Our pilgrimage begins today 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 pilgrimage director at the airport. We drive north, and, pending our arrival time, stop 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 three nights. We will then proceed to our hotel for check-in and dinner. (D, Mass) Overnight Assisi

We begin our day in the heart of Assisi in the Shrine of Renunciation within the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. 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 St. Carlo Acutis lies. St. Carlo – the first millennial saint – dedicated part of his short life to cataloging Eucharistic Miracles from around the world. After venerating his resting place, journey to the Basilica of St. Francis to venerate this saint’s 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

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 proceed to the valley below. Here 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. This afternoon we will travel up Mt. Subasio to L’Eremo delle Carceri (the Carceri Hermitage), St. Francis’ favorite retreat center, where he could remain in seclusion and prayer. Enjoy some personal prayer time in this peaceful location before descending back into Assisi for the evening. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Assisi

After breakfast we journey on to Rome. Upon arrival we first visit the “bone church” in the Capuchin Crypt, located beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. It contains the skeletal remains of approximately 3,700 Capuchin friars. Afterwards, journey to St. Mary Major, where we venerate the crib of Christ and view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke. After check-in and dinner at our hotel, this evening we will visit the Spanish Steps. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Our first full day in Rome begins in Santa Croce in Gerusalemme where we get a little piece of Jerusalem thanks to Constantine’s mother, St. Helena, who brought relics of the True Cross and the inscription part of the cross that stated Jesus was King of the Jews. At one time, soil from Jerusalem covered the Basilica’s floor, so it truly was part of the Holy Land. After venerating these relics of Our Lord’s crucifixion, our prayerful experience continues with a visit to St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic faithful. Then we climb the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), they can be prayed by ascending 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. This is followed by a 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. We will have dinner on our own this evening followed by a walking tour of the Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. (B, Mass) Overnight Rome

This morning we will attend the weekly Papal Audience held by His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV (pending the Holy Father’s schedule). This afternoon, we travel to the second of the four major basilicas of Rome, St. Paul Outside the Walls. The basilica was originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul’s tomb. It was destroyed by a fire in 1823 and was rebuilt later in the 19th century exactly as it was before the fire. After some time for prayer here, we proceed to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and venerate the martyrs and early saints of the Church. Dinner this evening will be followed by a walking tour of the Victor Emmanuel Monument, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Circus Maximus and Palatine Hill.
(B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Today we steep ourselves in the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, which beckons us into its interior through the arms of Bernini’s Colonnade. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Afterwards, we walk through the Vatican Museums which house artifacts from around the world before experiencing the greatest masterpiece yet, the Sistine Chapel. Painted by Michelangelo, it is the most famous ceiling in the world. Later this afternoon, we will split up into small groups for tours of the Scavi, the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica (pending confirmation). After St. Peter’s we take a short walk to Castel San Angelo and Ponte San Angelo. The castle was initially commissioned by Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The popes later used the building as a fortress castle, and it is now a museum. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Today we begin in Rome’s lovely Trastevere District 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. This afternoon is free for personal activities. This evening we celebrate a 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 flight home, cherishing all the wonderful memories and graces of this pilgrimage.