“A Healing Pilgrimage with Mary Magdalene”

Those from the U.S. depart.

Arrival into Marseille, France. Be met upon arrival at the airport and escorted to your hotel.

For International Travelers doing Land-Only: Your travel program begins today at the hotel in Ste. Baume with check-in after 2 pm.

Welcome and orientation. Visit the Basilica at St. Maximin-Ste Baume where the skull of the Magdalene is enshrined.

Experience the enchanting old forest of the Saint Baume where the ancient grotto of Mary Magdalene lies embedded in the side of the mountain. Tradition says that Mary Magdalene spent the end of her life here in prayer and meditation. This is a full day trip to experience the forest and walk the steps of the famous path of pilgrimage to her grotto. Take time up at the site to experience the still potent presence of “The Magdalene.”

Time today to enjoy the French countryside, journal or just relax.

Travel to the Languedoc area stopping in Sainte Marie de la Mer on the way. According to Provencal legend, around 40AD a boat left Jerusalem without sail, oars or supplies and came to the site. In the boat were Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacobe, the mother of James and the sister of the Virgin; Mary Salome, the mother of the apostles James Major and John; Lazarus and his two sisters, and Martha; St Maximinus; Cedonius, who was born blind and cured and Sarah, the servant of the two Marys.

They went their separate ways, Mary Magdalene going to Ste-Baume. Martha went to Tarascon. Marie Salome, Marie Jacobe and Sarah remained in the Camargue, and were later buried in the oratory of the church here. The tomb of these three saints became a cult object, and has been the attraction of pilgrimages for the past nineteen centuries. They were reburied beneath the chancel during the Barbarian invasions, and then removed and enshrined in 1448 by Good King René. We stay in the area of Languedoc the next four nights.

Experience Rennes-le-Château, and see for yourself the symbolic printings and symbols referred to in “The Da Vinci Code.” Decide for yourself if the fabulous, hidden treasures and ancient scrolls of the Knights Templar were indeed discovered by Abbott Sauniere. They are said to have been hidden for centuries here, brought from Jerusalem by the Knights Templar.

Visit Montsegur Castle, the last stronghold of the Cathars and reputed to have once hidden the Holy Grail treasures by the Cathars. The Cathars believed that good and evil both have a share in the world. This idea of dualism dates back to Antiquity and places humankind at the crossroads of these two principles.

Siteseeing of Carcassonne, the most intact medieval walled-city in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hear about its Cathar history and some of the early Templar traditions and symbolism in the area. If time permits, more siteseeing including a visit to a huge grotto and the remarkable cave paintings left behind by prehistoric humans.

Visit Rennes-le Château at this auspicious, potent time of the year. On the way visit the potent healing waters of the hot springs of Rennes-les-Bain. The ancient Romans used the hot water of Rennes-le-Bain, rich in sulphate and calcium. Queen Blanche of Castille lent her name to the spa, and today people come from all over the world to partake of the waters. Experience the healing waters for yourself.

Morning departure for Toulouse airport and then flight for the U.S. arriving the same day. (Land-Only participants, your program ends with hotel check-out at 12 noon or join the U.S. group and be dropped off at the Toulouse airport.