European Tour 2002

In October 2002, I joined my brother Peter and sister-in-law Yvonne for a tour of Europe, based around the canonisation of (then) Blessed Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei.

Herein is the photographic record of the trip. Note that the day numbers listed here correspond with the numbering used by Harvest Tours documents - this to make cross referencing easier.

Rome

This part of the tour included the canonisation ceremony, as well as a general exploration of Rome and its amazing historical sites.

October 5th
A tour of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica and other Christian sites around Rome.
October 6th
The Canonisation Mass.
October 7th
The thanksgiving Mass, and more of Rome
October 8th
Various Rome sights, including Santa Maria Maggiore
October 9th
Ancient Rome tour, and St. Clement's Basilica, including Mass

Spain

The Spanish section consisted of a circular tour of northern Spain, including one night in Lourdes, France. This covered much of the area where Saint Josemaria lived and worked.

October 10th
Flight to Madrid, then touring the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral.
October 11th
From Madrid to Zaragoza (Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar) and to Barcelona.
October 12th
The feast day of Our Lady of Pilar, and our day to tour Barcelona.
October 13th
Montserrat and Barbastro.
October 14th
El Grado to Lourdes, including Torreciudad.
October 15th
Lourdes then on the road to Pamplona.
October 16th
University of Navarre, in Pamplona.
October 17th
Segovia, including Mass, the aqueduct and Alcazar
October 18th
Avila and St. Teresa.

And finally, there is a page of group photos!

This represents the end of the pilgrimage, but you might want to enjoy our anthem, so it's available here in web format to read in your browser, or the Microsoft Word format version if you want to print it.

Ireland

The vacation section - a time to wind down, for Yvonne to find some of her roots, and just explore a country which every visitor I have met says is just so enjoyable. And I can't disagree! We had a rental car awaiting, and the general plan was to circumnavigate the island.

October 19th
From Dublin to Drogheda
October 20th
Drogheda to Bangor, Northern Ireland
October 21st
Bangor to Sligo, Republic of Ireland.
October 22nd
Sligo to Gallway, incuding Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.
October 23rd
Gallway to Adare, incuding Cliffs of Moher.
October 24th
Adare to Killarney.
October 25th
Killarney to Bandon, including the Ring of Kerry.
October 26th
Bandon to Kilkenny.
October 27th
Kilkenny south to the coast, and also Jerpoint Abbey.
October 28th to 30th
Kilkenny to Dublin.