Footsteps of St. Dominic

A Pilgrimage to France & Spain

May 26 - June 5, 2023
Register

About

Join Providence College and Verso Ministries on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Dominic. From Caleruaga, Spain, where St. Dominic was born to Toulouse, France, where he founded his Order of Preachers, this will be a profoundly enjoyable and spiritual journey of faith and veritas for members of the Providence College family. Pilgrims will experience the faith, rich culture, and beautiful lands of St. Dominic. Join Dominican friars of Providence College and other members of the Providence friar family—students, staff, faculty, and alum—on this journey.

The deadline to register and submit payment is January 26, 2023.

Trip Details

Group Type

Providence College, 20-50 pilgrims

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

11 days, 10 nights

Accommodations

Simple

Cost

As low as

$5,177

Deposit:

What's Included

Professional, licensed tour guide(s)
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Simple accommodations
Breakfast daily at hotel, 4 lunches, and 9 dinners
Audio headsets
Roundtrip economy airfare from Boston, MA

Itinerary

May 26
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. from Boston (flights included in package)
May 27
Madrid, Segovia
  • Arrive in Madrid
  • Drive to Segovia and visit Dominic’s cave and sites of Segovia
  • Celebrate Mass in Segovia
  • Check into hotel and dinner
  • Overnight in Segovia
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
May 28
Palencia, Caleruega
  • Drive to Palencia where St. Dominic studied, visit the cathedral, and meet with local Dominican friars
  • Drive to Caleruega where St. Dominic was born
  • Celebrate Mass at local church and have lunch
  • Visit the Monastery and the church where St. Dominic was baptized
  • Drive to Gumiel where St. Dominic studied with his uncle
  • Overnight in Caleruega with Dominicans
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 29
Caleruega, Osma, Domingo de Silos
  • Drive to Osma where St. Dominic served before founding the Order
  • Mass and lunch in Osma
  • Travel to Santo Domingo de Silos Benedictine Monastery where Blessed Jane had her famous vision of St. Dominic as a dog with a torch in his mouth
  • Vespers with the Benedictine monks
  • On the way back to Caleruega, visit La Velca, a gorge with spectacular views
  • Overnight in Caleruega
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 30
San Sebastian, Lourdes
  • Drive to Lourdes
  • Lunch in the beautiful seaside city of San Sebastian
  • Visit the home and church of Saint Bernadette
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
May 31
Lourdes
  • Free day in Lourdes
  • Lunch on your own
  • Candlelight procession
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 1
Prouilhe, Fanjeaux
  • Drive to Prouilhe where St. Dominic founded the first monastery of Dominican nuns
  • Walk to neighboring Fanjeaux
  • Overnight in Prouilhe or Fanjeaux
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 2
Carcassonne, Toulouse
  • Drive to Carcassonne where St. Dominic preached
  • Drive to Toulouse where he founded the Order
  • Celebrate Mass and visit Peter Silo’s house where the Dominican friars first lived together in community
  • Overnight in Toulouse
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 3
Toulouse, Rocamadour
  • Mass as St. Thomat Aquinas’ tomb
  • Drive to Rocamadour, a beautiful mountain town where St. Dominic prayed to Our Lady
  • Overnight in Rocamadour
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 4
Rocamadour, Toulouse
  • See the Black Madonna, place where St. Dominic prayed
  • Free time rest of the day to explore Rocamadour
  • Depart Rocamadour and transfer to Toulouse
  • Closing dinner at local restaurant
  • Overnight in Toulouse
  • Accommodations: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 5
Departure
  • Depart Toulouse for U.S.
  • Meals included: Breakfast
Register

Led by

Group Leader & Chaplain
Fr. Justin Bolger, O.P.
Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry

Fr. Justin Bolger, O.P., is a Dominican friar from the Province of St. Joseph and Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at Providence College. He grew up in Maryland and hails from a large family. After graduating from the University of Baltimore he played music professionally. He earned a masters in philosophy from Mt. St. Mary’s before entering the Dominican Order in 2012. He finished his S.T.L. at the Dominican House of Studies and was ordained to the priesthood in May 2020. Fr. Justin enjoys sports, literature, music, songwriting, and theology. He also writes, sings, and plays in the Dominican folk and bluegrass band “The Hillbilly Thomists.”

Pricing

As low as

$5,177

Package Cost (without savings)

Trip Savings

Land-only savings
$1,207/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$621/person
Travel protection
Travel protection quote available after registration*

The deadline to register and pay is January 26, 2023.

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and includes airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on the total package cost.

Final airline taxes and fees may fluctuate until flights are ticketed. Any excess fees levied by the airlines beyond the original total price at time of booking will be the responsibility of each pilgrim. A minimum of 20 pilgrims must elect to include the group flight in their booking to meet airline group requirements. If 20 people do not elect to add the group flight, then all pilgrims will need to arrange their own flights.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Gratuities for guide(s), driver(s), hotels and meals
  • Transfer to Boston Logan Airport
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Meals while traveling, as well as 6 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel protection (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Group Flight

May 26, 2023: Boston, MA – Madrid, Spain

  1. Iberia Flight #6166 departs Boston Logan International airport (BOS) at 5:20 p.m., arrives Madrid International Airport (MAD) at 6:20 a.m. (May 27).

June 5, 2023: Toulouse, France – Boston, MA

  1. Iberia Flight #8737 departs Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) at 9:15 a.m., arrives Madrid International Airport (MAD) at 10:35 a.m.
  2. Iberia Flight #6165 departs Madrid International Airport (MAD) at 1:00 p.m., arrives Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) at 3:05 p.m.

 

Arranging your own flights?
Designated arrival and departure times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: May 27, 2023
    • Arrival time: By 7:00 a.m.
    • Arrival airport: Madrid International Airport (MAD)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in one group from the Madrid Airport (MAD) to the first site.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: June 5, 2023
    • Departure time: At or after 9:15 a.m.
    • Departure airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on June 5 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Standard Accommodations

  • Segovia: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Caleruega: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Lourdes: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Prouilhe or Farnjeaux: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Toulouse: 3-star hotel or religious house
  • Rocamadour: 3-star hotel or religious house

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Available upon request.
  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the designated airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times and locations are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

There is no optional added extension for this trip.

Payment Schedule and Details

Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – January 26, 2023

All payments will be collected by Providence College’s Campus Ministry.
Please see the payment instructions below:

  • Checks should be made out to “Providence College” with “Footsteps of St. Dominic Pilgrimage” in the memo line.
  • Checks should be delivered to Jennifer DeSilva in the Campus Ministry Center at Providence College or mailed to Campus Ministry Center c/o Jennifer DeSilva, 1 Cunningham Sq. Providence, RI 02918.

Please note: Providence College students please contact Fr. Justin Bolger (jbolger@providence.edu) if you need financial assistance to attend the pilgrimage.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the exchange rate as of December 2022. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180 days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

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This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

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This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.