Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope

This afternoon we depart Philadelphia for our transatlantic flight to Rome. During the flight enjoy dinner, movies, and breakfast before

our morning arrival in Italy.

Ciao and welcome to Italy! Upon our morning arrival we’ll proceed through passport control and pick-up our luggage. We then meet our

tour escort and begin our journey to Assisi, the beautiful medieval town of St. Francis and St. Clare. We’ll celebrate Mass before we check

into our hotel. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Assisi. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

After breakfast we begin our day exploring the lives of two of the most famous Franciscan saints. We begin with a visit to the 13th century

Basilica and see the magnificent frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis. We will visit the tomb of St. Francis and view many of his

possessions. Then we continue to the Church of St. Clare, founder of the order of Poor Clares, and visit her tomb and incorrupt body.

We’ll also visit the tomb of Blessed (soon to be Saint) Carlos Acutis. Celebrate Mass and break for lunch before we continue to St. Mary

of the Angels Basilica, home of the Porziuncola, where St. Francis founded his Order of Friars Minor, and the “Capella del Transito”, the

place of St. Francis’ death. By visiting both the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, we can obtain the Jubilee

Indulgence. Dinner and overnight Assisi.

This morning, we celebrate Mass before we depart Assisi and continue to Terni. Visit the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary where St.

Anastasius was the Cathedral’s second Bishop and where he is also buried. The tabernacle holds relics of the Blood of Christ. We will

celebrate Mass and have time for lunch before we leave for Ortona and the Basilica of St. Thomas the Apostle. The Basilica was originally built over the site of an ancient Roman temple and is home to the relics of St. Thomas. The urn containing his bones is under the altar. Dinner and overnight in San Vito Chietino at our seaside hotel.

Enjoy breakfast before we depart for Lanciano and view the Eucharistic Miracle that took place in the 8th century when the Host changed

into flesh of Our Lord. We’ll celebrate Mass before we continue to Termoli for a lunch break. After lunch we visit The Cathedral of St.

Mary of the Purification where the skull of St. Timothy, who was a disciple of St. Paul, was discovered in 1945. Continue to San

Giovanni Rotondo for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to St. Padre Pio for over 50 years. We’ll visit the sanctuary, the

old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. See the confessional where Padre Pio heard a multitude of confessions. After lunch visit St. Michael’s cave and celebrate Mass. This amazing and beautiful cave was consecrated by St. Michael

himself in 490. Continue to Bari for dinner and overnight.

We begin our day with a tour of Bari which includes a visit to the Basilica of St. Nicholas and the relics of St. Nicholas, who is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession. Celebrate Mass before we begin our

journey to Naples. Enjoy the beautiful Italy countryside with a stop for lunch along the way. Dinner and overnight in Naples.

After breakfast we’ll celebrate Mass before we travel the Amalfi coast to the scenic town of Sorrento. Enjoy a free day in Sorrento or take

the optional excursion to Capri. The optional day excursion to Capri includes a ferry ride to the Isle of Capri, a full day guided tour, a rowboat to the Blue Grotto (weather and time permitting), lunch, visit to Ana Capri, the highest point of the Island and the beautiful church of San Michele. (See registration form for more information) Dinner and overnight in Naples.

This morning, we have a full day tour of the Amalfi coast. We depart Naples and drive along the scenic coastline. Take a tour of Amalfi

and visit the spectacular Duomo Di Amalfi, a medieval cathedral dedicated to St. Andrew whose relics are kept there. We’ll also visit the

Cloister of Paradise and the beautiful frescoes. Celebrate Mass before we take a boat ride along the Amalfi coast to Maiori. Return via motor coach to Naples for dinner and overnight.

Depart after breakfast we depart Naples for Pompeii to tour the famous archeological site. Mount Vesuvius destroyed this thriving city in

79 AD. We’ll then celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary and view the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Pompeii. After lunch we continue to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Awake this morning in the eternal city of Rome and have the opportunity to attend the Papal Audience. Then we take a tour of the

Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel which have the most inspiring galleries of art treasures. We continue to visit the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. View the Pieta and Bernini’s amazing bronze canopy. Also, take

advantage of the Jubilee Indulgence by walking through the Holy Door. Dinner and overnight Rome.

Today we have the great blessing and gift to walk through 2 of the 5 Holy Doors in Rome. As we drive to the Basilicas, we view the

Colosseum and Roman forum before we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the oldest church in Rome. Then we visit Scala

Sancta and may have the opportunity to climb the Holy Stairs, the same steps Jesus climbed in the palace of Pontius Pilate. We continue

to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, which contains a relic of the manger of the

baby Jesus. Celebrate Mass before we have a little leisure time this afternoon. Farewell dinner and overnight Rome.