Pilgrimage to Northern Italy with Fr. Stephen Page and Heather Tieman

We depart on an overnight flight to Milan. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Quotes for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request, starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions do not permit specific seating requests on flights. If seat confirmation is essential, we recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and the land-only package with us. Please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager with any questions.

We arrive at Milan’s Malpensa Airport and transfer to our centrally located four-star hotel. We visit the impressive Duomo di Milano, where the relics of St. Charles Borromeo are enshrined. The Duomo also houses a nail from the Passion of our Lord, originally sent by St. Helena to her son Constantine, who had it fashioned into a bridle for his horse. It came into St. Ambrose’s possession at the end of the fourth century and is now raised and lowered on a unique platform to be venerated. We gather this evening for a welcome dinner with wine and an opportunity to meet our fellow pilgrims. Overnight in Milan.

We visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Monastery of Oropa in the Sacred Mountains of Piedmont for Mass. After lunch at the Monastery restaurant, we stop in Pollone, where St. Pier Giorgio Frassati’s family lived, to see his childhood home and the church where he was baptized. In the afternoon, we drive to the village of Sordevolo, where we have time for dinner and to explore the museum and shops before taking our seats at the theater for the Passion Play. Staged by the local community since 1850 and last performed in 2015, this 90-minute production involves over 400 participants from the town and surrounding

We depart Biella this morning for Padua, arriving mid-afternoon. We walk to the Shrine of St. Anthony for a tour of the Basilica and Mass, then visit the magnificent Scrovegni Chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Dinner and a restful night await us at our hotel in Padua. Mass will be celebrated. Meals: B.D

We travel by private coach to Venice, approximately 45 minutes from Padua. A vaporetto takes us along the Grand Canal to the island of Venice where we explore La Serenissima on foot. We celebrate Mass at Santa Maria della Salute (TBC) and visit the Basilica of St. Mark, whose gilded Byzantine mosaics and sacred relics have drawn pilgrims for centuries. During free time, we recommend visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the Church of San Rocco, or the Church of San Zaccaria. Walk across the Rialto Bridge, wander the labyrinthine calli, and sample the city’s renowned cicchetti before returning to Padua by early evening. Dinner and overnight in Padua. Meals: B.D

This morning we depart Padua and drive to Assisi, the city of birds and silence. Upon arrival, we celebrate Mass and visit St. Mary of the Angels Church, built directly over the site where the Franciscan order was first established and where St. Francis died. We continue to our hotel in Assisi for dinner and overnight. Meals: B.D

We visit 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. At the Sanctuary of the Spoliation and the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis in the Church of St. Mary Major. We celebrate Mass at St. Francis Basilica. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore Assisi on your own. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Assisi. Meals: B.D

We depart Assisi for Rome, stopping at the hilltop town of Orvieto to celebrate Mass and visit the Cathedral, which houses the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. After exploring the town, we enjoy a wine tasting and a delicious lunch at a beautiful local winery in the Italian countryside. We arrive in Rome in the afternoon, settle into our hotel, and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Rome.

We visit St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Following lunch, we visit the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon we visit St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs, concluding the day at the Jesuit Church of Gesù. The evening is at leisure to explore the historic center on your own. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B.L

We arrive early at St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Angelus Blessing. After lunch, we proceed to the city center for a walking tour of Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s magnificent Four Rivers Fountain stands, and then continue to the Pantheon. Along the way, we pass Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only true Gothic church in Rome, housing the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena, and celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Augustine. The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are nearby for those wishing to explore further. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B.L

Today we have the day at leisure to enjoy all that Rome has to offer, visit a museum, stroll the streets of the city, or do some last-minute shopping. Mass will be celebrated in the morning. Tonight, we gather one last time to enjoy our farewell dinner accompanied by wine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. Meals: B. Special Dinner

Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a journey that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the airport for our return flight home to Chicago. Mass will be celebrated. Meals: B