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

After our arrival in the “Eternal City”, we will be met by our tour manager at the airport and drive north, stopping in the walled town of Orvieto. In the 13th century, 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. It was also in Orvieto where Pope Urban IV called for a world-wide Feast of Corpus Christi. After venerating the sacred Eucharistic miracle, we will continue our drive through the beautiful Umbrian countryside to Assisi, a town which welcomes us in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, and our home for the next two nights. Upon arrival we will 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 will then proceed to our hotel for check-in and dinner. (D, Mass) Overnight Assisi

On our first full day in Italy, we will 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 bed-ridden, St. Clare got up and held the Blessed Sacrament in the air and saw the advancing army flee in terror 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, then visit the Basilica of St. Francis to venerate his burial place. 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. The remainder of the day will be free for personal prayer and activities. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Assisi

This morning we will depart Assisi and journey southeast, first stopping in Loreto, to visit the Shrine of the Holy House, said to be the same house in which the Virgin Mary was born and raised in Nazareth. This is where she received the visitation of the angel announcing that she was the mother of Jesus and according to tradition the home was transported by four angels from Nazareth to its present resting place in Loreto. Afterwards, we will continue our journey along the Adriatic to Lanciano, site of the oldest miracle of the Eucharist, still preserved after twelve centuries. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Lanciano

This morning we’ll visit the sanctuary of the 8th century Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano. There will be time for adoration as well as a tour of the museum detailing the history of the miracle. After time for prayer and reflection, we will then drive along the coast to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio. Visit his tomb and tour the sanctuary of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where this famous Saint said Mass. After visiting this mystical Saint’s cell and the parlor where he greeted the faithful, we proceed to our hotel for the night. (B, D, Mass) Overnight San Giovanni Rotondo

Depart San Giovanni early this morning and drive up to Monte Sant’ Angelo for a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Afterwards, continue to Pietrelcina, the birthplace of St. Padre Pio. We will have a chance to visit his childhood home and the church where he was baptized before continuing to Naples for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Pompeii

This morning we visit the ruined city of Pompeii that was dug out from the ashes rained on it by Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Pray at the shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, built by Blessed Bartolo Longo who was once a fallen-away Catholic. After his reversion to the faith, he developed a great devotion to Our Lady and took the religious name of Brother Rosario upon becoming a Third Order Dominican. Journey north to the Abbey of Montecassino. Montecassino is considered by many to be the birthplace of monasticism in Western Europe and was founded by St. Benedict We will have a guided tour of the Abbey, including the extensive museum and the relics of Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica which are interred beneath the main altar. Arrive in Rome this evening in time for dinner and check-in at our hotel. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Our first full day in Rome 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. After walking through the first set of holy Doors on this pilgrimage, we marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and the Perpetual Adoration Chapel renovated by St. John Paul II. Afterwards, we walk through the Vatican Museums which house artifacts from around the world and Eucharistic art to 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. One is always looking up at the masterwork of art that explains the theology of God. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

The Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, are prayed this day by going up them on your knees because they are so sacred. Christ walked on these 28 marble stairs at the home of Pontius Pilate before he was condemned to death. For those who cannot climb the stairs on their knees there are other stairs leading to the chapel at the top. Our prayerful experience continues with a visit to St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic faithful and the oldest basilica in Europe – including walking through another set of Holy Doors. Following this, we stop at St. Clement’s Basilica, built in honor of the fourth pope. An original fresco inside this basilica depicts St. Clement celebrating Mass, giving us a visible history of Eucharistic worship at the end of the first century. Traveling to St. Peter in Chains, we catch a glimpse into ancient Rome as we pass by the Forum and the Colosseum. Inside the church, we see the chains that held St. Peter during his imprisonment in Rome and the famous Moses statue carved by Michelangelo. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Today we visit St. Paul Outside the Walls, originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul’s tomb. After some time for prayer, and walking through the Holy Doors, we visit the Tre Fontane, site of three fountains and three churches, where St. Paul was beheaded. Afterwards, we proceed to the Catacombs of St. Callistus and venerate the martyrs and early saints of the Church. This evening we will enjoy a walking tour, beginning in the Piazza Navona and including the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain where a coin thrown over your shoulder will guarantee you another visit to Rome. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

This morning we will attend the weekly Papal audience given by His Holiness, Pope Francis (depending upon the Holy Father’s schedule). Afterwards, travel to St. Mary Major we venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke, see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world, and walk through our final set of Holy Doors on this Jubilee pilgrimage. After some free time, we will gather together to enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

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