Awaken Catholic Pilgrimage to Italy with Nick De La Torre and Fr. Eric Schild

Depart this evening on an overnight flight from Detroit to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Add-on flights are available from most major airports upon request.

Welcome to Italy! Our professional English-speaking tour guide will meet us at the airport and assist with luggage and bus boarding. This morning’s drive takes us through the Umbrian hills to the magnificent hilltop town of Orvieto, famous for its wine and the Cathedral, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful. Take a funicular to the town where we see the dodecagon, a rare and unique 12-sided figure in the form of a bell tower, at Sant’ Andrea Church on Piazza della Repubblica. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, where we see the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. We enjoy lunch with a taste of Orvieto Classico wine, which this region is famous for. In the afternoon, continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (Special lunch with wine. D) Two nights in Assisi

Following breakfast, which is included each morning, we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels) to explore the Basilica, including the Porziuncola (the chapel where St. Francis started his order). Continue our pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Francis with a guided visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, where St. Francis’ body is entombed. The church is adorned with beautiful frescoes painted by masters of the high Middle Ages like Giotto and Cimabue. We celebrate Mass in one of the chapels before walking through the Franciscan sites in the medieval part of Assisi. We proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Our last stop of the day is the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, where we see the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Church of St. Mary Major. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

We depart for Loreto to see the Holy House of Nazareth transported here from the Holy Land, as tradition tells us. We view the most reproduced Madonna in the world, the Black Madonna of Loreto, and join in the celebration of Mass. Continue to Lanciano to see the Host of Flesh, which is still in one piece and has retained the dimensions of the original. The actual spot of the miracle is located beneath the present-day Tabernacle of the Church of St. Francis. The Eucharistic miracle is preserved in the second tabernacle found on the high altar. The host has now changed to Flesh and is contained in a silver monstrance. The wine, now changed to Blood, is contained in a crystal chalice. This is also a pilgrimage place for Our Lady of Mercy. We depart for San Giovanni to see the places associated with the life and work of St. Pio. Overnight and dinner at the hotel in San Giovanni. (B.D) (Two nights in San Giovanni)

This morning, we visit the Old Church to celebrate Mass. After Mass, we tour the sanctuary to see the crucifix, where St. Pio received the stigmata, and visit the confessional, where St. Pio spent innumerable hours listening to confessions. Next, we board the bus and travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. St. Michael appeared to a Bishop at this grotto to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following our visit to the grotto, we have time to explore independently. We enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the surrounding countryside on the way back to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arrival, we have time for devotion and reflection. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni.

We depart this morning for Pompeii. We visit the beautiful Rosary Basilica and celebrate Mass. (TBC). After lunch on our own, we enjoy a two-hour walking tour of the ancient city of Pompeii with a local guide. A thrilling archaeological journey unfolds as we walk through the ancient ruins buried in ashes after Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. We’ll discover the everyday life of Rome’s Imperial age at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Sorrento. Dinner is at the hotel. (B.D) ( 2 nights in Sorrento)

This morning, we speed across the bay to the beautiful Isle of Capri, an ancient retreat for Roman emperors and renowned for its beauty ever since. We celebrate Mass at Santo Stefano Capri. Ride the funicular to Capri Village for a guided visit to this pretty town. We also visit the Blue Grotto (weather permitting and an additional $25/pp) and enjoy free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Sorrento.

This morning we travel to Rome. Our first stop is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls before continuing to Tre Fontane Convent to see where St. Paul was beheaded. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Rome. (B.D) (4 nights Rome)

After breakfast, we see the Colosseum (inside visit) followed by a walking tour including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Ignatius Church to see the rooms of St. Ignatius, St. Monica Church, the tomb of St. Augustine and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where St. Catherine is buried. Our walking tour ends at Piazza Navona. After lunch on our own, we visit St. Mary Major Basilica, where we celebrate Mass, followed by a visit to St. John the Lateran and the Holy Stairs. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

This morning, we celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (TBC). Following Mass, we have time to explore the Basilica and visit the Scavi tunnels underneath the church. (TBC). The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome.

Today, we attend the General Papal Audience with Pope Francis at St Peter’s Square. Lunch and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Rome on our own or visit the Vatican Museum (be sure to purchase tickets online before your trip). Mass will be celebrated. Tonight’s dinner is at LaLocanda Ristorante, where we get to taste the famous and scarce Birra Nursa, the famous beer made by the monks of Norcia. Overnight in Rome. (B, Farewell dinner)

We are transferred to the Rome airport for our flight back to the USA.