Day 1 - Monday
USA / ITALY
Today we depart the USA for Italy.  Meals are served on board.

Day 2 - Tuesday
ROME / ORVIETO / BOLSENA / SIENA
Upon our arrival in Rome, we depart north 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 facade, in the Piazza del Duomo amidst dazzling spires, mosaics and sculptures.  The impressive structure took over thirty 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.  We continue on to the beautiful, medieval town of Siena for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Wednesday
SIENA / ASSISI
This morning we awaken in the quiet hometown of St. Catherine.  We visit the historic center of Siena, second only to Florence in its contribution to the Renaissance.  We also visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria in Provenzano and the see the Cross from which St. Catherine received the stigmata.  We celebrate Mass in the magnificent dark-green and white striped Cathedral.  We depart Siena for Assisi.  Upon our arrival in Assisi we 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.

Day 4 - Thursday
ASSISI / CASCIA / MACERATA / LORETO
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 depart Assisi for Loreto, stopping in Cascia along the way.  Arriving in Cascia we visit the Basilica church dedicated to St. Rita 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.  Next we depart for Macerata where we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, scene of another Eucharistic miracle, where in the 14th century, another priest torn by the doubt that Christ was really present in the Eucharist, saw the host bleed into the chalice and some of the blood spilled onto the corporal.  Finally, we head to Loreto, one of Italy's leading pilgrimage sites.  We visit the Sanctuary of the Holy House, where local tradition says angels moved the house that had been the Holy Family’s home in Nazareth.  Dinner and overnight in Loreto.  Next we move on to Lanciano where another priest, much like those at Macerata and Bolsena, was doubtful about the Real Presence.  During his celebration of Mass, the host turned into flesh and the wine into blood.  Dinner and overnight in Lanciano.

Day 5 - Friday
LORETO / LANCIANO / SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO
After breakfast, we depart for Lanciano where another priest, much like those at Macerata and Bolsena, was doubtful about the Real Presence.  During his celebration of Mass, the host turned into flesh and the wine into blood.  Next we continue south and enter the Region of Puglia to reach San Giovanni Rotondo, one of the most renowned pilgrimage destinations in Europe because of the extraordinary life and reputation for sanctity of the Franciscan Padre Pio da Pietralcina, who lived, labored, and in 1968 died here.  We have Mass in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Padre Pio lived and afterwards hear about his life and works from the Franciscan friars, then visit the institutions he left behind.  The rest of the day is free for relaxation and reflection.  Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni.

Day 6 - Saturday
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO / MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Following Mass this morning at San Giovanni, we go to nearby Monte Sant'Angelo, one of the most ancient of Christian shrines, dedicated to the Archangel Michael who appeared here in the 5th and 8th centuries.  We return to San Giovanni for free time to explore the home of Padre Pio and reflect on his life.  Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni.

Day 7 - Sunday
POMPEII / SORRENTO
We move across the Italian Peninsula to Pompeii on the Mediterranean Sea and pray in the famous shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.  After offering Mass in this beautiful shrine, we continue with a guided visit to the ruins of the Roman city destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius.  Following lunch we proceed to Sorrento on the Bay of Naples, one of Italy's loveliest resorts with its captivating views of Capri and of majestic volcanic Mount Vesuvius.  Dinner and overnight in Sorrento.

Day 8 - Monday
NAPLES / MONTE CASSINO / ROME
After breakfast, we depart for Naples where we stroll through the streets of the historical center, an open stage for the colorful, pulsating life of this city in the sun.  We see the city’s most beautiful churches beginning in the Piazza del Gesu’, then we continue to the Church of Santa Chiara and its Chiostro delle Clarisse, and on to the Cappella San Severo. Then along Spaccanapoli we pass the Church of Sant’Angelo a Nilo and the Renaissance Palazzo Marigliano before arriving at the Duomo of San Gennaro.  After lunch, we depart for Rome with a stop in Monte Cassino to visit the Benedictine Abbey set high atop a mountain.  The abbey was founded by Saint Benedict of Norcia in the 6th century.  St. Benedict established his first monastic community here.  The abbey has been destroyed four times, most recently in World War II, but still serves as home to the Benedictines.  We continue to Rome where we enter the Eternal City via the ancient Appian Way, the traditional pilgrims’ route followed by Peter and Paul.  Following dinner, we participate in a panoramic sightseeing tour of “illuminated Rome by night”.  Overnight in Rome.

Day 9 - Tuesday
ROME
This morning we visit the Vatican and see a young Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the deeply moving, magnificent Pieta.  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 our day is free.  Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 10 – Wednesday
ROME – Papal Audience
This morning we arrive at the Vatican for an Audience with the Holy Father.  Following our time with Pope Benedict XVI, we make a visit to St. John Lateran, the Pope’s cathedral church where relics of both Peter and Paul remain under the main altar.  Next we cross the street from St. John Lateran and visit the church of the Scala Santa.  Here we see the Holy Staircase of 28 marble steps (now covered in wood) which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem and brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century.  Here we may climb the steps on our knees in memory of Christ’s Passion.  Our day ends with a visit to St. Mary Major, the most important church in the world devoted to Our Lady.  We celebrate Mass here where Mass has been celebrated every day since the 5th century and spend some time in personal contemplation and prayer.  We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - Thursday
ROME
This morning we visit the Colosseum, Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Imperial and Roman Forums and Constantine’s Arch.  Next we visit St. Paul’s Outside the Walls where the Apostle was martyred and is buried.  Here we celebrate Mass.  The remainder of our day will be spent visiting the churches of San Clemente and its Crypt and also San Croce in Gerusalemme, which house pieces of the True Cross.  Next we enjoy some free time for shopping prior to returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 - Friday
ROME / USA
Following breakfast, we transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport for our flight home.  Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.

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