On arrival in Birmingham check into the Drury Inn, for a four night stay.  This evening take advantage of Drury’s “5:30 Kickback” and enjoy free food and drink.  A rotating menu is served every evening from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. “Kickback” also serves a variety of free cold beverages. (HH)

This full day at EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).  EWTN plays an important role in Catholic education.  Whether you’re seeking to strengthen your faith or striving to increase your devotion, you’ll find a wealth of credible resources, from historical Faith documents to guidance on current Catholic issues during your visit.  (Scheduled times and order of events for the day are subject to change.)

Today’s activities will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession, Daily Mass, Lunch, Studio Tour, a catered dinner and EWTN Live Show.

Adoration involves exposing a consecrated host, the Blessed Sacrament, allowing people to sit and pray in the presence of Jesus Christ.  Adoration specifically refers to any prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament whether in front of a closed Tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance.

Confessions will be done in St. Michael’s Hall next to the Chapel.  Also, you will enjoy Daily Mass at the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel.  Lunch will be included at the Guadalupe Hall on the EWTN’s campus followed by time to explore the gift shop.

The afternoon features a guided tour of the studio where you will meet some of your favorite EWTN hosts, hear from EWTN leaders about the network and its vision for the future.  There will also be time for Adoration.

This evening, enjoy a catered dinner on the grounds before joining an exclusive audience and witnessing the broadcast of the EWTN Live Show with Fr. Mitch Pacwa. (B,L,D)

This peaceful day of retreat begins at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL.  The Shrine was built by Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare Nun, in response to the Child Jesus’ request that she build Him a “Temple.” Here, the Poor Clare Nuns keep a constant prayer vigil before the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  They invite people from all walks of life and faith to see what the Lord has accomplished here and join them in prayer.

The Shrine consists of: Cloistered monastery, beautiful Upper and Lower Churches, replica of the Shroud of Turin, Stations of the Cross, religious statues and paintings, near life-sized Nativity scene and Castle which houses the Gift Shop.  You will spend the morning entire morning here.  There is time to celebrate Mass, give confession and tour the Shrine.

This afternoon, visit the Ave Maria Grotto, where you enjoy at The Retreat Center on arrival.  Then have time for Mass before touring the sculpture gardens.

Following lunch, your afternoon is spent touring The Ave Maria Grotto, home to the fruitful labor of Brother Joseph Zoettl, OSB.  Br. Joseph was a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey.  Originally from Landschutt, Bavaria-Germany, a young Br. Joseph found himself headed to America to pursue monastic life at Alabama’s only Benedictine Abbey.  Little did anyone know that this young Bavarian would end up leaving the abbey its greatest legacy and in an incredibly humble way.  Since 1934, people from around the world visit the Ave Maria Grotto to see famous parts of the world in miniature.  The former abbey quarry is now the 4 acre park that the Grotto and surrounding miniatures rest upon.

From Monteserrat to St. Peter’s Basilica, guests can enjoy this labor of love and hopefully go away realizing how small acts of love, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can be fruitful for years to come.  Return to the Drury Birmingham, dinner is on own. (B)

This morning begins at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the focal point of the Civil Rights District.  Here richly detailed exhibits reveal slices of black and white life from the late 1800’s to the present . A series of galleries tells the stories of daily life for African-Americans in Alabama and the nation, and how it differed dramatically from the lives that white people took for granted.

Just across the street from the Civil Rights Institute is the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.  A National Historic Landmark, the church was the site of a dynamite bombing in 1963 that killed four young African-American Girls: Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae. (Tour based on availability.)

Visit adjacent Kelly Ingram Park where a life-size sculpture faces the church and captures the spirited nature of the young girls killed in the bombing.  This historic park served as a congregating area for demonstrations in the early 1960’s, including the ones in which police dogs and fire hoses were turned on marchers by Birmingham police.  The park has a free cell phone tour that guides visitors through the tumultuous events of 1963.

Grab lunch on your own on the same block at Green Acres Café, serving up some of the best catfish and fried green tomatoes in town.

This afternoon visit Vulcan Park.  Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham.  But Vulcan is more than just a statue—Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive comprehensive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story.  Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)