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Including Milan, Padua, Bologna, Florence, Orvieto, Bolsena, Assisi, Cascia, Rome & The Vatican.
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Day 1 - USA / MILAN
We depart the U.S. for our overnight transatlantic flight to Italy. Meals are served on board. |
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Day 2 - MILAN
We arrive at Malpensa Airport in Milan and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours' tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We embark on a short panoramic tour of the premier monuments of this city where in the 4th century St. Ambrose was bishop and St. Augustine was converted by his preaching. We see the Castello Sforzesco and La Scala Theater, the most renowned opera house in the world. Next we visit the Duomo, the city's cathedral and the largest and most elaborate Gothic structure in Italy, and celebrate Mass. We continue on to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie where the fully restored Last Supper frescoe of Leonardo da Vinci graces a wall in the refectory where the Dominican friars once dined. Finally, we will visit the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan's finest art museum. Dinner and overnight in Milan. |
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Day 3 - VENICE / PADUA/BOLOGNA
Morning departure to Padua, made famous in part by the labors of Saint Anthony. Though born in Lisbon, Portugal, St. Anthony chose Padua as the center of his preaching mission. We visit the tomb of the blessed Saint and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Anthony. One of Padua's most beautiful places is the Prato della valle, a Piazza where we can stroll along the watercourse lined with tall statues and monuments. We'll also see the spectacular Basilica of Santa Giustina and the Botanical gardens. We continue on to Bologna for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 4 - BOLOGNA
Our day starts at the Church of the Madonna of St. Luke, with a panoramic view overlooking Bologna followed by a tour of Bologna's rich medieval and Renaissance monuments like the Piazza Maggiore (town square), Fontana (fountain) del Nettuno, and leaning towers of Garisenda and Asinelli. We'll visit San Giacomo Maggiore (St. James), which contains the tomb of the jurist, Antonio Bentivoglia. Here we find the Bentivoglio Chapel containing a "Virgin Enthroned" frescoe. Near the altar, we see the Madonna and Child enthroned, one of the most outstanding works of Francesco Francia. In the Cappella di Santa Cecilia (Chapel of St. Cecilia), we see more important frescoes by Francia and Lorenzo Costa. From the leaning towers of Garisenda and Asinelli we head up Via Santo Stefano to see four churches linked together. A church has stood on this site since the 5th century. The principal church is the 11th-century Church of the Crucifix (Chiesa di Crocifisso), with its external pulpit and crypt. To the left is the entrance to Santo Sepolcro, an octagonal temple dating from the 12th century and modeled after the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Under the altar is the tomb of St. Petronius, Bishop of Bologna in the 5th century. We enter the Romanesque church of Santi Vitale e Agricola. Here we will celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight in Bologna. |
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Day 5 - BOLOGNA/FLORENCE
This morning we depart Bologna for the great Renaissance city of Florence. We celebrate Mass at the church of St. Ambrose in Florence where, in the Chapel of the Miracle, a monstrance holds a vial of miraculous blood. According to tradition, in 1230 a priest did not properly dry the chalice after Mass and afterwards found blood instead of the consecrated wine he had carelessly left behind. Next, we'll make a visit to the old Dominican priory that features the frescoes of Fra' (Blessed) Angelico, including his famed Annunciation. Dinner and overnight in Florence. |
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Day 6 - FLORENCE
This morning, after celebrating Mass in one of the beautiful churches of the city, we have a guided tour of the main sights. We'll see the Cathedral with its magnificent dome of Brunelleschi, Giotto's elegant belfry and the Baptistery with Ghiberti's Gate to Paradise; then to the Galleria dell'Accademia where, among other art treasures we see Michelangelo's powerful David. The day's tour concludes with a drive up Piazzalle Michelangelo to enjoy a wonderful view of the city. Dinner and overnight in Florence. |
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Day 7 - FLORENCE / ORVIETO / BOLSENA / ASSISI
Our pilgrimage continues to the south through the Umbrian hills to Orvieto to visit the site of the Eucharistic miracle, including the Blood Stained Stones and the Sanctuary of St. Cristina in nearby Bolsena. We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral with its beautiful marble faáade, in the Piazza del Duomo amidst dazzling spires, mosaics and sculptures. The impressive structure took 33 architects, 90 mosaic artisans and 152 sculptors to bring to its current splendor. Continuing along the Via del Duomo we visit the Palace of the Popes and the National Archaeological Museum in the Palazzo Soliano. Next, we embark on an excursion to the 3,000 year-old underground city. In the afternoon we depart to Assisi where we have dinner and stay overnight. |
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Day 8- ASSISI
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. After Mass we explore the basilica with its wonderful frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto. We then visit the Basilica of St. Clare, Francis' friend and foundress of the Poor Clare nuns, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis in San Damiano. We go to San Damiano to pray in the place where Francis wrote the "Canticle of the Sun." Then we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built to enclose the tiny Church of the Porziuncola, St. Francis' first retreat and place of prayer and where he consecrated Clare as the Bride of Christ. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. |
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Day 9- ASSISI / CASCIA / ROME
Following breakfast, we depart Assisi for Cascia and head to St. Rita's Cask to celebrate Mass in the Basilica church dedicated to her and visit the adjacent convent that has changed very little since the days of St. Rita. We will visit all of the important sites including the Chapel with St. Rita's incorrupt body, site of the Eucharistic miracle, Rita's crucifix that emanated stigmata and the miraculous vine of St. Rita. In the afternoon we depart to Rome for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 10 - ROME - Papal Audience
This morning we go to the Vatican to celebrate Mass with the Holy Father at St. Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon we will visit the Mamertine Prison where Peter and Paul were held and many Christian martyrs died. We will also see the Colosseum, Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Imperial and Roman Forums and Constantine's Arch. Finally, we visit the remaining major basilicas of Rome, first at St. Mary Major, followed by a visit to St. John Lateran. The remainder of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 11 - ROME
This morning we celebrate Mass at the Catacombs of St. Calixtus. Then we visit one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. We see the Tapestries Gallery, the Belvedere with its marvelous statues. We also visit Raphael's Rooms, the Pincio Garden and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel that has been restored to its original beauty. The remainder of the afternoon is free. A panoramic sightseeing tour of "illuminated Rome by night" follows our dinner. Overnight at our hotel in Rome. |
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Day 12- ROME
This morning we begin by celebrating Mass at Santi Apostoli Church. Next we visit the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church with its tombs of Fra' Angelico and St. Catherine of Siena. We tour the Gesu Church, mother church of the Jesuit Order, which contains the remains of its founder St. Ignatius of Loyola. Then we visit the colorful, bustling outdoor market on Campo dei Fiori. We take a short journey across the Tiber River to the Church of St. Cecelia where we see the marble statute of the Saint, Cavalini's frescoe of the Last Judgment, and walk through ancient excavations. Our day concludes with some time to enjoy the quiet and removed Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 13- ROME / USA
After breakfast, we transfer to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in the suburb of Fiumicino for our return flight home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer each day to the Lord. |
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