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

Upon arrival in Florence, we are met at the airport by our tour manager, who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Time permitting, we will celebrate Mass and then check-in at our hotel, home for the next 2 nights. (D)

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, 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 Italy’s most famous Italians are buried: Michelangelo and Galileo. (B, D)

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 three nights. (B, D)

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. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

This morning we will visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, the site of the beloved Porziuncola – the tiny chapel rebuilt by St. Francis and his fellow friars after Francis took the commandment from the Lord to “rebuild my church” literally, and where St. Clare began her life as a nun. In the heart of Assisi, we will witness where the power of the Eucharist turned away an army. The invading Saracens were 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. Also in the convent, we will visit the chapel where Jesus spoke to St. Francis from the crucifix. The remainder of the day will be free for personal prayer and activities, including dinner on your own. (B)

Depart this morning for 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. Afterwards, we will journey along the Adriatic to Lanciano, site of the oldest miracle of the Eucharist, still preserved after twelve centuries. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

This morning 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. Visit his tomb and tour the sanctuary of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where this famous Saint said Mass. After visiting this mystical Saint’s cell and the parlor where he greeted the faithful, we proceed to our hotel for the night. (B, D)

Depart San Giovanni early this morning and drive up to Monte Sant’ Angelo for a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Afterwards, continue to Monte Cassino to visit the famous Abbey of Monte Cassino, founded by Benedict in 529 after he left Subiaco and where he lived until he died. Monte Cassino is considered by many to be the birthplace of monasticism in Western Europe. We will have a guided tour of the Abbey, including the extensive museum and the relics of Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica which are interred beneath the main altar. Arrive in Rome this evening in time for dinner and check-in at our hotel. (B, D)

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. Afterwards, we continue to St. St. Clement Basilica, which houses an original fresco depicting St. Clement celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, giving us a picture of Eucharistic worship at the end of the first century or the beginning of the second. Lastly, we’ll admire Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of Moses inside St. Peter in Chains. Finally, we proceed to St. Mary Major where 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. (B, D)

This morning we will attend the weekly Papal audience given by His Holiness, Pope Francis (depending upon the Holy Father’s schedule). This Afternoon, we travel to the last 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)

We begin our day with a tour through the peaceful Vatican Gardens. Then we enter the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass, followed by a tour of St. Peter’s including the Pieta and Adoration Chapel. Afterwards, we walk through the Vatican Museums which house artifacts from the 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 is followed by free time to relax or explore other sections of the city. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening at one of Rome’s many restaurants. (B)

This morning we enjoy a walking tour in the heart of Rome, including inside visits to the Colosseum and Forum, followed by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain – where a coin thrown over your shoulder will guarantee you another visit to Rome. You will then have the afternoon free to explore sections of the city not on our itinerary, or perhaps revisit one of your favorite sites from earlier in the pilgrimage. This evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of our Italian pilgrimage at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Our time pondering the history and faith of Italy comes to a close. We transfer to the airport for our return flight home cherishing all the wonderful memories and graces of this pilgrimage. (B)