Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Italy. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Milan, we will be met by our tour manager who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Depending upon our arrival time, we will visit the Duomo, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals. The Duomo houses the tomb of St. Charles Borromeo, known for his leadership during the Counter-Reformation, as well as the baptistry where St. Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose. Afterwards we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) Overnight Milan

After breakfast, we journey outside Milan to the city of Turin. We begin our time here in the Duomo – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – which houses the reliquary containing the Shroud of Turin. We will have what is perhaps a once‐in‐a‐lifetime opportunity to view the Shroud (pending confirmation of display dates). After time for prayer here and veneration of the shroud (if scheduled), we can visit other side chapels of the cathedral, including the resting place of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. Blessed Frassati is set to be canonized by Pope Francis during the Jubilee, so he will be a saint by the time we visit! This afternoon we proceed to the Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice (Mary, Help of Christians). This church contains the body of St. John Bosco (and was originally part of the home for boys he founded), St. Mary Mazzarello, St. Dominic Savio, and relics of over 6,000 other saints. After time for prayer and reflection, we return to our hotel in Milan for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Milan

After an early breakfast, we journey south into Tuscany and its capital of Florence. Upon arrival, we marvel at the famous dome on Florence’s cathedral – Duomo di Firenze – that dominates the skyline, before entering for a tour and time for prayer. Visit the Baptistery chapel – the Baptistery of St. John – where thousands have received the Sacrament of Baptism – with its bronze Gates of Paradise showcasing fabulous castings of the Old Testament that seem to come to life. Later this afternoon, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Florence

Florence is a city of masterpieces where numerous churches and family chapels were painted by the greatest artists of the Renaissance to give glory to God. We’ll spend the morning together on a tour of some of the most famous sites as we stroll the same streets Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Botticelli walked. Gaze at artwork so divine it is still moving hearts today, centuries after its creation. Where else can one admire Michelangelo’s David, gaze at the famous Perseus statue by Benvenuto Cellini, eat the best food, and go into deep contemplation all in one day? We begin at Santa Maria Novella Church – showcasing religious artwork prized throughout the world. Enter the Santa Croce Church with its 16 chapels of superb frescoes by Giotto and see where two of Italy’s most famous Italians are buried: Michelangelo and Galileo. This afternoon we will have some time free for personal exploration, relaxation, and shopping. Perhaps tour the famous Uffizi art galleries or discover a tucked-away café to sit and simply take in this majestic city. Afterwards, return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Florence

We will depart Tuscany today and travel to the region of Umbria, stopping in Siena to visit St. Dominic’s, St. Catherine of Siena’s parish church where she attended daily Mass and went into ecstasy. The people of Siena wanted St. Catherine to be buried in her home church, but they were only able to procure her head, which is preserved for veneration in a reliquary. Adjacent to the church is her birthplace and childhood home, which has been renovated throughout the centuries into a museum, now including several chapels and a cloister. Visit the cell where she fasted and prayed, then experience a highlight of our day in the Basilica of St. Francis: venerating the Eucharistic miracle of Siena. Explore the majestic Gothic Cathedral of Siena, also known as the Duomo di Siena, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, and dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. This afternoon we continue to the peaceful village of Assisi, a town which welcomes you in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare into its peaceful interior, and our home for the next two nights. (B, D) Overnight Assisi

We begin our day in the heart of Assisi at the Basilica of St. Francis, where we venerate this saint’s burial place. Continue to the Shrine of Renunciation within St. Mary Major church. This shrine was built to commemorate the spot where St. Francis renounced his wealth and family and began his life of poverty and service to the Lord. It is now where the tomb of Bl. Carlo Acutis lies. Bl. Carlo – set to be canonized on April 27th as the first Millennial Saint– dedicated part of his short life to cataloging Eucharistic Miracles from around the world. Afterwards is the Basilica of St. Clare, which holds the famous San Damiano Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis, and where the golden locks of St. Clare’s hair and St. Francis’ poor patched tunic are kept. This afternoon we witness where the power of the Eucharist turned away an army. The invading Saracen army was about to attack the Convent of San Damiano where St. Clare lived with her nuns in 1241. Even though bedridden, St. Clare got up and held the Blessed Sacrament in the air and saw the advancing army flee in terror, thus establishing “The Miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi.” Also in the convent, we will visit the chapel where Jesus spoke to St. Francis from the crucifix. We will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Assisi

Before departing Assisi this morning, we visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. We then depart for Orvieto, a walled town high on a hill that holds one of the greatest Eucharistic Miracles in its cathedral. In nearby Bolsena, a priest doubted the Eucharistic Presence during Mass and the host turned to real flesh and the wine to real blood during the consecration. The priest brought the blood-stained Corporal to Pope Urban in Orvieto, and it is now kept in a special reliquary for the faithful to view (when exposed). After venerating the sacred Eucharistic miracle, we continue to Rome. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Rome

On our first full day in Rome, we begin with a walking tour of ancient Rome. We begin in the Piazza Navona and proceed to the Pantheon with its unique dome that inspired Michelangelo. Venerate the resting place of St. Ignatius of Loyola and other notable Jesuits and admire the intricate frescoes and paintings of all the side chapels in the Church of the Gesu. Afterwards, we walk past the Forum and Colosseum (outside visits) on our way to St. Mary Major. Here we walk through our first set of Holy Doors on this Jubilee pilgrimage, venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke, and see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world. (B, D) Overnight Rome

This morning, we will attend the weekly Papal audience given by His Holiness, Pope Francis (depending upon the Holy Father’s schedule). This afternoon we climb the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), which our Lord climbed on His way to His condemnation. Afterwards, we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where we walk through our second set of Holy Doors. Continue to St. Clement’s Basilica, which houses an original fresco depicting St. Clement celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, giving us a picture of Eucharistic worship at the end of the first century or the beginning of the second. (B, D) Overnight Rome

Our day today is filled with wonder and awe as we steep ourselves in the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, which beckons us into its interior through the arms of Bernini’s Colonnade. We will also walk through our third set of Holy Doors here. Afterwards, enjoy a guided tour through the Vatican Museums which house artifacts from around the world as we prepare ourselves for the greatest masterpiece yet: The Sistine Chapel. Painted by Michelangelo, it is the most famous ceiling in the world under which popes are chosen to lead the faithful. This afternoon, we travel to the last of the four major basilicas of Rome – and our final set of Holy Doors – St. Paul Outside the Walls. Though it was destroyed by a fire in 1823, it was originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul’s tomb and was rebuilt in the 19th century exactly as it was before the fire. We then journey into the lives of the martyrs as we visit the Catacombs. Here Christians celebrated the Mass in secret and buried the martyrs, including several popes. Tonight, we will celebrate our farewell dinner together in a local restaurant. (B, D) Overnight Rome

Today we say “Ciao” to Italia and transfer to the airport for our return flight home, cherishing all the wonderful memories and graces of this pilgrimage.