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

Upon arrival in Milan, we will be met by our tour manager who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Depending upon our arrival time, 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. We then proceed to the Basilica of Sant’ Ambrogio honoring St. Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan. Afterwards we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D) Overnight Milan

We begin this morning in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie which houses the “Last Supper” painting by Leonardo da Vinci (pending confirmation). Afterwards, we journey a short distance to the Chiesa di San Maurizio. The unassuming exterior offers no hints to the beauty within. Often known as the “Sistine Chapel” of Milan, the interior of this former monastery is covered – from floor to ceiling – with paintings, mosaics, frescoes, and other colorful artwork. After taking in this magnificent sight, the balance of the afternoon will be free for personal activities, including dinner on your own. (B) Overnight Milan

We depart Milan today and journey south, entering the region of Reggio Emilia and the city of Parma. We’ll enjoy a walking tour of this city including its 11th-century cathedral and baptistry. Afterwards, proceed to a local winery for a tasting and lunch. We then continue our drive through the Italian countryside and arrive later this afternoon at the Tuscan city of Florence, where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Florence

Florence is a city of masterpieces where numerous churches and family chapels were painted by the greatest artists of the Renaissance to give Glory to God. We’ll enjoy a full city tour of this magnificent Renaissance city today. Stroll the same streets Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Botticelli walked. Gaze at artwork so divine it is still moving hearts, centuries after its creation. Where else can one admire Michelangelo’s David, gaze at the famous Perseus statue by Benvenuto Cellini, eat the best food, and go into deep contemplation all in one day? See the famous dome on Florence’s cathedral – Duomo di Firenze – that dominates the skyline, and walk along the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge designed by a Dominican friar. Visit the Baptistry chapel – the Baptistery of St. John – where thousands have received the Sacrament of Baptism, with its bronze Gates of Paradise showcasing fabulous castings of the Old Testament that seem to come to life. Continue onto Santa Maria Novella Church whose religious artwork is prized throughout the world. Enter the Santa Croce Church with its 16 chapels of superb frescoes by Giotto and see where two of Italy’s most famous Italians are buried: Michelangelo and Galileo. (B, D) Overnight Florence

We will depart Tuscany today and travel to the region of Umbria, stopping in Siena, where we visit St. Dominic’s, St. Catherine of Siena’s parish church where she attended daily Mass and went into ecstasy. The people of Siena wanted St. Catherine to be buried in her home church, but they were only able to procure her head, which is preserved for veneration in a reliquary in St. Dominic’s. Adjacent to the church is her birthplace and childhood home, which has been renovated throughout the centuries into a museum, including several chapels and a cloister. Visit the cell where she fasted and prayed, then experience a highlight of our day in the Basilica of St. Francis: venerating the Eucharistic miracle of Siena. Explore the majestic Gothic Cathedral of Siena, also known as the Duomo di Siena, built in the 13th and 14th centuries, and dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. This afternoon we continue to the peaceful village of Assisi, a town which welcomes you in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare into its peaceful interior, and our home for the next two nights. (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 Bl. Carlo Acutis lies. Bl. Carlo – the first millennial saint – dedicated part of his short life to cataloging Eucharistic Miracles from around the world. We then 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. This afternoon we 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.” We will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.(B, D) Overnight Assisi

Before departing Assisi this morning, we 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. We then depart for Orvieto, a walled town high on a hill that holds one of the greatest Eucharistic Miracles in its cathedral. 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 (when exposed). After venerating the sacred Eucharistic miracle, we continue to Rome. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (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. After walking through the first set of Holy Doors on this pilgrimage, we marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and 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. One is always looking up at the masterwork of art that explains the theology of God. This afternoon, we will split up into small groups for tours of the Scavi – the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica, pending confirmation. Dinner tonight will be on our own at one of Rome’s numerous restaurants. (B) 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 – including walking through another set of Holy Doors. Following this, we 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. Afterwards, travel to St. Mary Major we venerate the crib of Christ, view the famous icon attributed to St. Luke, see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the world. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Rome

Today 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, and walking through the Holy Doors, we visit the Tre Fontane, site of three fountains and three churches, where St. Paul was beheaded. Afterwards, we proceed to the Catacombs of St. Callistus and venerate the martyrs and early saints of the Church. Later today, it’s on to 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. Tonight, we will celebrate our farewell dinner together in 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)