Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Italy with Sandra Jean

We depart on an overnight flight from to Rome. Dinner and breakfast are served on the flight.

Welcome to Italy! Upon arrival in the Eternal City, we are greeted by our tour escort. We stop at St. Paul Outside the Walls for a visit and to celebrate Mass. This is the first of the four Holy Doors we will walk through. Nearby we visit Tre Fontane Convent, where St. Paul was beheaded. The rest of the day is at leisure to become acclimated to a new time zone. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and our first overnight in Rome. (D)

This morning, we enjoy a Christian Rome Tour, starting at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where we celebrate Mass. Under the high altar of the Basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity or Bethlehem Crypt, where we see the crystal reliquary said to contain wood belonging to the Sacred Cradle of Jesus. St. Mary Major represents the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. Here we walk through the second Holy Door of our pilgrimage. Our journey continues to the nearby Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, where we see relics of the true cross and a copy of the Holy Shroud. The Basilica represents the Passion of Jesus, together with the Holy Stairs. According to an ancient Christian tradition, Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine, had the stairs transported from Pontius Pilate’s Palace in Jerusalem to Rome. It is believed that Jesus climbed these stairs several times on the day he was sentenced to death. Thus, they are known as the Scala Pilati or Scala Sancta (Pilate’s Stairs or the Holy Stairs). Our last basilica of the day is the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. Inside the Basilica is the Apse Mosaic, which reminds us of the symbols of Baptism and the Holy Spirit, which we see as we walk through the third Holy Door. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B.D)

This morning we are transferred to St. Peter’s Square, where we attend the 10:30 AM Mass, followed by an Angelus blessing by the Holy Father. Following lunch, we walk to Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where we see the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. Dinner and overnight in Rome (B.L.D)

Early this morning, we celebrate Mass (TBC) at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we walk through the fourth Holy Door. We explore the Basilica, which is the largest church in Christendom, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the Catholic Church which pilgrims come to from around the world, St. Peter’s is the grandest of the world’s churches. Our visit is with headsets so each pilgrim can benefit from hearing a clear explanation of what they are seeing at their own pace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Rome on your own, perhaps visit the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps or do some shopping. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Today our motor coach takes us on a drive to Assisi, the city of birds and silence. On the way, we stop in Orvieto to visit the magnificent Duomo and view the Miracle of the Eucharist of Bolsena. We have a taste of wine from this region during lunch at a local restaurant. Next, proceed to Santa Maria of the Angels Church and celebrate Mass (TBC) before checking into our hotel in Assisi for dinner and overnight (B.L.D)

This morning we explore the Basilica of St. Clare and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Our last stop of the day is the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, where we can see the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Church of St. Mary Major. Then we visit the Basilica of St. Francis, first the upper Basilica with Giotto’s frescoes representing the life of St. Francis, then the lower Basilica and the Tomb of St. Francis. Mass will be celebrated in one of the chapels of the magnificent Basilica. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B.D)

Following the buffet breakfast, we depart for Siena, where we see the famous Piazza del Campo, known for its horse races. We visit the Cathedral of St. Dominic, where we celebrate Mass and see the holy relics of St. Catherine of Siena. Our drive takes us through the magnificent countryside of Tuscany. Enjoy the view of the cyprus trees and rolling hills before we arrive at a typical vineyard for a wine tasting and a beautiful lunch. Following our vineyard tour, we drive to Florence, where the city of visual splendor awaits us. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Overnight in Florence. (B. Special lunch)

After breakfast, we explore Florence, graced with majestic monuments, magnificent churches, and unparalleled works of art. The morning tour of Michelangelo’s city includes a visit to the Accademia to see the Statue of David, “Gates of Paradise” at the Baptistry, the Duomo (outside views), Giotto’s Bell Tower, Signoria Square, and Santa Croce Church, where we celebrate Mass. We stop at the famous San Lorenzo market for lunch, where we can taste some of the best local food. The rest of the day and dinner are at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Florence. (B)

We board our motor coach and travel to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower and the Baptistry next door (outside views). After lunch on our own, we drive to Padua to see the Basilica of St. Anthony, where we celebrate Mass. In the late afternoon, settle into our hotel in Padua. (B.D)

Enjoy a morning in Venice, including a visit of St. Mark’s Cathedral. Here we celebrate Mass and see the Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. In the afternoon, we board our motor coach and head to Schio, where we see the remains of St. Josephine Bakhita, which Pope John Paul II canonized on Oct. 1, 2000. Visit the church of Holy Sepulcher, see the Institute and return to Padua for our farewell dinner in a local restaurant. (B.Special dinner)

After breakfast, we are transferred to Venice Airport for our flights home. (B.)