In the Footsteps of St. Francis in Rome and Assisi with Fr. John Paul Lewis - 26MI06ITJL-SH

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Upgrades to premium economy and business class are available upon request. Group air does not permit us to book individual seats on the flights. If this feature is important to you, please book your own air and reserve the land-only portion of this trip with us.

After we arrive in the “Eternal City” of Rome, we will be met by our tour manager at the airport and drive north, stopping in the walled town of Orvieto. In the 13th century, in nearby Bolsena, a priest doubted the Eucharistic Presence during Mass, and the host turned to real flesh and the wine to real blood during the consecration. The priest brought the blood-stained Corporal to Pope Urban in Orvieto, and it is now kept in a special reliquary in the Basilica. It was also in Orvieto where Pope Urban IV called for a worldwide Feast of Corpus Christi. After celebrating Mass, we continue our drive to Assisi through the beautiful Umbrian countryside. This town welcomes us in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare and will be our home for the next four nights. (D)

On our first full day in Italy, we will witness where the power of the Eucharist turned away an army. The invading Saracen army was about to attack the Convent of San Damiano, where St. Clare lived with her nuns in 1241. Even though bedridden, St. Clare got up, held the Blessed Sacrament in the air, and saw the advancing army flee in terror, establishing “The Miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi.” Also, in the convent, we will visit the chapel where Jesus spoke to St. Francis from the crucifix. Afterwards, we visit the Basilica of St. Clare, which holds the famous San Damiano Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. This is also where the golden locks of St. Clare’s hair and St. Francis’ poor patched tunic are kept. We walk across town to the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis, where we celebrate Mass. Then, we visit Monte Subasio to see L’Eremo delle Carceri (the Carceri Hermitage), the Saint’s favourite retreat. There are many caves here where St. Francis and his followers retreated for seclusion and prayer. Here we also have time for personal prayer and devotion. Overnight in Assisi. (B.D)

We drive north to Cortona this morning to visit St. Francis’ cell and his brothers’ dormitory. Continue to La Verna, a small monastery in the mountains in the region of Tuscany. Legend says the rocky outcrop on which the La Verna Monastery stands was split by an earthquake when Christ died on the Cross. This is where St. Francis received the stigmata and is one of the most inspirational places in Italy. We see the cave that was St. Francis’ Cell, the chapel over the site where he received the stigmata, and the entire beautiful monastery complex, which the monks and nuns of the Franciscan order still run. We celebrate Mass in this peaceful spot. Overnight in Assisi. (B.D)

This morning, we take a day trip to Siena, home of St. Catherine. Our first stop, and a highlight of our tour, will be the Basilica of St. Francis, where we’ll venerate the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena: hosts that have remained incorrupt since 1730. Then we’ll celebrate Mass at St. Dominic’s, St. Catherine of Siena’s parish church, where she attended daily Mass and went into ecstasy. Adjacent to the church is her home, which we’ll visit to see the cell where she fasted and prayed. Afterwards, we stroll the ancient Gothic streets, which converge on the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Enjoy some free time in this mystical walled city before returning to Assisi. (B.D)

This morning, after we check out from the hotel, we will celebrate Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica. After Mass we tour the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the Porziuncola, an ancient chapel called the” Blessed Virgin Mother of God”. Then we will visit the Rivo Torto church, once a vacant animal shed where Francis and his early companions found shelter. An irascible peasant and his donkey evicted Francis and his followers. These early friars then begged the use of St. Mary of the Angels church in Assisi, paying an annual rent of a basket of fish. Nearby is the site where Francis surrendered to “Sister Death.” Depart for Rome, stopping first at the medieval town of Greccio. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a group lunch. The town is set on a beautiful mountaintop, famous for its cool summer climate and mineral springs. However, it is even more renowned for its connections with St. Francis of Assisi and is the birthplace of the Christmas crèche. On Christmas Night, 1223, St. Francis led shepherds to the top of a nearby hill, where they gathered in a stable sheltering an ox and a donkey. According to legend, the Baby Jesus miraculously appeared in the manger. On this spot, the Franciscan convent of Greccio was built, and the Chapel of the Crib was erected in 1228, the year St. Francis was canonized. Then, continue south to Rome, where we will check into our hotel. (B.L.D)

A full day of exploring the Eternal City begins with Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, at the tomb of St. John Paul II (TBC), which beckons us into its interior through the arms of Bernini’s Colonnade. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel renovated by St. John Paul II. Our guide then takes us through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, with astonishing frescoes painted by Michelangelo. We continue to visit the Church of San Francesco a Ripa, which is located in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. This is the first church in Rome dedicated to Saint Francis, where he stayed during his visit. You can see the cell where he slept and the rock he used as a pillow. It is also the burial place of several notable Franciscans, including Saint Charles of Sezze and Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, whose tomb is adorned with one of Bernini’s masterpieces. It is the Ecstasy of Blessed Ludovica. The afternoon is a time to explore Rome on your own. You may wish to visit some of the many museums in the city (tickets can be purchased online) or the Spanish Steps. Dinner is at leisure. (B)

We will attend the weekly Papal Audience this morning, where the Holy Father blesses us. Our walking tour of Rome includes a visit to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Piazza Navona, and the Gesu Church, where our tour ends. We have a chance to see The Baroque Machine by Andrea Pozzo at 5:30 PM. Mass will be celebrated at Gesu Church (TBC) .This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner, including wine, in a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B. Special dinner)

We visit St. Paul Outside the Walls this morning to celebrate Mass. The Basilica houses the remains of St. Paul underneath its main altar. Nearby, we visit the Tre Fontane Convent to see the spot where St. Paul was beheaded. In the afternoon, our sightseeing includes visits to St. Mary Major Basilica, one of the world’s oldest and most important shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then go to St. John Lateran, where St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to permit the beginning of the Franciscan Order. The night before, the Pope had seen a man in a dream 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’s request, and the nearby Scala Santa, which, according to tradition, was the staircase that Jesus climbed to be judged by Pontius Pilate. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. Overnight in Rome. (B.L.D)

This morning, we visit the catacombs of St. Callisto while driving along the Appian Way and stopping at the chapel of Domino Quo Vadis. We celebrate Mass at the Catacombs. Continue our day to the beautiful town of Castel Gandolfo, where the Papal summer residence is located. We enjoy a visit to the Papal Gardens and farm, driving through the lush scenery in small group buses. Following the visit, we have time to explore the town of Castel Gandolfo and enjoy lunch before returning to Rome. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Today, we say “Ciao” to Italy and transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B)