Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Italy. 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 four 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 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) 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

The home of St. Catherine of Siena beckons as we venerate the great Eucharistic Miracle of Siena at the Basilica of St. Francis on our day trip from Assisi. Thieves stole a container of consecrated Hosts, which were later found in the church’s offertory box. They were reverently collected and have remained incorrupt since 1730. We then 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. We take a stroll through the ancient streets of Siena, which converge on the Piazza del Campo known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world with its soaring bell tower and unique shell-like shape. We’ll enjoy some time for personal activities before returning to Assisi. (B, D) Overnight Assisi

After breakfast, we depart Assisi for Lanciano, site of the oldest miracle of the Eucharist, still preserved after twelve centuries. Here we’ll visit the sanctuary of the 8th century Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano. There will be time for adoration as well as a tour of the museum detailing the history of the miracle. After time for prayer and reflection, we will then drive along the coast to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio and proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight San Giovanni Rotondo

Spend the morning in San Giovanni Rotondo, praying where St. Padre Pio prayed and relaxing in this grace-filled village. We will visit his tomb and tour the sanctuary of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where this famous saint said Mass. This afternoon, we drive a short distance to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, and visit the church built above the cave consecrated to the Lord by St. Michael himself. After time for prayer in this sacred site, return to San Giovanni for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight San Giovanni Rotondo

Depart San Giovanni early this morning and drive to Manoppello and visit the church housing the Holy Veil of Manoppello, traditionally believed to be the Veil of Veronica. Venerate this sacred icon and continue to Rome, checking into the hotel which will be our home for the next four nights. (B, D) 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, we will split up into small groups for tours of the Scavi, the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica (pending confirmation). This afternoon we will have some free time for prayer. We will have dinner on our own this evening followed by a walking tour of the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. (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 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. Return to our hotel for dinner. (B, D) Overnight Rome

This morning, we begin with a journey to St. Mary Major, where we venerate the crib of Christ and view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke. Next, visit 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 afternoon, 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. This evening, we 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)