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Today we embark on our pilgrimage with an overnight flight(s) from Houston to Rome. Enjoy meals and refreshments served on the plane.
Upon arrival in Rome, we will gather our bags and meet our tour manager. Check-in at our hotel in Rome and settle in. Later, we will take a “get yourself acquainted” bus tour of the eternal city before celebrating mass and enjoying a welcome dinner for our pilgrimage in the evening. Dinner.
Overnight in Rome
After breakfast, we’ll embark on a tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Scavi Tour (subject to availability) and attend mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. After a short lunch break at Piazza Navona, we will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Basilica di Santa Croce, Church of St. Mary Major, and the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Here, we will have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps. We will have the opportunity to walk though all four Holy Doors. Dinner.
Overnight in Rome
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). Afterward, we will have a private Mass nearby. Following a brief lunch break at Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, we will travel to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum for a private tour.
Overnight in Rome
After breakfast, we will embark on a historic tour of Ancient Rome. We will stroll along cobblestone streets, lined with majestic stone pines, and visit the Colosseum, a grand amphitheater of the ancient world. Well visit the Basilica of San Clemente, housing the tombs of St. Cyril, St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Clement. Next, we’re off too Basilica of Santa Sabina where we will be able to view the cell of St. Dominic and celebrate mass. Passing by the Roman Forum, we will witness the ruins of ancient government buildings. Finally, we will visit the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva where St. Catherine and Fra Angelico are buried. Dinner.
Overnight in Rome
Today we depart Rome and make our way to the hill town of Orvieto where St. Thomas Aquinas taught and where the Eucharistic Miracle took place in 1263. Ascend by funicular to the Cathedral and its wonderful Fresco Cycle by Signorelli including “The Last Judgment.” After Mass here, there will be time for lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants. After lunch we will have some leisure time before we board the bus and depart for Assisi. Upon arrival in Assisi, we will check in to the hotel then walk into town and watch as Assisi is illuminated by oil lamps, for the feast of St. Francis, burning consecrated oil brought from a different Italian town each year.
Overnight in Assisi
After breakfast, 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. The remainder of the day has been set aside for you to visit Assisi as you wish.
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!
Overnight in Assisi
Morning departure to Florence, on our way 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. Dinner.
Overnight in Florence
Today we wake up in the cradle of the Renaissance. After breakfast we will enjoy a tour of the Convent of San Domenico. Next, we will visit the Convento di San Marco, an architectural masterpiece built by Michelozzo by appointment of Cosimo de’ Medici. Continue through Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore 13th century cathedral. After mass at the Cathedral, we’ll have some leisure time to relax & enjoy a glass of wine”.
Overnight in Florence
Today we will start with a visit to the L’Accadamia Museum to view Michelangelo’s “David” as well as other works of art. Next were off to the Basilica di San Lorenzo where we will celebrate mass. After lunch, we’ll visit Casa di Dante and Chiesa di Santa Margherita dei Cerchi where Dante attended mass and was married. Short walk to the Galleria degli Uffizi and finally as the sun starts to set well visit the Ponte Vecchio before heading back to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Florence
After breakfast we depart for Bologna, where we will visit the Basilica of San Domenico and view the tomb of St. Dominic and celebrate mass. After lunch we’ll visit Chiesa di San Sigismondo where Blessed Imelda remains. Next, we visit to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca a church that has existed on the hill for about a thousand years. Dinner.
Overnight in Florence
With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and board our return flight home.
