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 Milan, we are met by our pilgrimage manager who will be with us for the duration of the pilgrimage. Here 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. Then on to Turin where we begin with an orientation to this historic city. We will visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist which houses the reliquary containing the Shroud of Turin. We will visit other side chapels of the Cathedral, including the resting place of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati. Then on to our hotel where we check in for dinner and overnight. (D) Overnight Turin

In the morning, 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 explore the Valdocco district further before heading to the Colle Don Bosco. This is where St. John Bosco was born and grew up before he moved to the city. Then we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Turin

Today we begin in the Basilica Corpus Domini, built to commemorate the Miracle of the Eucharist of 1453, before visiting Mondonio, where St. Dominic Savio died. Then we proceed to the Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice (Mary, Help of Christians). This church houses the bodies 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. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Turin for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Turin

Early this morning we depart Turin for Assisi. Along the way, we will stop in Siena for lunch and visit the Basilica of St. Dominic where St. Catherine attended daily Mass and went into spiritual ecstasy. Inside, the Chapel of Vaults holds the only portrait of the saint painted while she was alive. Some of her relics are also here to venerate. Adjacent to the church is the home where she lived, fasted, and prayed. Upon arrival in Assisi, 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) 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 goldenlocks 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) Overnight Assisi

We depart Assisi and travel south to the “Eternal City” of Rome. Upon arrival, we visit 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. We continue to our hotel where we check in for dinner and overnight. (B, D) 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. 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 4th 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) 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 begin with a walking tour of ancient Rome 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. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) 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 will visit first the Church of the Gesu, the mother church of the Society of Jesus. Then on to the Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, the church dedicated to the founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Finally, we visit the Basilica di Pope Saint Clement, where we will see the lower level filled with medieval frescoes. This evening we will celebrate a farewell dinner at 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. (B)