ITINERARY

Day 1:  Monday, May 26: Transatlantic Flight USA – Rome

Depart today on a flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2: Tuesday, May 27: Rome

Welcome to the Eternal City! After arriving at the airport, board your private motor-coach and travel to visit the ornate Chiesa del Gesu followed by 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. After lunch on your own, continue to St. Ignatius Church and venerate the relics of St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. John Berchmans. Afterwards, visit St. Paul Outside the Walls to see the Apostle’s tomb and his prison chains. Continue to your hotel for a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (D)

Day 3: Wednesday, May 28: Rome

Take your places early in St. Peter’s Square to attend the weekly Papal Audience. After lunch on your own, visit the Vatican Museums and 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 plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year. Hear Mass at St. Peter’s, then enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants around Rome. (BB)

Day 4: Thursday, May 29: Rome

Today, 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 can still be seen. Next, 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. Have Mass at the Basilica. After lunch on your own, visit the Coliseum, Rome’s historical symbol and greatest amphitheater which staged deadly combat for many years. Next, visit the Palatine and the ruins of the Roman Forum. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of downtown Rome including photo stops at the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Rome’s largest and most famous fountain; and the Spanish Steps, in the heart of the Piazza di Spagna. Overnight in Rome. (BB)

Day 5: Friday, May 30: 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. Celebrate Mass, and pray at the tomb that contains the remains of St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica. After lunch with the group, 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, L, D)

Day 6: Saturday, May 31: San Giovanni: – Lanciano – Cascia

This morning, pray before St. Padre Pio, whose incorrupt body is exposed for veneration. Celebrate Mass at the old church and 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. Visit St. Mary of Grace church and after lunch together, depart towards Cascia stopping in 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 living blood. Arrive in Cascia for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 7: Sunday, June 1: Cascia

Today, visit Cascia to venerate St. Rita at her shrine and to visit the church of the Eucharistic Miracle. Then, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in St. Rita’s Cascia. Overnight in Cascia. (BB)

Day 8: Monday, June 2: Cascia - Assisi  

This morning, head to Assisi. Your guided sightseeing in Assisi includes Mass at 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. After lunch on your own in Assisi, 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, June 3: Assisi – Rome – Toulouse

This morning, transfer by bus to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Then fly from Rome to Toulouse. Transfer to your hotel in Toulouse for overnight. (BB)

Day 10: Wednesday, June 4: Toulouse - Lourdes

Today, travel to Lourdes for some leisure time upon arrival. You may go to the healing baths or pray at the Grotto. After lunch on your own, visit the places related to Our Lady’s Apparitions and St. Bernadette. Tonight, attend the procession of the sick, rosary, and candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (BB, D)

Day 11: Thursday, June 5: Lourdes – Toulouse - USA

Take an early morning transfer to Toulouse airport for your return flight to the USA.

Buffet Breakfast (BB), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

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