Venice – Padova – Florence – Assisi – Loreto – Lanciano -San Giovanni Rotondo and Rome
DAY 1 Depart USA
Today we embark on our Journey. Prepare ourselves for a
life-changing experience. Get some rest on the overnight flight. Meals are served on board.
DAY 2 Padua / Venice.
Late morning arrival at Marco Polo airport in Venice. .. Meet Italian tour escort and transfer at hotel in PADOVA for check in -Time permitting we will visit the Abbey where St. Anthony is buried…. Anthony , the Saint of poor people,he wanted to live side by side with the most humble and poor class of society, taking on as his own their sufferings and the contradictions in which the populace groaned, abandoned to the arrogance of the strong, unprotected from the violent. Anthony fought courageously to restore each man with his original image and resemblance to God, opening his heart to receive the Gospel of the Kingdom carried by the Saviour.
“He brought brothers in discord together in peace; he gave freedom back to prisoners; he caused the restitution of that which had been robbed through usury or violence He liberated prostitutes from the obscene market, and thieves famous for misdeeds held back from laying their hands on the things of others.” Mass will be Celebrated in the Basilica of St. Anthony
Dinner and overnight. (D)
DAY 3 Venice.
After a good breakfast, transfer to Venice for a full day of excursion part by boat and on foot in this fascinating town. In the morning a guided tour to visit the Basilica of St. Mark the Evangelist ( inside) and to walk through the narrow streets ( calle ) to see Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sights, the Fenice theatre and other venetian buildings
Balance of the day at leisure for shopping and for an optional “Gondola ride” Mass will be Celebrated in the Basilica of St. Mark.
Return at hotel in PADOVA in the late afternoon – Dinner and overnight. (BD)
DAY 4 Padova / Florence.
After breakfast a three and half hour drive, to reach Florence
Today’s destination is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and is one of the most beautiful and inspiring cities of the world with its rich artistic, historic and spiritual heritage. Florence is birthplace or chosen home of Dante, Boccaccio, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Donatello, Galileo, We will be treated to a wonderful tour of this Cradle of Renaissance, allowing us to see many unforgettable sights such as the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria delFiore, Florence’s Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the bronze “gate of Paradise, of St. John’s Baptistery
Balance of the day at leisure to explore additional treasures of Florence and shop on your own. Mass will be Celebrated in a selected church Transfer at hotel, dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 5 Assisi:
Depart Florence after breakfast and travel south to reach ASSISI ( 170 Km – approx. 2 hrs drive) Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace (attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi) Upon arrival in Assisi , visit the Church of Santa Maria degliAngeli, containing the famous Porziuncola
The very ancient chapel, venerated for an apparition of angels within it, was originally property of the Benedictines of Subasio. It was located on a piece of land known as the Portiuncula; this name became attached to the chapel.
After a long period of abandonment, it was restored by St. Francis. Here he was given a dear understanding of his vocation. He founded here the Order of Friars Minor (1209), “establishing here his home”,
Transfer to hotel for check in. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour includes visits to the Church of St. Clare which houses her incorrupt body. One of the chapels contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church”.Afterwards, your will tour the Basilica of St. Francis built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper “ basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto Mass will be Celebrated in the Basilica of St. Francis – Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 6 Assisi / Loreto / Lanciano:
Early morning departure , first Loreto ( 170 km – 3 hrs drive) to visit The Basilica della Santa Casa. Recent studies of the stones and graffiti and other documents, purifying the tradition of the legendary elements, confirm and certify the authenticity of the stones. The shrine of Loreto has been for centuries and is still one of the places of pilgrimage of the most important of the Catholic world.
It has been visited by about 200 saints and blessed, here we celebrate Mass and continue to Lanciano. ( 2 hrs drive) check in. Dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 7 Lanciano / San Giovanni Rotondo:
After breakfast we check out and drive to the church of the Eucharistic Miracle The host that turned to flesh and the wine that turned to visible blood in the 8th century:”Let us devote ourselves entirely to knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we want to know Him. Since love is generally measured by knowledge, the deeper and more extensive the knowledge, the greater will be the love. And if our love is great, we will love Him equally in pain and consolation.” – Brother Lawrence
Mass will be Celebrated at Santuario del Miracolo Eucaristico
Continue towards south, 2,5 hours drive.Arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo in the late morning. for room allocation.
“O, Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners,and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,your tender mother and ours.,”
After break for lunch, visit the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Padre Pio lived and the modern Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church built in 2004 behind Santa Maria delle Grazie Church- Here we visit the crypta where the body of San Pio is preserved. Free time before walking down to our hotel for
dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 8 San Giovanni Rotondo / Rome:
This morning , after breakfast, we Celebrate Mass
and depart towards Rome…( 380 Km – 5,5 hrs drive)
Break for lunch on the way.
We arrive in a city nicknamed Caput Mundi (Capital of the World) and The Eternal City, not only because Rome has always been the hub of art, education, high culture and politics in the western world, but because it is also a spiritual capital and a powerful center of pilgrimage
Upon arrival we will enjoy a panoramic tour of Imperial Rome, We see Trajan’s market, Trajan’s Forum and Column, Arch of Constantine, House of Knights of Rhodes. Next, we proceed to the Roman Forum (the civic heart of the Roman Republic), the Coliseum ( outside view) Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 9 Rome: Papal Audience / Basilicas:
Early morning transfer to San Peter’s Square to attend the Wednesday Papal Audience
After a break for lunch, regain our bus for an afternoon tour of the Major Basilicas.The ceiling of the Basilica of St. Mary Major is said to be decorated with gold that Columbus brought back from the new world. This basilica, the largest in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother, is part of the day’s “Christian Rome” tour, and has beautiful Biblical mosaics, a marble floor, bell tower and one of the oldest shrines (containing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus) dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the oldest of the major basilicas and ranks first as the actual “parish church” of the Pope (Bishop of Rome). There we will learn about the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs). Tradition has it that these steps, said to be the staircase leading once to the praetorium of Pilate at Jerusalem, are sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during his Passion. Celebrate Mass Return to hotel for dinner and overnight (BD)
DAY 10 :
Vatican Museums / Fountains and squares Start the day with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums which house what can be described as the most important collections of art in the world. The history and awe surrounding the galleries and all the treasures they contain will truly transfix us. Highlights include The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms, and The Sistine Chapel where we will gaze on Michelangelo’s incredible masterpiece. We will also enter St. Peter’s Basilica which has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world and which has been described as the reason Rome is still the center of the civilized world. Tradition and historical evidence hold that St. Peter’s tomb is directly below the altar of this basilica Next we will have the chance to marvel at Bernini’s beautiful bronze canopy ,Michelangelo’s Blessed Mother holding her crucified son, known as the Pieta. And the tomb of Pope John Paul II, After a break for lunch, transfer to Trevi Fontain for a leisure afternoon …. Celebrate Mass Return to hotel for dinner and overnight (BD).
DAY 11 Departure:
Transfer to airport after breakfast, check in and fly back home