BLESSED ITALY
DAY-BY DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1 - DEPART.
Flight to Milan.
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL
On arrival transfer to the Pilgrim’s House in the area of Milan for dinner and overnight.
DAY 3– MILAN.
After breakfast visit the Cathedral of Milan, historical place where St Augustine was baptized by St Ambrose. Celebrate Mass at the crypt by the tomb of St Carlo Borromeo and venerate the famous relic of the Holy Nail. In the afternoon optional visit to Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Dinner and overnight at the Pilgrim’s house in the area of Milan.
DAY 4- MILAN- TURIN – ASTI
/Milan - Turin 140 km, approx 2 hours transfer; Turin –Asti 60 km, 1 hour/
Transfer to Turin to visit the Cathedral with the Holy Shround. Later the pilgrimage continues to Asti to visit the Shrine of St Joseph Marello, Founder of the Oblates of St. Joseph. Dinner and overnight at the seminary in Asti. /If possible/
DAY 5– ASTI – AREA OF FLORENCE
/Asti - Loppiano 300 km, approx 6 – 6,5 hours transfer/
Transfer to Loppiano. Visit a modern Community of Christians, City of Mary, founded by Focolare Movement, inspired by Chiara Lubich. Mass in the Shrine of Theotokos, Mother of God. Relax and enjoy the landscape of rural Tuscany in Loppiano. Dinner and overnight in area of Loppiano.
DAY 6– INCISA – SIENA - ASSISI
/Incisa – Siena 90 km, approx 1,5hours; Siena- Assisi 130 km, approx. 2 hours/
Depart after breakfast for Siena, the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernadine and Italy's loveliest medieval city. Sightseeing of Siena takes you to the Basilica of St Dominic where we venerate the incorrupt head of St Catherine and celebrate Mass. Continue to the Cathedral and Piazza Del Campo.
If time permitting visit the Basilica of St Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts. In the afternoon transfer to Assisi for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7- ASSISI
Full day in Assisi
After breakfast we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St Francis. Explore the burial place of the Patron Saint of Italy and the Basilica of St. Clare. Here you may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. In the afternoon visit St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we see the Portiuncola, the rose garden, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Dinner and overnight at the Pilgrims house in Assisi, Santa Maria degli Angeli.
DAY 8– FULL DAY TRIP TO CASIA
/Assisi – Casia, 91 km –approx 2 hours/
We leave for the full day excursion to Cascia to see the Eucharistic Miracle and the Sanctuary of Saint Rita, the saint of the impossible. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
DAY 9 - ASSISI- LORETO
/Assisi – Loreto 154km, approx 2,5 hours/
Depart for Loreto, the main Marian shrine in Italy, with visit to the Basilica where part of the home of the Holy Family of Nazareth now stands. Mass in the Casa Santa-tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood and in which the Holy Family lived. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Loreto.
DAY 10- LORETO- LANCIANO - SAN GIOVANI ROTONDO
/Loreto – Lanciano-180 km, approx 2 hours, Lanciano - San Giovanni 155km, approx 2,5 hours/
After breakfast, we motor south along the Adriatic Sea to Lanciano. Here we see the 8th-century Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass. After expressing doubts about Christ's true presence in the consecrated host, a monk found himself holding a host that had changed into flesh and wine that had changed into blood. This afternoon we leave for San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11– SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
Full day in San Giovani Rotondo
Today, visit the sites of Padre Pio’s life including his tomb and cell. Celebrate Mass in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Padre Pio lived. Afternoon optional tour to Pietrelcina, the birthplace of the great 20th century saint. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
DAY 12- SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - MONTE SANT’ ANGELO
Excursion to Monte Sant Angelo
Drive to Monte Sant’ Angelo to celebrate morning Mass. Visit the shrine of San Michele, where the Archangel appeared in apparition in the 5th century. Afternoon at leisure in San Giovanni Rotondo, chance to spend more time with Padre Pio. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
DAY 13- SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - MONTE CASSINO – ROME
San Giovanni Rotondo – Monte Casino – 230 km – 3,5 hours, Cassino – Rome 140 km – 2,5 hours/
Today we head west to Rome with a stop in Monte Cassino, the Benedictine Monastery founded in 529. Arrive in Rome, the Eternal City, in time for dinner.
DAY14– VATICAN - ST. PETER THE ROCK
Attend the Papal General Audience at the Vatican and receive the Blessing of the Holy Father. After lunch break Mass celebrated at the Santo Spirito, Divine Mercy Center in Rome. Afternoon guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica. After dinner optional tour “Rome by night” includes Collosium, Forum Romanum, Piaza Venezia and Trevi Fountain.
DAY 15 - CHRISTIAN ROME
Major Basilicas, Martyrs’ blood is the seed of new Christians
Morning Mass will be celebrated at the catacombs of St. Calixtus. Continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls the burial site of the apostle of Gentiles. Visit St John Lateran and proceed to Scala Sancti, the Holy Stairs that Jesus had climbed before being sentenced to death. Continue on to Mary Major, the first Marian shrine in the Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
DAY 16– DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Airport for your return flight.
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
• Air Transportation
• 14 nights accommodation/ rooms with private facilities
• 3or 4 star hotels or pilgrims houses depend on your request
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• All transfers by private motor coach
• Guide and tour escort
• Catholic Priest and Mass daily
• Papal Audience (if available)
• Local guides if needed and admission fees
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