Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours

06/05/2024

Fatima & Lourdes!
October 16-26, 2024

Great news! Seats are still available for our Fatima & Lourdes pilgrimage, but are filling up fast.

Join us for this extraordinary pilgrimage; a journey that promises to be truly transformative and spiritually enriching!
Signup at: https://tinyurl.com/35xp22u9

05/04/2024

July 1-9, 2024 Fatima, Portugal pilgrimage

Great News! We still have seats available! We have extended our registration and deposit date for the July 2024 Fatima pilgrimage with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius and Fr. Matthew Schuster, SJC.

Send us your forms, post marked by April 10th to be included on this incredible pilgrimage. https://tinyurl.com/4m57mdv2

20/02/2024

February 20th - For the feast of Sts. Jacinta & Francisco, we pray:

O God of goodness and font of holiness, who gave Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto as lights to illuminate the world, exalt the humble who in your light see the light, so that all may contemplate the ways that lead to your heart. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Photo courtesy of Fr. Jeffrey Couture - (The Capelinha in Fatima, Portugal in honor of Sts. Jacinta and Francisco.)

09/02/2024

Travel Tip - Weather

Take the guess work out of packing the appropriate clothing for a pilgrimage. Here is a useful link to check the weather to your travel destination.

https://www.weather-forecast.com/

25/01/2024

October 16-26, 2024
Fátima, Ávila, Zaragoza and Lourdes

Great news! The long awaited Fatima & Lourdes pilgrimage has just been scheduled!

Join Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours and Fr. Jeffrey Couture for a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage to Fátima, Ávila, Zaragoza and Lourdes. Departs from Newark Liberty International Airport.

To register see our flyer/ registration form: http://tinyurl.com/35xp22u9

Hurry! This pilgrimage fills up quickly.

22/01/2024

The following Masses with Fr. Jeff are in Public at the Capelinha; the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima. You can view them live at https://www.fatima.pt/en/pages/online-transmissions

January
22nd 3:30pm = 10:30am E/T
29th 3:30pm =. 10:30am E/T

February
5th 3:30pm =. 10:30am E/T
12th 7:00am. =. 2:00am E/T
14th (ASH WEDNESDAY) 7:00am = 2:00am E/T
19th 3:30pm. =. 10:30am E/T
26th 3:30pm. =. 10:30am E/T

March
4th. 3:30pm. =10:30am E/T
11th 3:30pm. =10:30am E/T
18th. 3:30pm. = 10:30am E/T
25th. 3:30pm. =10:30am E/T

15/01/2024

A wonderful opportunity has just been bestowed upon us by Fr. Jeff, a dear friend of Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours, the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA and the Blue Army Shrine.

Fr. Jeff is in Fatima until March 25th. Father will offer Holy Mass in the Capelinha (Little Chapel of the Apparitions) once a week and is inviting you to submit your intentions and petitions - where they will be prayed for at the altar and at the feet of Our Lady.

Please submit your prayers where they will be sent to Fr. Jeff daily.
https://avemariatours.org/prayer-petitions-fatima

11/01/2024

Fatima Pilgrimage
July 1-9, 2024

We are very excited to announce the upcoming spiritual journey to Fatima with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius and Fr. Matthew Schuster, SJC, on July 1-9, 2024. Leaving from O’Hara International Airport in Chicago, IL.

Register at: https://avemariatours.org/

10/01/2024

Travel Tip - Health Insurance

Many overseas medical facilities and providers, require cash payment up front and do not accept U.S. insurance plans. Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. Check your U.S. health care plan to see if it will cover you overseas. If not, consider buying supplemental insurance, and make certain the insurance you are buying covers any special medical needs or risks you might anticipate on your tour.

03/01/2024

Travel Tip – Passport Information

Make sure you check your passport. Though it can differ by country, the general rule is passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States.

If you have to renew, or obtain a passport for the first time, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. It can take up to 6-10 weeks, depending on processing time.

Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.

For more information:

How to apply for or renew your U.S. passport if you live in United States

31/12/2023

UPDATE - Will be live streamed on the shrine page:
https://www.facebook.com/bluearmyshrine

David and Dorothy Carollo of Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours, invites everyone to join them in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, at the Blue Army Shrine tonight at 11:00 p.m. for a Holy Hour of Adoration, followed by Midnight Mass, in honor of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated by Fr. Sylvester, OSB. All are welcome. The Shrine is located at 674 Mountain View Rd. E, Asbury, NJ 07882.David

29/12/2023

We would like to share with you the Festival of Lights at the Blue Army Shrine, where Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours is headquartered. A big thank you goes out to Fr. Luke and Br. Pius, which many of you know from previous pilgrimages, and the group of volunteers who worked with them to put together this beautiful drive through presentation. The shrine is located in Warren County, NJ at 674 Mountain View Rd E, Asbury, NJ 08802. The Festival of Lights is free and open from 5:00pm – 9:00pm until January 7th.

Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours works together with the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, the Blue Army Shrine and the Fatima Gift Shop, all of which are non-profit organizations, whose hard work and proceeds go to further the mission of Our Lady of Fatima.

Photos courtesy of Dorothy Carollo.

22/12/2023

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

29/11/2023

Pilgrims Reviews
Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023

Hello Dorothy,
I wanted to thank you, David, Fr. Luke, Fr. Jeff, Fr. Elias, and others who made the pilgrimage possible. I greatly appreciate the care you all took to make the pilgrimage meaningful for our group. It was my first pilgrimage, and I had a special, blessed experience. I (and I know my fellow pilgrims) took the peace of Fatima home with us.
Blessings,
Anonymous

Dear Dorothy,
Thank you for curating one of the greatest experiences in my life. This was my first time in Portugal and from the daily Mass at different churches and chapels, to the meals which we enjoyed at the Domus Pacis Fatima Hotel, you helped make every aspect of the pilgrimage special and holy. Thanks to you and Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours for everything. I already miss everyone.
Thankfully,
Don

20/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023

Some additional places our pilgrims experienced is Mass at the Capelinha (Chapel of the Apparitions); the site of the second apparition of the Angel in 1916; home of the seers; Holy Mass at the Carmel Monastery of St. Teresa in Coimbra, where Fr. Luke enrolled some of our pilgrims in the Brown Scapular.

18/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023

Join us today at 4:30pm EST, as some of our pilgrims lead a decade at the International Rosary held in the Capelinha.

Shrine of Fatima | Online Transmissions

18/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023
(Courtesy of Elizabeth Turello)

Our pilgrims attended Mass at St. Anthony's in Fatima where the seers were baptized, and little Francisco would keep the 'hidden Jesus' in the tabernacle company.

They then visited the church's cemetery where the remains of Sts. Francisco & Jacinta were before being relocated to the Basilica. After praying for the souls of all those buried in the cemetery, the pilgrims made their way to see the houses of the seers.

Not far from the house of Venerable Sr. Lucia is the sight of the 2nd apparition of the Angel of Peace. Then, to end the day, tour guide Ines led the pilgrims to the Santuário de Fatima where they were able to see the remains of the seers as well as the outside Capelina (little chapel), built directly over Cova da Iria where the Marian apparitions occurred in 1917.

16/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023
(Courtesy of Elizabeth Turello)

Our pilgrims first visited the Church of St. Anthony in Lisbon and toured the city on foot before heading over to the old town of Santarem. While there, Shrine Chaplain Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR celebrated Mass at Igreja do Santissimo Milagre where the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem took place. Concealed in a special monstrance, the pilgrims had the glorious opportunity to venerate the Eucharistic Miracle up close after Mass, seeing and revering the 750+ year old liquefied Blood of Christ!

15/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023
(Courtesy of Dorothy Carollo)

Our first day. We have arrived safely in Portugal. Our first group Mass was in Santarem, which houses the Eucharistic Miracle.

14/11/2023

Annual Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023

Share in our pilgrims trip to Fatima, Portugal as we keep you updated on their spiritual journey.

Our group checking in at Newark airport and getting ready for their flight to Portugal.

13/11/2023

The annual Fatima pilgrimage leaves later this afternoon. We are wishing everyone happy and safe travels! Have a wonderful time!

26/10/2023

November 13 - 20, 2023 Fatima Pilgrimage
Send us your Prayer Petitions

Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours, invites you to join us spiritually in Fatima on November 13 - 20, 2023, by sending us your prayer petitions where they will be deposited directly at our Lady’s feet, at the Capelinha (site of the 1917 Apparitions).

Join us spiritually in Fatima on November 13 – 20, 2023, by sending us your prayer petitions where they will be deposited directly at our Lady’s feet, at the Capelinha (the site of the 1917 Apparitions). First Name Last Name Email My prayer petitions: I would like to receive your newsletter to k...

27/09/2023

During the Holy Land pilgrimage, the group had the privilege of an audience with the His Beatitude the Cardinal Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, during which our tour directors, Sir David Carollo, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and Dame Dorothy Carollo were honored with receiving the pilgrim shell; an important symbol reserved for members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

MISSI0N OF THE ORDER:

The special mandate given by the Holy Father to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is to strengthen the Christian life of its members and to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

The Order, in addition to its concern for the Holy Places sustains and aids the religious, charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Church in the Holy Land; particularly those of and in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem with which the Order maintains historic and traditional ties. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is the Latin Catholic diocese whose territory includes Israel/Palestine Jordan, and Cyprus. The bishop of this diocese enjoys the title of Patriarch.

To read more about the order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem:

https://avemariatours.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Equestrian-Order-of-the-Holy-Sepulchre.pdf

13/09/2023

Here is our group from the recent Holy Land pilgrimage, singing Ave Maria at St. Ann's Shrine in Jerusalem, the place of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

09/08/2023

2023 Annual November Fatima Pilgrimage
November 13-20, 2023

HURRY! Seats are filling up fast – deposit deadline is August 13, 2023. Don’t hesitate, first come basis.

Join us and Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR, and experience Portugal like never before! Walk in the footsteps of the Fatima seers and more.

BOOK NOW at Ave Maria Pilgrimage Tours
https://avemariatours.org/

28/07/2023

Annual Fatima, Portugal Pilgrimage
Deposit due August 13, 2023
Hurry! Seats are filling up fast.

Join us and Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR for another amazing pilgrimage! Register at https://avemariatours.org/

27/07/2023

2023 Holy Land Pilgrimage
Saint Peter in Gallicantu

We visited the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu ("St. Peter at the Cock's Crow" in Latin) and celebrated our daily Mass there. It was a powerful visit, especially as we had already celebrated mass at the site of St. Peter's Repentance in Tabgha. We then descended into the pit where the High Priest Caiphas had Jesus imprisoned and saw the courtyard where He was taken out and questioned. Being in these places reinforced our understanding of the great mercy of Christ, who in the time of such great suffering did not resent to forgive Peter. Peter's example of sin and immediate repentance shows us how we must always return to Our Lord when we deny Him by our sins.

-Courtesy of Dorothy Carollo and Matthew Scarince

27/07/2023

2023 Holy Land Pilgrimage
Stations of the Cross

The Way of the Cross is an ancient devotion, spiritually following in the footsteps of Christ's passion and resurrection. On this pilgrimage, we were incredibly blessed to join our spiritual journey with a physical journey through the Old City of Jerusalem, following the path that traditions relate Jesus Himself was forced to walk. What was intended as a walk of shame is now a source of great consolation to us as Christians, when we see our God fall and rise again three times upon His way of sorrow (Via Dolorosa). Let us not be ashamed as our journey of Faith brings us closer to Jesus' gift of everlasting salvation.

- Courtesy of Dorothy Carollo and Matthew Scarince

27/07/2023

2023 Holy Land Pilgrimage
The Basilica of St. Anne in Jerusalem

The Basilica of St. Anne in Jerusalem and the birthplace of Our Lady. The church is run by the French "White Fathers", hence the French flag.

-Courtesy of Dorothy Carollo

27/07/2023

2023 Holy Land Pilgrimage
Bethlehem, Church of the Nativity, Israel Museum

In Bethlehem, the City of David, we celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace in the Shepherd's field where the angels first sang "Glory in the Highest," while Fr. Ignatius preached to us that the Peace of Christ starts first in our own hearts. We prayed for peace in the Holy Land, and proceeded to the Church of the Nativity, where we entered the humble cave of Jesus' birth. The reality and the mystery of the Incarnation came together in that place, brightening our lives like the light from the Star of Bethlehem. Afterward, we made a brief stop at the Israel Museum, where we saw the remains of the Dead Sea scrolls and learned their story. At the museum, a scale model of the city of Jerusalem gave us a historical map for our next stop on the pilgrimage.

- Courtesy of Dorothy Carollo and Matthew Scarince