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, through the beautiful Umbrian countryside to Assisi, a town which welcomes us in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare. Here we journey first up Monte Subasio to L’ Eremo delle Carceri, or the Carceri hermitage. These caves are where St. Francis and his followers first prayed and started their ministry to the world. Here, where St Francis often prayed, in the midst of the lush green forest and the singing birds, one gets a deep sense of the Franciscan spirit. It is a peaceful and reflective way to begin our pilgrimage in the spirit of St. Francis. After some time for prayer and our own private reflections, we return to the valley of Assisi, where we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (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, Mass) Overnight Assisi

Our day begins with a visit to 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 was consecrated. We then journey north on a day trip today through Tuscany, to the Sanctuary of La Verna, located on land that was donated to St. Francis by Count Orlando Cattani in 1213. In La Verna, we visit the Sanctuary of San Francesco, a site of constant pilgrimage over the centuries and a religious center known all over the world. The hermitage built here became a favored site for Francis and his followers, where they would come and retreat, spending long periods of meditation and prayer. In 1224, what would be St. Francis’ last stay at La Verna, while absorbed in prayer, he had a vision and received the stigmata that he carried until his death two years later. We visit the Stigmata Chapel as well as Sasso Spicco, the great overhanging rock under which Francis delighted to pray, and the beautiful Chapel of the Birds, then spend the remains of the day in this retreat-like setting, reflecting upon the life and teachings of St. Francis, before returning to Assisi for our last peaceful evening in this serene setting. (B, D) Overnight Assisi

This morning we will depart Assisi and journey south, stopping in Cascia to visit the Shrine of St. Rita and venerate the Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia. We then proceed to 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. After venerating the site of this miraculous occurrence, we continue south to Rome, where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (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. 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 cross the Tiber to visit the Croatian Church of St. Jerome (Chiesa di San Girolamo dei Croati). Afterwards, walk to some of Rome’s most famous tourist sites: the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. We can enjoy a little bit of free time here before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Rome

We begin this morning at another of the four major basilicas – 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. This afternoon, we’ll journey to the charming neighborhood of Trastevere, with medieval cobblestone streets and religious shrines decorating doorways. The main square is dominated by the 12th century Basilica di Santa Maria, a church full of classical wonders from glittering mosaics to the relics of the Holy Sponge and St. Apolonia. Our day continues with a visit to the Basilica di Santa Cecilia built atop her former home. One of the earliest martyrs of Rome, St. Cecilia survived a near-decapitation for three days and was the first saint whose body was found to be incorrupt. (B, D) Overnight Rome

This morning we travel a short distance outside of Rome to Subiaco, where we visit Benedict’s monastery, built around the Sacro Speco (Holy Cave) where he lived for three years in prayer and seclusion. Here St. Benedict began to codify his Rule, which became the foundation of western monasticism. We will also visit St. Scholastica’s Monastery, built by Benedict and his twin sister, Scholastica, originally one of twelve in this area. We will see the cloisters from the 6th and 11th centuries, as well as the medieval church decorated by Cosmati, before returning to Rome for the night. (B, D) Overnight Rome

The Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, are prayed this morning by climbing them on your knees because they are so sacred. Christ walked on these 28 marble stairs at the home of Pontius Pilate to be condemned to death. For those who cannot climb the stairs on their knees there are other stairs available for walking up that also lead 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. Nearby, we visit the Franciscan Papal University of Antonianum, one of the centers of the Franciscan order. This afternoon, we journey to St. Mary Major, the last major Papal Basilica of our pilgrimage, where we venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon painting attributed to St. Luke, and see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world. We will also have the chance to venerate the burial site of St. Jerome, who is buried here. Tonight, we can explore independently, including dinner on our own at one of Rome’s numerous tasty restaurants. (B) Overnight Rome

On our last full day in Rome, we begin with a walking tour through ancient Rome, starting at the Piazza Navona with Bernini’s lavish fountains and proceed to the Pantheon with its unique dome that inspired Michelangelo. Afterwards, venerate the resting place of St. Helena (mother of Constantine) and the Croatian Queen Katarina Kotromanic in the Franciscan church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. We continue with outside visits to some of Rome’s most famous ancient sites: t the Forum and Colosseum, ending at the Circus Maximus. The balance of the day will be free before we gather once more to celebrate our farewell dinner this evening. (B, D) 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.