Italy Pilgrimage Louisville ·  May 2027

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

Upon arrival in the “Eternal City,” we are met by our tour manager who will be with us for the duration of the pilgrimage. We begin our time here with a walking tour of ancient Rome. We begin in the Piazza Navona and proceed to the Pantheon. View the Forum and Colosseum (from the outside) on our way to St. Mary Major. We will then have time to venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke, and see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world. We continue to our hotel where we check in for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

We begin early this morning with some free time for prayer at St Peter’s before we walk to the NAC for a unique view of the city. Afterwards, we join thousands of other pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Angelus with the Pope and receive his blessing (per his schedule). This afternoon, we travel to another of the four major basilicas of Rome – 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. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Today we return to St. Peter’s Basilica where we enjoy a full tour, including time to marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel renovated by St. John Paul II. Afterwards, we have a guided tour 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. This afternoon, we explore the city on our own with a walking tour of some of our spiritual director’s favorite Roman sites and enjoy dinner out on our own. (B, Mass) Overnight Rome

We begin today 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, we climb the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs), which our Lord climbed on His way to His condemnation, followed by the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the seat of the Bishop of Rome. This afternoon we depart Rome and travel north to Assisi. 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, before checking into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Assisi

We begin our day in the heart of Assisi in 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 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, including dinner on our own. (B, Mass) Overnight Assisi

Depart Assisi for Turin. Along the way, we will stop in Pisa for lunch (on our own) and a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Upon arrival in Turin, we will proceed to our hotel to check in for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Turin

Today we begin in the Basilica Corpus Domini, built to commemorate the Miracle of the Eucharist of 1453. Afterwards, we visit the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in the Valdocco district, where Don Bosco established his first home and school for boys. We will have time to meet with the students before enjoying free time to explore the neighborhood of Valdocco. We will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Turin

We begin this morning in the Duomo, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, housing the reliquary containing the Shroud of Turin. After time for prayer here and veneration before the reliquary of the shroud, we can visit other side chapels of the Cathedral, including the resting place of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati. This afternoon, we journey to Colle Don Bosco. This is where St. John Bosco was born and grew up, before he moved into the city of Turin. Spend some time in prayer in the Basilica of Don Bosco before visiting Mondonio, where St. Dominic Savio died. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Turin for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Turin

This morning, we return to the Valdocco district for a deeper exploration of Don Bosco’s legacy. We begin at the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, where St. Dominic Savio attended Mass and consecrated himself to our Blessed Mother. Proceed to the Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice (Mary, Help of Christians). This church houses 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. Next door is the Casa Don Bosco, the home and museum telling the story of this saint’s life. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Turin

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.