Shrines & Eucharistic Miracles of Italy

Day 1: Depart USA
Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2: Arrival in Rome
Arrive at  Fiumicino International Airport - Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, where you proceed to Baggage Claim and then to the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will be greeted by our local Trinity Tour Travels guide and driver, who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. Depending on arrival time, our journey begins at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where a Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated, followed by a lovely Italian lunch in the basilica’s café. The basilica also houses a gift shop perfect for the purchase of affordable religious items to be blessed by the pope the following day. We visit the burial site of St. Paul and visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, where tradition holds St. Peter met the Risen Christ asking, “Lord, where are you going?”  Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.”  What makes this location particularly amazing is that Jesus is said to have left behind a marble slab with His footprints, which have been venerated by pilgrims for centuries. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Rome - Papal Audience  |  Vatican Museums  |  St. Peter's Basilica
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated at 9 a.m. each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring special medals, rosaries and other religious items to be blessed. Following the pope’s themed speech, prayers and homily, he offers a blessing! Lunch before a tour of the magnificent Vatican Museum (Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel) and we end the day at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we visit Michelangelo's Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II prior to a walk through the basilica, which ends underground at the Tomb of St. Peter. Mass this day at church near St. Peter Square. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 4: Rome - St. Mary Major  |  St. John Lateran  |  Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Following breakfast at the hotel, Mass is celebrated at St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas. Under the high altar of this basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity, encased in a crystal reliquary. Pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. St. Mary Major also houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who translated the Bible into Latin. St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538 at St. Mary Major, also known for "The Miracle of the Snow." We visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, another papal basilica, which houses several relics of the Passion of Jesus (including a rusted nail from the Crucifixion, pieces of the True Cross, thorns from the crown, and the sign over His Cross) and the doubting finger of St. Thomas in a reliquary. We visit the papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, known as the "Mother of all Churches in the World," and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest of the four papal basilicas.  Larger than life, magnificent sculptures of the Twelve Apostles (St. Paul takes the place of St. Matthias) are showcased in this basilica. From here, we cross the street to visit the Scala Sancta (the "Holy Stairs"), the marble staircase (encased in wooden ones), which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. It is on these stairs that Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on His way to trial during His Passion. The marble stairs are visible through small openings in the wooden risers and at some spots, pilgrims may touch the marble through these openings as they climb the stairs (traditionally on knees). Leisure afternoon in the city center visiting the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Navona Square. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 5: Monte Cassino  |  San Giovanni Rotondo
After breakfast, we board the bus for a beautiful, scenic drive from Rome southeast to Monte Cassino, site of the Roman town of Casinum. Here we stop to see the Abbey of Monte Casino, which is the first house of the Benedictine Order, established by St. Benedict of Nursia around 529. We continue our journey east to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) for many decades until his death in 1968. Upon arrival, we check into the hotel and enjoy free time prior to Mass at Santa Maria delle Grazie, Padre Pio's beloved church. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 6: San Giovanni Rotondo  |  Monte Sant'Angelo
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will tour Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio and return to Santa Maria delle Grazie, to visit the church and confessional where Padre Pio committed himself to hours of listening to confessions as he was incredibly devoted to the sacrament. It was said that he could read souls, and pilgrims have long been known to leave tiny papers with intentions near his confessional. At this shrine, we will also see the incorrupt body of this great saint, along with his living quarters. Next, we will board the bus to travel along the beautiful area known as the Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant'Angelo (grotto of St. Michael), where St. Michael is said to have appeared in the years 490, 492 & 493. Mass will be celebrated in the grotto this day. Lunch and free time in this charming and quaint area prior to returning to the hotel. This evening, as scheduling allows, we attend the weekly 9 p.m. candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio following dinner at the hotel. Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 7: San Giovanni Rotondo  |  Lanciano  |  Loreto  |  Assisi
We depart for Assisi early this day, following breakfast at the hotel. We stop in the town of Lanciano to visit the Church of St. Longinus, the site of what many believe is the greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. In the 8th century, a monk offering Mass was said to be plagued by doubts regarding transubstantiation. At pronouncing the words of consecration, the host was miraculously changed into flesh and the wine into blood. Since that time, countless pilgrims have visited to venerate the monstrance which contains the miracle. Lunch and Mass here this day.
We reboard the bus and continue to the magnificent Marian Shrine in Loreto, Basilica della Santa Casa. Here within the basilica, we visit the beautiful Madonna of Loreto and Holy House of Nazareth. Tradition maintains that this is the small house where "The Word Became Flesh," and where Mary was born, raised and  greeted by the angel Gabriel. Furthermore, it is said that this is where Mary proclaimed the Magnificat, the home in which Jesus was raised, and where the Holy Family lived. According to tradition, angels carried the Holy House to its current location to keep it safe. We travel to the pristine city of Assisi later this day (home of St. Francis and St. Clare) and check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 8: Assisi  
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we stroll to the huge 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis, which contains a series of frescoes depicting his life as well as houses several of the saint's personal possessions. Here, we also visit the final resting place of this humble saint.  En route to the main square in Assisi, we visit the birthplace of St. Francis. We stop to tour the Basilica di Santa Chiara (St. Clare), the dearest friend of St. Francis, who founded the Order of the Poor Clares. Here, we see many of her relics and possessions as well. Mass this afternoon. We visit the Santuario della Spogliazione, to visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis (first millennial to be declared Blessed). We continue our walking tour of this picturesque town and have a brief time for personal prayer, shopping and lunch. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. 

Day 9: Assisi  |  La Verna |  Assisi
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we ride through the beautiful surrounding areas of Assisi to visit the deeply spiritual town of La Verna. We visit the Sanctuary of La Verna, where St. Francis received the stigmata in 1224.  Mass is celebrated here this day. A memorable day trip with charming Italian countryside along the way. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 10: Orvieto  |  Castel Gandolfo  |  Frascati
Following breakfast, we board the bus to travel outside the walls of Assisi to visit Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels). It is comprised of two sections: the "Porziuncola," where St. Francis first understood his vocation and renounced the world to live in poverty, and the "Capella del Transito," the small room where St. Francis died in 1226. Mass will be celebrated here this day. We begin our travel back south to Orvieto this afternoon. The city sits on top of a volcanic rock overlooking the valley below. We visit the site of the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto, which took place in 1263. The stained corporal bearing the spots of Precious Blood is displayed in a golden reliquary in the Chapel of the Corporal. We travel to visit the "Pope's City," Castel Gandolfo. This is the site of the Pontifical Palace, which houses the Pope's summer residence. We visit the Augustinian Church of St. Thomas of Villanova in the heart of Castel Gandolfo. Built by Bernini in the mid-1600s, it is well known for its gloriously designed golden dome and intricate stucco statues.   We end the day in  Frascati, known for its white wine with the same name, as well as its historical and art centers. A nice time for winding down our pilgrimage and preparing for departure from Rome the next day. Overnight in Frascati with an Italian Farewell Dinner.

Day 11: Heartfelt Farewell
Following our final breakfast at the hotel, we bid farewell to this beautiful and holy part of the world and travel back to Rome (Fiumicino International Airport) for our departure to the USA. Ciao Italia!