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The Holy City of Caravaca de La Cruz

caravaca

Introduction

There are five Holy Cities in the world. Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela are known to all Christians, but one of the other two Holy Cities is not as well-known. It is the town of Caravaca de La Cruz in the South of Spain. For eight centuries pilgrims have been travelling there to venerate the Vera Cruz, a piece of wood belonging to the cross on which Christ was crucified which is kept in a reliquary in the shape of a cross with twin arms. 2010 will be a Jubilee year, an event that occurs every seven years. Our pilgrimage will coincide with the festivities held in honour of the Holy Cross. Prayers will be said for World Peace, and the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist will be celebrated. There will also be wonderful festivities in the town to mark this great occasion.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - FRIDAY 30TH APRIL

UK - Murcia - Caravaca de La Cruz

Scheduled flights from London to Murcia, from where we transfer to the ‘Legendary’ city of Caravaca de La Cruz. For the next five nights we will stay at the Carmelite Monastery on a half-board basis (dinner and breakfast each day).

DAY TWO - SATURDAY 1ST MAY

Caravaca de La Cruz

After Mass has been celebrated there will be a tour of the town by a local guide, to include the Sanctuary church of The Vera Cruz, and the museum of the true cross which is in the church prelincts. The tour will also include the church of the Conception, the Baroque Town Hall, and the monument of the Moors and Christians as well as the Plaza de Toros. This evening there will be an opportunity to visit an exhibition of the hand woven robes of the famous ‘wine horses’.

DAY THREE - SUNDAY 2ND MAY

The Fiestas of Caravaca

Mass will be celebrated this morning. Over the next few days festivities are held in honour of the Holy Cross as well as several celebrations, such as the ‘wine horses’ race and competition to be the quickest up the Cuesta del Castillo (this is not for the faint hearted!). This evening the Vera Cruz will be processed from the Sanctuary down to the church of El Salvador after a reenactment of the capture of the sanctuary fortress by the Moorish Army.

DAY FOUR - MONDAY 3RD MAY

The Fiestas of Caravaca

In the morning we attend the Solemn Pontifical Mass where the principal celebrant will be the bishop of the Diocese of Cartagena. After this there will be a childrens’ procession. In the evening we are welcome to join the procession with the Holy Cross to the Chapel of the bath (El Templete), where the waters of the city are blessed, and later back to the Church of El Salvador, where the True Cross will be worshipped. After the procession there will be a magnificent firework display.

DAY FIVE - TUESDAY 4TH MAY

The Fiestas of Caravaca

Todays highlights will include the traditional ‘Rain of rose petals’ offered to the True Cross by the Sisters of the hermitage of St Helena and the Monastery of St Clare. There will be an evening parade of ‘Moorish and Christian’ groups followed by another spectacular firework display.

DAY SIX - WEDNESDAY 5TH MAY

Caravaca - Murcia - UK

After a final Mass, and the conclusion of the festivities, we transfer to Murcia (or Alicante) airport for our return flight to London.

Travel Dates and Cost:

30th April 2010 - 5th May 2010
6 days
£599

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Terms of Payment:

To book places on this tour please send a deposit of £120 (plus the insurance premium if required) per person with a completed booking form to Pax Travel’s office.
This price is guaranteed until 30th September 2009. There may be a flight supplement to pay after this date.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Scheduled return flights: London or Edinburgh - Murcia (other regional airports in the UK are available, possibly at an extra cost), U.K. and Spain airport taxes, 15kg luggage allowance per person on flights, plus 10kg hand luggage allowance, 5-nights accommodation in shared twin-bedded rooms with private facilities at the Monasterio Carmelitano (or similar), Caravaca, Meal plan: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners, All touring and transfers by air-conditioned coach as per the itinerary, Entrance fees as per the itinerary, Daily Mass celebrated by the Spiritual Director, Tiered seating tickets for the Main Procession Event, ATOL and AITO protection.

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance at £28.50 per person, single room supplement at £60 per person for five nights (limited availability), lunches, drinks, souvenirs and UK transfers.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical

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