University of South Florida France – May 2025

Pilgrimage to France

Trip Date:
May 12, 2025
- May 21, 2025
Group Type
Private
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From $2,753
Deposit $500
Hosted by
The Catholic Student Center at USF

Trip Overview

Immerse yourself in the devotions and spirituality at the heart of Catholic France on pilgrimage with the University of South Florida’s Catholic Student Center. From the humble grotto of Lourdes to the stunning architecture of France’s Gothic cathedrals, witness the beauty and diversity of the faith that animated French culture and history and gave rise to some of the Church’s greatest saints. See where Mary appeared to St Bernadette, pray at the tomb of St Therese of Lisieux, and soak in the splendor of Notre-Dame de Paris and Sainte-Chappelle as part of this handcrafted journey of faith.

What’s Included?

  • Local, licensed tour manager throughout the pilgrimage
  • Paris metro passes
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Standard accommodations in double-occupancy rooms
  • Train tickets
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary

Itinerary

May 12, 2025
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
May 13, 2025
  • Arrive Charles De Gaulle Airport and transfer to accommodations (transfers not included)
  • Welcome Mass in local Church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
May 14, 2024
  • Walking pilgrimage of Paris
  • Visit St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and Miraculous Medal Chapel with Mass (pending availability)
  • Afternoon visit to Sacre Coeur
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 15, 2025
  • Celebrate Mass at local church
  • Morning tour of Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame
  • Free afternoon for exploring
  • Overnight in Paris
  • Accommodations: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
May 16, 2025
  • Mass in local church and morning free time
  • Afternoon train to Lisieux
  • Hotel check-in and dinner at hotel
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 17, 2025
  • Morning Mass in local church
  • All day discovering Lisieux with guided tours of Basilica of St. Therese with Mass, Les Buissonets, Carmelite Convent, and time for visiting where St. Therese and her parents – SS. Louis and Zelie Martin – are buried
  • Dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Lisieux
  • Accommodations: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
A basillica that is home to one of the many saints of France.
May 18, 2025
  • Mass in local church
  • Train from Lisieux back to Paris
  • Train from Paris to Lourdes
  • Arrive and transfer to Lourdes hotel
  • Dinner at hotel
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
May 19, 2025
  • Celebrate Mass at Shrine
  • Discover Shrine on walking tour, including the St. Bernadette’s and Miracles museums, and external views of Chapel of Reconciliation, the Basilica, the Grotto, and Baths
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 20, 2025
  • Morning Mass at Shrine
  • Explore city, including Boly Mill (birthplace of St. Bernadette) and the “Cachot” (St. Bernadette’s family home), shops
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Notre-Dame de la Sarte or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lourdes sanctuary evening candle procession, France
May 21, 2025
  • Depart France
  • Transfer to Toulouse Airport (TLS)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

  • Paris: Hôtel Ibis Paris Clichy Batignolles *** or similar
  • Lisieux: Ermitage religious house or similar
  • Lourdes: Notre-Dame de la Sarte *** or similar

Pricing

Package Cost
$2,753

Optional Add-ons

Travel Protection
Quote available upon registration*
Single Room Supplement
$704
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals
TBD

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

Led by

Chaplain
Fr. Kyle Bell
Catholic Student Center at USF
Fr. Kyle Bell was raised in the United Methodist Church, and became a Catholic in 2007.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Religion from Florida State University, a Masters Degree in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.  He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on May 19, 2018.  He has been the Director of the Catholic Student Center at USF since July 1, 2021.

Flights

Pilgrims are responsible for booking their own flights to/from the pilgrimage using the information below regarding airports and designated arrival/departure times.

  • Arrive by: May 13, 2025
  • Arrival time: Arrive by 12:00 p.m.
  • Arrival airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will transfer to the hotel on their own using public transportation or taxi.
  • Depart on: May 21, 2024.
  • Departure time: Depart at or after 11:00 a.m.
  • Departure airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one group at 5:00 a.m.

More Details

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

  • Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
  • 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments. Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of May 2024. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact final 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

*To qualify for free cancellation within 2 weeks of deposit, deposit must be made 180 days or more 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.

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

 

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.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
Read More

What is my Pilgrim Portal?

Your Pilgrim Portal is how you will securely share the information we need for your trip. We collect all this information through your “tasks” in your Pilgrim Portal. After booking, you will receive access to your portal and can log in at the link at the top of this page.
Read More

What risks are involved with pilgrimage?

As with any travel, particularly international, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. We monitor travel conditions for the countries our groups visit, and our on-location partners keep us informed of potentially disruptive events, situations, and conditions that might affect travel. If travel to the country is not recommended by the U.S. and/or local authorities, we handle the particulars on a case-by-case basis and update our pilgrims accordingly. To mitigate risk, we encourage all of our pilgrims to purchase travel protection to minimize losses from unforeseen causes, such as travel delays or cancellations and lost baggage.
Read More

Why should I register now?

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Pilgrimages can fill up quickly, especially if pilgrims decide to bulk register as a group, so registering as soon as you think you will be able to travel with us guarantees you a spot on open pilgrimages. If you register and find out you can no longer attend, as long as you registered more than 180 days prior to the departure and cancel within 14-days of registering, we will fully refund your deposit. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest.
Read More

Resources

This will be a list of blog articles from their site that the user can view for more information on the location or the trip. We’ll probably need a about 3-5 items listed here

A basillica that is home to one of the many saints of France.

Finding the Saints of France

A stack of luggage packed for a pilgrimage to France.

What to Pack for a Pilgrimage to France

A metaphor of one of the benefits of going on a pilgrimage, a highway comes into sharp focus through a camera lens.

5 Benefits of Going on a Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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