great, built on the land offered to St. Francis of Assisi when he spent time in Madrid on his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The church is a national monument due to the extensive collection of paintings by major Spanish artists of the 18th and 19th centuries. Following lunch, we drive to Segovia to visit Dominic’s Cave, now a chapel where we can pray. We also visit the magnificent Cathedral of Segovia and the Church of Saint John of the Cross. Dinner and overnight in Segovia. (B.D.)
OCTOBER 4: SEGOVIA- PALENCIA- CALERUEGA
We depart Segovia, stopping at Palencia to see where St. Dominic studied. We visit the cathedral and meet the Dominican friars. We continue to Caleruega, the birthplace of St. Dominic. We visit the Monastery and the church where the Saint was baptized. We spend the night in Caleruega with the Dominicans in a religious house. (TBC). (B.D.)
OCTOBER 5: OSMA- SANTO DOMINGO DE SILOS
Following breakfast, we drive to Osma to see where St. Dominic served before founding the Dominican order. Following lunch and Mass, we drive for a visit to the Benedictine of Abbey Santo Domingo de Silos, famous for the Gregorian Chant. We visit the library and the 18th-century pharmacy at the monastery. We are blessed to hear the monks perform their cycle of prayer in the form of plainsong, also known as the Gregorian Chant. The Chant was made famous when their CD was released in 1994. Overnight in the area. (B.L D.) – Second talk on Dominican Spirituality (Prayer & Contemplation)
OCTOBER 6: BURGOS – AVILA
Following breakfast and Mass, we visit Burgos to see the magnificent Cathedral. We have time for lunch in the old town of Burgos. From Burgos to visit the Shrine of Theresa of Avila
OCTOBER 7: AVILA to LOURDES
Driving through the Pyrenees Mountains to the Shrine of the Blessed Mother in Lourdes. We settle into the hotel before walking to the Basilica of Our Lady for the evening Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.L.D)
OCTOBER 8: LOURDES
A full day of pilgrimage in Lourdes includes Mass at the Grotto, watching the video presentation about the story of Lourdes, exploring the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the place where she lived. We have time to pray at the Stations of the Cross and drink the water from the miraculous spring. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.) – Third talk on Dominican Spirituality (Study)
OCTOBER 9: LOURDES- NOTRE DAME DE PROUILLE- FANJEAUX-TOULOUSE
We depart Lourdes driving to visit the Monastery of Notre Dame de Prouille, where St. Dominic founded the Order of the Preachers, which became the Dominican Order, and where Our Lady appeared to him to give him the prayer of the Rosary. In the nearby town of Fanjeaux, St. Dominic became pastor of a local parish in 1215. Overnight Toulouse. (B.L. D.)
OCTOBER 10: TOULOUSE
Following breakfast, we visit Toulouse, home to numerous religious and historical treasures. St. Dominic established himself in Toulouse, with six followers, in a house given by Peter Seilan, a merchant of Toulouse who gave his property to Dominic for the first residence of his preaching community. Part of the original house still stands. What was Dominic’s room is now a small chapel. We will also visit the Church of the Jacobins, including the cloister. In this beautiful church, given to the Dominicans in 1230, we find the relics of St Thomas Aquinas. See the many rare artifacts, such as twenty historical pipe organs and the St. Thomas Aquinas burial place at the St. Sernin Basilica. Enjoy the afternoon to explore Toulouse. Tonight we have a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B.L. D.) – Fourth talk on Dominican Spirituality (Preaching)
OCTOBER 11: RETURN TO HOME COUNTRY
This morning, we depart for the airport and our flight home.
To Reserve Your Spot and/or For More Information, Contact Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc of Select International Tours – at 9103760058 (WhatsApp) and pilgrimageministry@gmail.com.
