An 11-day Pilgrimage to Italy

Day 1 – Monday
USA / ITALY
This afternoon we depart Port Columbus International Airport on our connecting flight to Italy. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

Day 2 – Tuesday
ROME / ORVIETO / ASSISI
Upon our arrival in Rome, we depart north through the Umbrian Hills to Orvieto, where we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, with its beautiful marble façade. During our visit we will marvel at the beautiful fresco paintings inside the Chapel of San Brizio. Finally, we drive to the medieval town of Assisi, home of St. Francis, for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – Wednesday
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 St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare nuns, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis in San Damiano. We conclude our day of sightseeing with a visit to the Upper and Lower Basilicas of St. Francis, with its wonderful frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto. The remainder of our day is free for shopping and personal exploration. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 4 – Thursday
ASSISI / LANCIANO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
This morning we depart Assisi for Lanciano where a priest who was doubtful about the Real Presence, during his celebration of Mass, witnessed the host had turned into flesh and the wine into blood. We celebrate Mass in the Church of San Francesco, the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. Following Mass, we continue driving south and enter the Region of Puglia to reach San Giovanni Rotondo, the home to Padre Pio, who was made a saint in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. Here we will learn of the extraordinary life and reputation for sanctity of the Franciscan Padre Pio of Pietralcina, who lived, labored and died here in 1968. The remainder of our day is free to explore the grounds and institutions Padre Pio helped to build. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 5 – Friday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Our day begins with a visit and celebration of Mass inside the Church of Santa Maria dell Grazie, where Saint Pio celebrated Mass for many years. We will also visit the Saint Pio Church and the beautiful mosaic crypt that houses a glass reliquary containing Saint Pio’s body. In the afternoon we 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 return to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Saturday
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.

Day 7 – Sunday
ROME
This morning we will drive by a section of the ancient Appian Way, the traditional pilgrims’ route followed by Peter and Paul, en route to the ancient Catacombs of St. Callixtus, where we have a guided tour followed by our celebration of Mass. Following Mass, we visit the first of Rome’s four major basilicas, Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle is buried. Following free time for lunch, 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. Our day continues with a visit to the Church of the Gesu, mother church of the Jesuit Order, which contains the remains of its founder Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Next we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva housing the tombs of Saint Catherine of Siena and the Renaissance painter Fra’ Angelico, followed by a visit to the world-famous Pantheon. The remainder of our day is free to visit the vibrant Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 8 – Monday
ROME
This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains, which contains a glass reliquary displaying the chains of Saint Peter. The basilica also houses a mosaic of St. Sebastian and Michelangelo’s statue Moses. Following Mass, we enjoy free time near Constantine’s Arch and outside the Colosseum, a good opportunity for some picture taking! Next we visit the Basilica of San Clemente, including a visit to its Crypt. Next we will drive by the Circus Maximus on our way to Piazza di Spagna for free time for lunch and shopping near the Spanish Steps. Late afternoon we will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, where we will see Caravaggio’s Crucifixion of St. Peter. From here we will ascend Capitoline Hill for a panoramic view of the Imperial and Roman Forums. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 9
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. There will also be time for lunch and shopping near St. Peter’s Square on the Via Ottaviano and Via Cola di Rienzo. 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 visit to the Church of Our Lady of Victory, housing Bernini’s glorious statue The Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 10 – Wednesday
ROME – Papal Audience
This morning we attend the Papal Audience with the Holy Father. Following our time with Pope Francis, enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping prior to visiting Castel Sant’Angelo, which offers some of the best views of Rome. Over the centuries, Castel Sant’Angelo has served several purposes including a Papal fortress as well as a prison. Next we 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.

Day 11 – Thursday
ROME / USA
Following breakfast, we transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino for our return flight to the United States. 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.