Our pilgrimage to Italy begins as we board our motor coach from our Parish and transfer to our local airport on an overnight flight(s) to Venice, Italy. Enjoy meals and refreshments served on the plane.

Upon arrival, we will transfer via deluxe motor coach to our hotel in Venice, where we will check into the hotel. After a bit of rest, we will enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Venice.

Today we’ll visit St. Mark’s Square, Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Palace of the Doges will highlight our tour of this mystical city. Free time this afternoon to wander the canals of Venice. Overnight Venice

Morning departure for Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Enroute we will visit Padua, where St. Anthony, the great Franciscan preacher and patron saint of lost articles is venerated. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica built in his honor. Following Mass, we continue on to Florence. On arrival we will enjoy a tour which will include the magnificent Franciscan church of The Holy Cross or Santa Croce with its beautiful facade. Walking tour through Piazza Signoria, pass by Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio. Continue through Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore 13th century cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of St. John. Leisure time after dinner to relax & enjoy a glass of wine. Overnight in Florence.

After breakfast, we will travel to La Verna. One of the best known of the Franciscan Shrines. It is the place where, on the 14th of September 1224, St. Francis of Assisi received the Stigmata. On the floor of the chapel of the Stigmata we will see a stone which marks the spot where the Saint received the ultimate mark of Christ. We will celebrate mass at the Franciscan Sanctuary. Following our visit we will continue to Assisi. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

We will visit the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, when St. Francis began his ministry. We begin with Mass at Chiesa Nuova, built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of St. Francis. Next, we will proceed to 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. Then on to the basilica of St. Francis where we will pray over his tomb. We will also visit Santuario della Spogliazione, to view the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be declared Blessed and is set to be canonized. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Morning departure for the medieval city of Siena, St. Catherine’s home. We’ll visit the Duomo di Siena celebrate mass and adore the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena: consecrated hosts that have remained uncorrupted for over 200 years! Before we return to Assisi, we will make a stop in Rivotorto where St. Francis of Assisi started his life of austerity. We return to Assisi to visit St. Mary of the Angels where St. Francis spent most of his life. Here we’ll visit the Chapel Portiuncola, the rose bush and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Today we take an excursion to visit 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. All roads lead to Rome… After our visit, we will transfer to Rome and check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Today is dedicated to the Major Basilicas. We will start at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and visit the burial site of St. Paul, next we’re off to the Church of St. Mary Major where pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. And finally, we visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the “Mother of all Churches in the World,” and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. It is here (the Basilica of St. John Lateran) that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. Here, we will celebrate Mass and have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps. Dinner and overnight in Rome. (We will have the opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors at each Basilica.)

In the morning, we will head to Saint Peter’s Square for the Papal general audience with Pope Francis (subject to the Pope’s schedule.) Following a brief lunch break, we will have a private Mass nearby. Afterward, we’ll embark on a tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, and we will have the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

With an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we will transfer to Rome (FCO) airport and board the plane for our return flight(s) home.