JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Monday, April 21: USA – Rome

Depart today towards Rome. During the international flight, dinner and breakfast will be served.

Day 2: Tuesday, April 22: Rome

Welcome to Rome! Enjoy a panoramic driving tour of the city and then continue to your hotel for a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. (WD)

Day 3: Wednesday, April 23: Rome

Take your places early in St. Peter’s Square to attend the weekly Papal Audience. Then, visit the Coliseum, Rome’s historical symbol and greatest amphitheater which staged deadly combats for many years. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of downtown Rome including visits to the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument from ancient Rome thanks to its transformation into a church in 609. Visit the magnificent church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, one of the few Gothic structures in Italy, which houses the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena, patron saint of Italy. Continue to St. Ignatius Church to venerate the relics of St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. John Berchmans. Continue to the Trevi Fountain, Rome’s largest and most famous fountain; and the Spanish Steps, in the heart of the Piazza di Spagna. Dinner and overnight in Rome.  (BB, D)

Day 4: Thursday, April 24: Rome

Early this morning, attend Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterwards, at the Vatican Museums, see the famous collection of art and sculptures from centuries of Church history, including the Sistine Chapel. Exit the museum and walk through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica to gain the indulgence of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. After your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the largest church in Rome after St. Peter’s Basilica. For those who wish to continue the sightseeing, visit St. Mary Major, known also as Our Lady of the Snows, which holds the holy crib in which Our Lord was born in Bethlehem. Then, visit St. John Lateran, the Pope’s basilica, from which he makes solemn declarations ex cathedra. Nearby, visit the Scala Santa, the sacred stairs upon which Our Lord walked after His scourging. In some places, stains of the Precious Blood could still be seen. If time allows visit Santa Croce de Jerusalem which contains fragments of the Cross, a nail, two thorns from Christ’s crown, a piece of the sponge that was offered to Him, a fragment of the scroll that hung on the Cross, and one of the 30 coins of Judas. Earth from Calvary lies beneath the floor. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (Boxed Breakfast, D)

Day 5: Friday, April 25: Rome – Montecassino – Pietrelcina – San Giovanni Rotondo

Leave Rome early towards Montecassino.  This prestigious abbey is the mother church of the Benedictine order and a center of medieval art. St. Benedict founded it in 529 when he wrote his famous Rule. Destroyed in WWII, it has since been rebuilt. Pray at the tomb that contains the relics of St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica. Continue to Pietrelcina, the birthplace of St. Padre Pio. In the evening, arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo, made famous by its holy resident, St. Padre Pio. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. (BB, D)

Day 6: Saturday, April 26: San Giovanni: Excursion to Monte Sant’Angelo

This morning pray before St. Padre Pio, whose incorrupt body is exposed for veneration. At the old church, pray before the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. See the confessional where St. Padre Pio spent hours with multitudes of pilgrims.  Afterwards, travel to Monte Sant’Angelo to visit the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. A most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, it was consecrated by St. Michael himself. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you. Return to San Giovanni for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 7: Sunday, April 27: San Giovanni Rotondo – Lanciano – Loreto – Assisi

Depart this morning towards Lanciano, a small, medieval town, nestled in from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. In the 8th century AD, in the little church of St. Legontian, a Basilian monk was having doubts about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. During Mass, after the two-fold consecration, the Host was changed into live flesh, and the wine was changed into live blood. Continue to Loreto to venerate the beautiful house of Our Lady. A choir of angels miraculously transported the sacred adobe structure to Loreto in the 13th century. The Holy House was relocated twice. Turkish destruction threatened to destroy the humble Nazarene house, thus necessitating its removal by angels to Dalmatia in 1291. On December 10, 1294, angels once again transported it, this time to Loreto. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 8: Monday, April 28: Assisi   

Guided sightseeing in Assisi includes St. Mary of the Angels Basilica that houses the Porziuncola Chapel, where St. Francis spent most of his life; the rose bush in which the saint rolled in order to overcome his temptation to abandon his way of life; and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Then, visit the Basilica of St. Clare to venerate the saint’s relics. She was the foundress of the Order of Poor Clares and followed the teachings of St. Francis by living in poverty and humility. Continue to the imposing 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, where the great saint is buried. It also houses many of the saint’s possessions and a series of frescos depicting his life. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore this beautiful medieval town, with its geranium-hung streets, lovely views, and fountain-splashed piazzas. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (BB, D)

Day 9: Tuesday, April 29: Assisi – Padua

This morning, head north to Padua. There, visit the Abbey of St. Justina, a 4th-century martyr; where, in addition to her remains are the ones of the Evangelist St. Luke and the Apostle St. Matthias. Then, render homage to St. Anthony of Padua, the “Wonder Worker,” in his Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Padua. (BB, D)

Day 10: Wednesday, April 30: Padua – Excursion to Venice

Depart early for an excursion to Venice to visit the Basilica of St. Mark. Enjoy free time to perhaps experience a gondola ride or visit other sites in the Floating City. Upon your return to the main Venice station, walk to St. Geremia Church to render homage to St. Lucy, patron of the eyes. Continue to St. Rocco Church to pray at the tomb of St. Roch who is venerated for his intercession during the plagues. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight.  (BB, D)

Day 11: Thursday, May 1: Padua – Milan

Today, travel to Milan to visit Milan’s Duomo, the giant Gothic cathedral, to pray before St. Charles Borromeo’s relics. He was the cardinal archbishop of Milan for twenty years and was one of the great reformers responsible for counter-attacking the Protestant Revolution. Afterwards visit the Church of St. Ambrose and pray before the relics of this great bishop of Milan. Enjoy some free time before an evening farewell dinner. (BB, FD)

Day 12: Friday, May 2: Milan – USA

Transfer to Milan’s airport after breakfast for you return flight to the USA.

Buffet Breakfast (BB); Dinner (D); Welcome Dinner (WD); Farewell Dinner (FD)

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.