|
 |
|
"Dolce Amore"
Sweet Love...of the Saints |
|
|
|
|
|
The Saints are souls who see God and are with God in Heaven. Living and acting according to God’s
will, that is their sweet love, their sweet devotion, their prayerful lives which have carried out fruitful apostolates continuously
helping countless souls through their intercession.
On this spiritual journey in Italy, come feel the mystical atmosphere they have left behind in the sacred stones within their
small towns where you have been called to be a witness. "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are
called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) |
|
|
|
|
|
Rome, Siena, Assisi, Cascia, San Giovanni Rotondo,
Monte San Angelo and Pietrelcina |
|
|
|
|
|
12 Days - Italy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Itinerary |
|
|
|
|
Day 1: |
|
Depart the USA on an international flight bound for Rome. Meals will be served on our
overnight flight. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 2: |
|
Upon arrival in Italy, we are welcomed in the "Eternal City" by our Tour Director,
who will transfer us to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 3: |
|
Our day starts with a visit to the Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the Christian
world, built over the tomb of St. Peter. Inside this wonderful piece of architecture is the Pieta,
an emotionally-moving masterpiece of the Madonna and Christ, and Michelangelo’s earliest marble sculpture. Papal Audience (on Wednesdays)
or Papal Blessing (on Sundays) to be arranged pending the Pope’s schedule. We then continue to the Vatican Museum, with its priceless
collection of art and treasures, and the Sistine Chapel with its amazing, unique ceiling, one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements.
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this fascinating city, both ancient and modern, on our own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 4: |
|
Enjoy a panoramic tour of the classic Roman Empire (the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch
of Constantine, Circus Maximus and more) on the way to one of the catacombs where the early Christians were buried. In the afternoon,
we’ll visit the three major basilicas: St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls,
time permitting. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 5: |
|
After breakfast, depart for the medieval walled city of Siena. Stroll the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares where the Palio
is held. Siena is the birthplace of the Dominican mystic, St. Catherine of Siena. Visit the Basilica of St. Dominic, where her incorrupt
head is kept. Later, we journey to Assisi, spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 6: |
|
Assisi owes its fame to our beloved St. Francis, whose dedication to humility and charity
became the foundation of the Franciscan Order, and to St. Clare, who along with St. Francis made a significant contribution to the past
and present of the city. We will see many famous sites, including the 13th century Basilica of San Francesco and the Basilica of Santa
Chiara, on our walking tour. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 7: |
|
Enjoy a day excursion to Cascia, the small town that earned its fame because of St. Rita,
a married woman, mother, widow, nun, mystic, stigmatist and also known as the Saint of the Impossible. Her incorrupt body now lies in
repose in the Basilica, where we will be celebrating Mass. We may also view the bloodstained pages of the breviary which cradle the
miraculous Host, leaving a perfect outline of Christ’s face. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 8: |
|
Today, we will continue onward from Assisi to San Giovanni Rotondo. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa
Maria delle Grazie) which houses the tomb of Santo Pio. Here you can also see his confessional, his cell, the crucifix from which he
received the sacred stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, all carefully preserved and labeled. Behind Santa Maria delle
Grazie is the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church, which was completed in 2004; it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship and 30,000
people standing outside. The shrine also includes a modern Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) on the forested hillside above. Dinner and
overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 9: |
|
The road unwinds as we travel to Monte SantAngelo. Visit the Sanctuary of St. Michael the
Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo), a sacred cave and popular Catholic shrine. Here the Archangel Michael is said to have
appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 AD and consecrated the shrine himself. We return to San Giovanni Rotondo and then continue to Assisi, which
is spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 10: |
|
We journey back to Rome today via Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio, who was born as
Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 11: |
|
A day to enjoy Rome on one's own. Visit some of the many churches and ancient archaeological
sites in this eternal city. Overnight in Rome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day 12: |
|
We bid farewell to Italy as we depart for the airport to catch our flight back to the U.S.
for a same day arrival. "Ciao Italia!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
