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Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight from Boston to Milan. Meals and refreshments are served on the plane.
Upon arrival in Milan, we’ll transfer to Porto Maurizio, the birthplace of St. Leonard. Hotel Check-in, and afternoon at leisure before we gather for mass and our welcome dinner.
Overnight in Porto Maurizio
After breakfast we start the day by visiting St. Leonard’s native home, now an oratory for private worship. Well then walk the streets of Porto Maurizio where St. Leonard would preach. St. Leonard would preach in the streets to many thousands, the churches were too small to contain the multitudes who would flock to hear his sermons. After lunch, well visit the Cathedral of Imperia Porto Maurizio where we will celebrate Mass and pray over the body of St. Leonard.
Overnight in Porto Maurizio
After breakfast well depart for Assisi, in route we stop in Tuscany for lunch, a beautiful place to admire the countryside, relax and enjoy some local wine tasting. Next, we’ll visit the Convento Dell’Incontro, a Franciscan Monastery atop the hills just outside of Florence. Convento Dell’Incontro was founded by St. Leonard in 1710 and where he would retire to from time to time after his missions. Here we will celebrate Mass and pray for the intersession of St. Leonard. Finally, well arrive in Assisi for Dinner.
Overnight in Assisi
Following breakfast, we will proceed to the basilica of St. Francis where we will celebrate Mass, pray over his tomb. Next, we will visit Chiesa Nuova, built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of St. Francis. Then onto the Church of St. Clare to see the Saint’s body and pray for her intercession. St. Clare was the foundress of the Order of Poor Clare’s. We’ll visit St. Mary Major, the Shrine of the Renunciation, where Blessed Carlo’s body is interred. Finally, we visit San Damiano the site of St. Francis’s conversion, where he obeyed the orders given to him by the Crucifix, which told him “Go forth Francis, and re-build my crumbling house”.
Overnight in Assisi
After breakfast we visit St. Mary of the Angels where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we’ll visit the Chapel Portiuncola and celebrate Mass near the rose bush and cave where St. Francis retired for prayer. Next, we’ll depart Assisi and begin our journey to Rome, in route we will make a stop in Rivotorto where St. Francis of Assisi started his life of austerity. We then continue onto the medieval town of Greccio. Greccio itself, set on a beautiful mountaintop, is famous for its cool summer climate and its mineral springs. However, it is even more renowned for its connections with St. Francis of Assisi and as the birthplace of the Christmas crèche. On Christmas Night 1223, St. Francis led shepherds to the top of a nearby hill where they gathered together in a stable sheltering an ox and a donkey. According to legend, the Baby Jesus miraculously appeared in the manger. On this spot the Franciscan convent of Greccio was built, and the Chapel of The Crib was erected in 1228, the year St. Francis was canonized. Finally, we board our bus and continue to Rome for dinner.
Overnight in Rome
After breakfast, we will visit the church of San Bonaventura al Palatino, here we will have to opportunity to pray before the relics of St. Leonard and celebrate Mass. San Bonaventura al Palatino is where St. Leonard studied and later taught as a professor. Next, before our entrance at Colosseum, we will visit the Church of St. Peter in Chains and then we will embark on a historic tour of Ancient Rome starting with a visit to the Colosseum, a grand amphitheater of the ancient world, St. Leonard set up the Stations of the Cross in over 500 different places, including the Colosseum. Passing by the Roman Forum, we will witness the ruins of ancient government buildings. After the Roman Forum we’ll visit Collegio Romano, a school established by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1551, just 11 years after he founded the Society of Jesus, where St. Leonard studied with the Jesuits before receiving his habit.
Overnight in Rome
Today, we will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, as well as the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. It is here (the Basilica of St. John Lateran) that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. We will celebrate mass at one of the basilicas. At the end of the visit, transfer back to your hotel in Rome and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Rome
Following breakfast, we have an early departure for St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Papal Audience (subject to the Pope’s schedule). After lunch, we have a guided tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica where we will celebrate mass in one of the Chapels.
Overnight in Rome
With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport and board our return flight home.
