A Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to Italy

April 24, 2023 – Monday
NEWARK / ITALY
Today we gather at Newark-Liberty International Airport for our overnight flight to Italy. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

April 25, 2023 – Tuesday
ROME / POMPEII / SORRENTO
This morning we arrive in Rome and meet our tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We depart Fiumicino Airport and drive south towards Sorrento, stopping for a visit to the ancient city of Pompeii, famous for its destruction due to the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD. Pompeii was “lost” for nearly 1,700 years before it was rediscovered by archaeologists in the mid-18th century. Here we will explore the archeological site and ruins of the Roman city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius. Following a visit and celebration of Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, we continue on to the town of Sorrento on the Bay of Naples, one of Italy’s loveliest resorts with its captivating views of the coastline and majestic Mount Vesuvius. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

April 26, 2023 – Wednesday
SORRENTO / AMALFI
Our day begins with a walking tour of Sorrento’s historic center, including a visit to Sorrento’s Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Philip & James. We will also visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Antonino, the patron saint of Sorrento, and also visit the Church and Cloister of Saint Francis. In the afternoon, we drive along the beautiful Amalfi Coast with stops for pictures at panoramic look-out points offering incredible views. We arrive in Amalfi on the Gulf of Salerno for a visit to Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, housing relics of the Apostle. We return to Sorrento for dinner and overnight.

April 27, 2023 – Thursday
SORRENTO / CAPRI
This morning we depart for our boat ride to the fabled Isle of Capri and an enjoyable day on the Mediterranean Sea. We tour the island and see some of its spectacular and enchanting sights, including the rock formation Faraglioni situated off of the coast and La Piazzetta with its cafes and shops. We will visit the wonderful look-out point of Giardini di Augusto, as well as visit and celebrate Mass at the Church of Saint Stephen, followed by free time for lunch and shopping. Later in the afternoon we arrive in the village of Anacapri with its panoramic views of the island and sea. Here we visit the Church of San Michele, famous for its marvelous hand painted ceramic floor. Late afternoon we return to the harbor for a panoramic boat tour around Capri prior to returning to mainland Italy. Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

April 28, 2023 – Friday
SORRENTO / PIETRELCINA / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Today we depart Sorrento for San Giovanni Rotondo. En route we will visit Pietrelcina, the birth place of Saint Padre Pio and where he experienced the first apparitions of Jesus, Mary and other saints. Here we will visit his home, the Church of Santa Ana where Padre Pio was baptized and the Convent of Friars Minor Capuchin Pietrelcina. We continue on to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home town of 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 da Pietralcina, who lived, labored and died here 50 years ago in 1968. We will visit and celebrate Mass in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Saint Pio celebrated Mass for many years. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

April 29, 2023 – Saturday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANT’ANGELO
This morning we will drive to Monte Sant’Angelo and visit one of the most ancient of Christian shrines, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, who appeared here in the 5th and 8th centuries. Here we will explore the sanctuary including the Cave of Saint Michael, where we celebrate Mass.  Following free time for lunch, we return to San Giovanni Rotondo where the remainder of our day is free to explore the sanctuary’s grounds. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

April 30, 2023 – Sunday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / LANCIANO / ASSISI
Today we depart San Giovanni Rotondo 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 free time for lunch in Lanciano, we continue on to Assisi, the birthplace of the gentlest of saints, Saint Francis. Late afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Assisi for dinner and overnight.

May 1, 2023 – Monday
ASSISI / ROME
Our day in Assisi begins with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built to enclose the tiny Church of the Porziuncola, Saint Francis’ place of prayer and where he consecrated Clare as the Bride of Christ. We will next visit the Lower Basilica of St. Francis, where we celebrate Mass, followed by a visit to the Basilica of Saint Clare, Francis’ friend and foundress of the Poor Clare nuns, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis in San Damiano. Following free time for lunch in Assisi’s historic center, we visit San Damiano to pray in the place where Francis wrote the “Canticle of the Sun”. Later in the afternoon, we depart for Rome and arrive at our hotel for check-in. Following dinner, we enjoy a panoramic tour of “illuminated Rome by night”, including a walk to see the world famous Trevi Fountain. Overnight in Rome.

May 2, 2023 – Tuesday
ROME
Today we will visit two of Rome’s four major basilicas, beginning at Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the Apostle is buried. Here we enjoy free time for prayer and exploration of the basilica’s beautiful grounds before continuing on to the Basilica of 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. From here 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, and a visit and celebration of Mass at the Church of Saint Agnes. 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.

May 3, 2023 – 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. In the afternoon 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. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

May 4, 2023 – 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. Here 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. In the afternoon we 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.

May 5, 2023 – Friday
ROME / NEWARK
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.