PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY:
Depart USA flight to Paris. Dinner and overnight on board.
Welcome to Paris. Nigh city tour and dinner.
- Day 3 (13 SEP) PARIS - ROME
After breakfast visit Notre Dame and transfers to airport to Rome! Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and accommodation. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Return to the hotel for the night.
After breakfast, depart for St. Peter's Square to participate in the Angelus, one of the Vatican’s most symbolic ceremonies. This moment of prayer, led by the Pope from the window of the Apostolic Palace, gathers thousands of faithful from around the world who seek the Pope's blessing. After the Angelus, you will have the opportunity to cross the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, an act of spiritual renewal. Crossing it during the Holy Year symbolizes the desire to draw closer to God and receive plenary indulgence, making this a unique experience for all pilgrims. followed by a visit to the Vatican Museums. We will visit the Sistine Chapel with the restored mural of the Last Judgment. We continue to St Peter’s Basilica, built on the site of St. Peter’s tomb. We will also visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II located at the Vatican. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 5 (15 SEP) CHRISTIAN ROME
A day dedicated to pilgrimage and spirituality. After breakfast, visit three important sacred sites in Rome. The first stop will be the majestic Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four papal basilicas, built over the tomb of the Apostle Paul. Here, you can admire the magnificent apse mosaic, the medieval cloister, and the papal medallions that tell the Church’s story. Next, visit the Abbey of the Three Fountains, a monastic complex surrounded by nature, where, according to tradition, St. Paul was beheaded. You can stroll through the tranquil gardens and learn the story of the three miraculous fountains associated with his martyrdom. Today we include visits to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, continue to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, see the Scala Santa (Holy Staircase) in the fourth century. Some of us could climb the steps on our knees in memory of Christ’s Passion. We then return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
- Day 6 (16 SEP) ROME - MONTECASSINO - SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
After breakfast we start our journey south, enjoying the beautiful countryside head south crossing through the Roman countryside with its villas and vineyards. About 90 minutes away we will make our stop at the Montecassino Abbey, founded by St Benedict in the 6th century, the origins of the Benedictine’s Monks,
We continue towards Foggia Province to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, where the Capuchin Monastery is, the site where the Saint Pio lived from 1916, until his death in September, 1968. The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pieltrecina is a Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site dedicated to the Italian Capuchin friar, Padre Pio. The incorrupt body of Padre Pio is on permanent display in the shrine's crypt. Dinner and accommodation.
- Day 7 (17 SEP) SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO – ST. PADRE PIO
We will participate at the early Mass at the tomb of St. Padre Pio, A large number of miracles were attributed to Padre Pio, but the most notable was the marks of the stigmata, the physical markings of Christ's crucifixion, which he bore his entire life. We will tour the sanctuary and see the old church and the crucifix he was praying in front of when he received the stigmata for the second time in 1918. We will then visit the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 8 (18 SEP) SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - LANCIANO – LORETO - ASSISI
Breakfast and early departure to Lanciano (96 miles) to visit the Church of St. Longinus where you see the Eucharistic Miracle and participate in the 9am Mass if possible. We continue north to the city of Loreto where we visit the Marian shrine of Loreto (120 miles) and the Holy House of Nazareth with the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. We continue to Assisi, (90 miles) the hometown of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order. Upon arrival, free time to explore this small town surrounded by medieval-style walls, a global center of spirituality. A visit to the famous Basilica of St. Francis is recommended, where you can admire masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. Dinner and accommodation. Overnight in Assisi.
- Day 9 (19 SEP) ASSISI · SIENA · FLORENCE
Breakfast and departure to Siena, (85 miles) a monumental city surrounded by imposing walls, we make a stop to visit the medieval town, see the old Tower district and its impressive Piazza del Campo.
Continue to Florence, (46 miles) a city where Italian genius manifests in all its splendor. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, We will do an afternoon tour, you will admire the imposing Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, symbolizing Florence's wealth and power in the 13th and 14th centuries, crowned by Brunelleschi’s majestic dome. You will also see Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, famous for its Bronze Doors, including the "Gates of Paradise," as named by Michelangelo. The tour continues through Piazza della Signoria, with the Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of Santa Croce. dinner, and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. Florence is a city where Italian genius manifests in all its splendor. The historic center, together with the Campanile, Baptistery, and Cathedral, forms an extraordinary ensemble of white, green, and pink marbles. Today we suggest to explore the city, have lunch at a typical restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce or take our optional visit to Pisa. Overnight stay in Florence.
- Day 11 (21 SEP) FLORENCE – MONTICHIARI – PADUA
After breakfast, departure to Montichiari (180 miles) where our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary appeared four times to visionary Pierina Gilli as Rosa Mystica. The most important apparition was on the 8th of December, feast of the Immaculate Conception, when the devotion of the Hour of Grace would have been asked. After our visit to the Montichiari, we will continue to Fontanelle, where in 1966 Our Lady appeared again to Pierina Gilli four times. Fontanelle is a Sanctuary in open country, three kilometers from Montichiari. Our Lady blessed the water springs that flow in this place. Fontanelle has become a place of worship and Marian devotion.
Our next stop is Padua (85 miles), where we will visit the Basilica of St. Anthony. It was constructed between 1232 and 1394, and it has a Roman/Gothic style. The relics of St. Anthony are contained therein, making it a Meta of continual pilgrimage, as well as a place of preservation for masterpieces by the artists Donatello, Altichiero and Giusto Dè Menabuoi. Chek-in in our hotel and dinner and overnight in Padua.
- Day 12 (22 SEP) PADUA - VENICE
Breakfast and we start our short trip to Venice (25 miles). Our first stop is St. Mark's Square for a guided tour of the city. The walking tour includes St. Mark's Square, the Doge’s Palace—symbol of Venice’s glory and power, the residence of the Dukes, and the seat of government. The Palace is connected to the Prison by the famous Bridge of Sighs, known for being the place where Casanova was imprisoned. After the guided tour, enjoy a typical Venetian aperitif with the famous “cicchetti” (local tapas), accompanied by a spritz or prosecco. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Venice at your leisure or join optional visits. Overnight stay at the hotel in Venice.
- Day 13 (23 SEP) VENICE - RETURN HOME
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return home flight. END OF OUR SERVICES.
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