12 Days_ a Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of St

7/28/2019 12 Days_ a Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of St

1/3

THE MOST TRUSTED NAMEIN RELIGIOUS GROUP TRAVEL

Serving the Catholic Community Since 1991

12 Days: A Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of St. Padre Pio

DAY 1: DEPART USA

We depart USA en route to Rome, with complimentary meals and beverages served

aloft.

DAY 2: ROME/ASSISI

We arrive into Rome and are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative who

will accompany us throughout our journey. We make our way to the tiny Umbrian town

of Assisi, which clings to the side of Mt. Subasio. We check-in to our hotel in Assisi for

dinner and the evening. (B,D)

DAY 3: ASSISI: BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS, CHIESA NUOVA, SAN RUFINO,

BASILICA OF ST. CLARE & SAN DAMIANO

Today we begin with Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. After Mass we enjoy a guidedtour of the Basilica. We continue with a walking tour of the city, visiting the major sites

associated with St. Francis and St. Clare, including the Chiesa Nuova, built over the

home of Francis' family and the Church of San Rufino, with the baptismal font of the

Saint.

This Afternoon we visit the Church of St. Clare, where St. Clare lies in repose. Here

we see the original 'San Damiano' crucifix that spoke to Francis, urging him to "rebuild

My Church." Francis interpreted the dream literally and went to work on repairing the

building at San Damiano. Only later did he understand the deeper meaning of the

dream. We continue to the Church of San Damiano. Here too we see the original 'San

Damiano Cross' that 'spoke' to Francis. Dinner is at our accommodations this

evening. (B, D)

DAY 4: ASSISI: CARCERI HERMITAGE & BASILICA OF ST. MARY OF THE

ANGELS

This morning we meet our local guide at the Piazza near St. Clare's Church and take

taxis up the winding road (buses cannot make these sharp turns) to the Eremo delle

Carceri (Hermitage), secluded some 2 1/2 miles outside the town of Assisi. Here we

celebrate Mass. This is where St. Francis often retired to pray. Here, in the midst of

the lush green forest and the singing birds, one gets a deep sense of the spirit of St.

Francis. We take some time for our own private reflections, before returning to the

town down below.

Home Why CTC? Plan Your Trip Where We Go Specialty Tours Contact Us

ays: A Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of St. Padre Pio | CTC http://www.gocatholictravel.com/12_Days_A_Pilgrimage_to_Ita

10/16/2012


2/3

After lunch on our own, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the

Porziuncola, built by St. Francis, and the Mother Church of the Franciscan Order.

Nearby is the site of Francis' death. Dinner and the evening are at our

accommodations. (B, D)

DAY 5: ASSISI/ LORETO/ LANCIANO/ SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

After breakfast we depart to Loreto to visit the Holy House of Loreto. Legend tells us

that in 1291 the Virgin Mary's House was miraculously transported by angels from

Nazareth to Croatia, then further transported here to Loreto in 1294. We find the Holy

House inside the Basilica. Here we celebrate Mass, then make our way to Lanciano,

site of the Miracle of the Eucharist that dates back to the eighth century. We arrive in

San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and the evening. (B, D)

DAY 6: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO: PADRE PIO VISIT & PIETRALCINA

EXCURSION

We begin with Mass at the Church of Santa Marie delle Grazie and visit Padre Pio's

tomb. We visit the church where Padre Pio received the stigmata plus Padre's most

famous charitable work; the Home for Relief and Suffering. We will see the

confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with the multitude of pilgrims,

directing them on their journey toward God. We then visit the Grotto of Michael theArchangel. Six different popes and St. Francis of Assisi have knelt in prayer at this

Grotto, seeking the protection of St. Michael. This is one of the most celebrated

shrines of early Christianity.

This afternoon we visit Pietralcina, the town where Padre Pio was born. We see his

native house and the Church of the Holy Family, with an adjacent convent and

museum dedicated to Padre Pio. We also visit the pilgrim's house which was built to

welcome pilgrims from around the world and the parish church, Santa Maria degli

Angeli, located in the center of the town. This was the church where Padre Pio

celebrated his first Mass. Dinner and overnight are at our accommodations. (B, D)

DAY 7: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTECASSINO / ROME

Our day begins as we head west to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino. In the

year 529 Benedict came here to start a monastery that was to become the cradle of

all western monasticism. Here Benedict drew up his famous RULE. Benedict died

here, forty days after his sister Scholastica. Both are buried here. We arrive in Rome

this evening where we enjoy a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 8: ROME: MAJOR BASILICAS, CATACOMBS & ST. PAUL

This morning we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome

dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Nearby we see the Basilica of St. John Lateran. It is

here that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. The night before, the

Pope had seen a man in a dream and the man was supporting the tottering building of St. John Lateran. The next day,

when Francis appeared before Pope Innocent, His Holiness recognized the face from the dream and consented to Francis'request. Nearby is the Scala Santa, purportedly the stairs that Christ climbed prior to his condemnation by Pontius Pilate.

This afternoon we visit the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, housing the tombs of many of the early popes. Then we visit the

Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, housing the Tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, affectionately known as the Apostle of

the Gentiles. Dinner is at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 9: ROME: ANCIENT ROME & LEISURE

This morning we visit at the Coliseum. Its real name was the Flavian Amphitheater, after emperors who built it in the first

century after Christ. Coliseum refers to the 'colossal' statue of Nero that at one time stood at the entrance. This afternoon is

at our leisure. Dinner is at our hotel. (B, D)


10/16/2012


3/3

DAY 10: ROME: PAPAL AUDIENCE & TOURIST SITES OF ROME; LEISURE TIME

This morning we transfer to the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall for the Papal Audience (subject to Holy Father's schedule).

This afternoon is at leisure so that we have some time to shop in the Eternal City. We might like to make a visit to the Trevi

Fountain and the Piazza Navona, plus of course the Spanish Steps. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 11: ROME: VATICAN MUSEUM & BASILICA OF ST. PETER

This morning we enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo's masterworks. We visit

the Basilica of St. Peter with our local guide. Here we see another of Michelangelo's works, the statue of the BlessedMother holding her crucified son. We know it as the Pieta. The afternoon is at our leisure and later we make our way

outside of Rome to Tivoli for a festive farewell dinner (B, D)

DAY 12: RETURN USA

This morning we transfer to the Rome airport for our return flight to the USA, with many fond memories nested in our hearts

for years to come. (B)

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this

itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.

Terms & Conditions | Optional Travel Protection Plan | (800

Copyright 2002-2012 - GoCatholicTravel.com. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies

referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.


10/16/2012

Documents

12 Days_ a Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of St