A Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to Italy

September 17, 2019 – Tuesday
ATLANTA / ITALY
Today we depart Atlanta on our direct, overnight flight to Italy. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

September 18, 2019 – Wednesday
ROME / ASSISI
This morning we arrive in Rome and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We depart the airport and drive north through the Umbrian Hills to the medieval town of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis, the “gentlest of all saints”. Upon our arrival we enjoy and introduction to Assisi including a visit to the Upper and Lower Basilicas of Saint Francis. Following Mass here, we arrive at our hotel for some time to relax prior to this evening’s dinner. Overnight in Assisi.

September 19, 2019 – Thursday
ASSISI
This morning we awake in Assisi, where we will enjoy a full day visiting the important sites in the life of the “gentlest of all saints”. We begin our day with a visit and celebration of Mass in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built to enclose the tiny Church of the Porziuncola, Saint Francis’ first retreat and place of prayer, where he consecrated Clare as the Bride of Christ. In the afternoon we visit the Basilica of Saint Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare nuns, and see the crucifix that spoke to Saint Francis in San Damiano. The remainder of our day is free for shopping and personal exploration. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

September 20, 2019 – Friday
ASSISI / LORETO / LANCIANO
This morning we depart Assisi for Loreto, one of Italy’s leading pilgrimage sites, where local tradition says angels moved the house that had been the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth. Here we visit the Sanctuary of the Holy House and its grounds. In the afternoon we depart for Lanciano, where an 8th century monk was questioning the Real Presence. During his celebration of Mass, the host turned into flesh and the wine into blood. We celebrate Mass in the Church of San Francesco, the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. Dinner and overnight in Lanciano.

September 21, 2019 – Saturday
LANCIANO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
This morning we drive along the Adriatic coast of Italy, next arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo, the home to Padre Pio, who was made a saint in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. We celebrate Mass at the Church of Santa Maria dell Grazie, where Saint Pio celebrated Mass for many years. Following Mass, we learn of the extraordinary life and reputation for sanctity of the Franciscan Padre Pio da Pietralcina, who lived, labored and died here in 1968. We visit the Saint Pio Church and the beautiful mosaic crypt that houses a glass reliquary containing St. Pio’s body. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

September 22, 2019 – Sunday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Our day begins with a drive to nearby Monte Sant’Angelo, one of the most ancient of Christian shrines, dedicated to the Archangel Michael who appeared here in the 5th and 8th centuries. We celebrate Mass inside the Cave of Saint Michael. In the afternoon, we return to San Giovanni Rotondo for free time prior to this evening’s dinner. Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

September 23, 2019 – Monday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE CASSINO / ROME
This morning we drive to Monte Cassino to visit the Benedictine Abbey set high atop a mountain. The abbey was founded by Saint Benedict of Norcia in the 6th century. Saint Benedict established his first monastic community here. The abbey has been destroyed four times, most recently in World War II, but still serves as home to the Benedictines. Following Mass at the Abbey, we continue on to Rome, where upon our arrival, we check into our hotel. Following dinner, we enjoy an evening panoramic sightseeing tour of “illuminated Rome by night”, culminating with a walk to the world-famous Trevi Fountain. Overnight in Rome.

September 24, 2019 – Tuesday
ROME
This morning we visit the first of Rome’s four major basilicas, Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle is buried. Next we will visit another of Rome’s major basilicas; Saint John Lateran, the Pope’s cathedral church where relics of both Peter and Paul remain under the main altar. Here we will see its impressive statues of each of the Apostles. Next we cross the street to visit the church of the Scala Santa. Here we see the Holy Staircase of 28 marble steps (now covered in wood) which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem and brought to Rome by Saint Helen in the 4th century. In the afternoon we drive to Piazza di Spagna for free time for lunch and shopping near the Spanish Steps. Later in the afternoon , we enjoy visits to the Church of the Gesu, mother church of the Jesuit Order, which contains the remains of its founder Saint Ignatius of Loyola, followed by a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva housing the tombs of Saint Catherine of Siena and the Renaissance painter Fra’ Angelico. Our day concludes with a visit to the world-famous Pantheon, followed by free time in the vibrant Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

September 25, 2019 – Wednesday
ROME – Papal Audience
This morning we attend the Papal Audience with the Holy Father. Following our time with Pope Francis, we enjoy free time for lunch and shopping near St. Peter’s Square on the Via Ottaviano and Via Cola di Rienzo. Next we will visit another of Rome’s major basilicas, Saint Mary Major, the most important church in the world devoted to Our Lady. We celebrate Mass where Mass has been celebrated every day since the 5th century. While at St. Mary’s we enjoy some free time for prayer and further exploration of this wonderful basilica. This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at Ristorante La Carovana. Overnight in Rome.

September 26, 2019 – Thursday
ROME – the Vatican
Early this morning our day begins with a celebration of Mass at the Altar of Saint John Paul II in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Following Mass, we enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica, where we see a young Michelangelo’s wonderful Pieta. Next we enjoy free time for personal exploration of the basilica where you may choose to visit the Vatican Grottos and the Tombs of the Popes. In the afternoon we will visit one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. At the end of the tour, we visit Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel that has been restored to its original beauty. Our day concludes with a drive to Capitoline Hill, where we will enjoy a view of the ancient Roman Forum and see Constantine’s Arch, the Arch of Titus, the Circus Maximus and ancient Roman Aqueducts. We stop for some free time outside the famous Colosseum and an opportunity for some picture-taking. This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner at Ristorante La Carovana. Overnight in Rome.

September 27, 2019 – Friday
ROME / ATLANTA
Following breakfast, we transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino for our return flight home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.