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. We will then proceed to our hotel for check-in and dinner. (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 Bl. Carlo Acutis lies. Bl. 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) 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) Overnight Assisi

Today is free for personal and communal retreat activities. (B, D) Overnight Assisi

After a prayerful final morning in Assisi, including Sunday Mass, we return to Rome to check into our hotel. Later this afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour of tour of some of Rome’s famous sites, including the Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon with its unique dome that inspired Michelangelo. (B, D) 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. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at 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. This afternoon, 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, we proceed to the Catacombs of St. Callistus and venerate the martyrs and early saints of the Church. (B, D) 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 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. (B, D) 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, journey to St. Mary Major, the fourth Papal Basilica. Here we 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 enjoy some free time this afternoon before our farewell dinner this evening. (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)