Duration: 10 Days
Dates: October 9, 2023 to October 19, 2023
Departure City: Newark, NJ (EWR)

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Detailed Itinerary

Monday, October 09 - Day 1: Depart for Rome.
We will make our way to the airport where we board our overnight flight. Our meals will be served on board.

Tuesday , October 10- Day 2: Welcome to Rome, Basilica of St. Paul
Outside the Walls, also known as "The Eternal City." Upon arrival at Rome’s airport, we will collect our luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the Arrivals Hall where we will be greeted by a tour escort . Transfer to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century. This Basilica is the burial place of St. Paul the Apostle. Here, we will enjoy time to have lunch in the Basilica’s cafeteria, buy some souvenirs, and visit the Basilica with a local guide. We will celebrate our welcome Mass. Transfer to the hotel in Rome and check in for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday October 11 - Day 3: Rome: Rome: Papal Audience - Trevi Fountain - Basilica of St. John the Lateran – Holy Stairs - Basilica of St. Mary Major.
We begin with the Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, we will visit the Trevi Fountain where we may enjoy some free time on our own for lunch. This afternoon, we will visit the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, the oldest of the four major basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Saints Peter and Paul. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome. Next, we will cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are the very steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on His way to trial during His Passion. The Stairs were brought to Rome by St. Helena in the fourth century. We will be able to ascend these stairs on our knees, in memory of Christ's agonizing Passion. We conclude our day with Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, a church dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. St. Mary Major reigns as the only Basilica that has kept its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches; it contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Thursday October 12 - Day 4: Appian Way – Catacombs- Imperial Rome - Vatican Museum - St. Peter's Basilica
This morning, we will enjoy an early breakfast before a short journey down the Appian Way; the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. We will then drive to the Imperial Rome area and make a stop to see the Colosseum (outside). We will then reach the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains to celebrate Mass. Break for lunch is next. This afternoon, we will visit the Vatican Museum. At the world-renowned museum, we will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe- inspiring relics. Additionally, we will observe the Tapestry, Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. Continue to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter's Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that we will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Final stop on our Vatican tour is at the tomb of Pope Benedict. We will continue on, making our way to a local restaurant for dinner. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Friday , October 13 - Day 5: Rome : Monte Cassino - San Giovanni Rotondo.
Following breakfast, we check out of our hotel and board our bus to enjoy the scenic route to Monte Cassino; passing through the Roman countryside which is known for its villas and vineyards. During the bus ride, our tour escort will share interesting information regarding the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of Italy. Monte Cassino, the principle monastery of the Benedictine Order, was founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. We celebrate Mass following the tour. There will be an opportunity to visit the gift shop before we board the bus to continue towards San Giovanni Rotondo, the hometown of St. Padre Pio. Upon arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo, we will check- in and enjoy dinner at the hotel. Between May and October we can attend the weekly Candlelight Procession at the Sanctuary of St. Pio. These processions are lit by candlelight and are guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, we will return to our hotel for a restful overnight.

Saturday October 14 - Day 6: San Giovanni Rotondo (View the Incorrupt Body of St. Padre Pio) - Monte Sant' Angelo – Lanciano
This morning, after breakfast, we will visit the Old Church. After Mass, we will tour the sanctuary. It is here that we will view the Crucifix, in front of which St. Pio received the stigmata. Visit the confessional from where St. Pio spent countless hours listening to confessions. Enjoy time at leisure to visit the New Church and the crypt where the body of St. Padre Pio is preserved. Next, we will board the bus and travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. At this grotto, St. Michael appeared to a Bishop to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following the visit to the grotto, we enjoy some free time. Continue to Lanciano, where we will spend the night. Dinner at the hotel.

Sunday October 15 - Day 7: Lanciano - Loreto – Assisi
After breakfast, we will celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Longinus. This Church is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the Miracle, there was a Brasilian monk who struggled with the belief in the real presence of the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. During Mass, the monk, with doubt in his voice, said the words of consecration and the bread turned into living flesh, and the wine transformed into live blood. Continue towards the Adriatic coast to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. More than 50 Popes have made pilgrimage to the house transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat. It was in this house that Jesus grew to manhood and the Holy Family lived. Continue to Assisi, and upon arrival, we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of his life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which we will visit. The first structure is the "Porziuncola," which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friars Minor (Franciscans). The second is the "Capella Del Transito," which is the place of St. Francis' death. During our time here, we will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where St. Francis retired to pray. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Monday October 17 - Day 8: Assisi - Gubbio - La Verna – Assisi
After breakfast, we will drive through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Gubbio (2.5 hour drive). Enjoy this medieval town with a visit of St. Francis Church, where we will be celebrating Mass. After Mass, we will visit a town that seems painted into the hill with a succession of backdrops against which towers and houses stand out, all embraced by walls. The town had been freed by St. Francis from a terrible and fierce wolf who afflicted it. After lunch on our own, continue to La Verna, (1.5 hour drive), the place where St. Francis had been seven times over the years, the last time being in 1224, when he received the stigmata. We will be able to pray in the Chapel of the Stigmata and the Basilica and the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels. We will also be able to admire the beautiful artworks of Andrea Della Robbia. Continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday , October 18 - Day 9: Assisi (St. Francis) – Cascia - Castel Gandolfo
As we visit the birthplace of St. Francis, we will be fascinated that the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry in the early 13th century. We will start our tour at the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters who followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by living a life of poverty and humility. From there, we will continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis and end with a tour of the St. Francis Basilica. Visit the tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life along with a few of his possessions. We will then enjoy some free time on our own for additional prayer, visit the many gift shops, or enjoy a nice lunch. After the free time, we will depart Assisi on a 1.5 hour trip to reach Cascia. Here, we will visit the monastery where St. Rita lived as a nun and died. We will visit the Basilica where her incorrupt body is preserved and celebrate Mass. We will then drive 3 hours to Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the popes. Check in at our hotel for the overnight. Our farewell dinner will be on the lake!

Wednesday October 19 - Day 10: Return home
Today we leave by motor coach and transfer to the Rome Fiumicino airport for our return flight home.

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change. *