This morning, we will begin with Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. It is a peaceful, leisurely walk downhill through the charming streets of Assisi to reach the basilica. After Mass, the Franciscan Friars, our friends and custodians of this magnificent basilica, will provide us with a private guided tour, sharing insights into its history, architecture, and spiritual significance.

Following Mass and our tour, we will enjoy a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant with breathtaking views of the Basilica of St. Francis.

In the afternoon, we will walk to Assisi's historic center. Along the way, we will visit several important churches, including San Rufino, where both St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized.

Later, we will visit the house of the Bishop of Assisi, where St. Francis famously renounced his worldly possessions. If the bishop is available, we will have the privilege of meeting with him and walking through the newly discovered door that St. Francis passed through as he left his father to follow his divine calling.

Our day will culminate with a visit to the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized on September 7, 2025. Carlo Acutis, a remarkable young man who died in 2006 at the age of 15, was beatified in 2020 and is buried in Assisi. His life and legacy continue to inspire countless pilgrims around the world.

Overnight in Assisi. Breakfast and Lunch are included. Dinner is on your own.

Our day begins with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli), built over the Portiuncula chapel that St Francis established. We will begin with Mass in this sacred space, followed by a tour of the Basilica, an important site in the life of St. Francis.

Next, we will continue our pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of San Damiano, where we will be welcomed by Brother Mauro, a Franciscan Friar who resides at this ancient sanctuary. He will share the history and significance of this holy place, where St. Francis received the famous call from Christ to "Rebuild My Church."

Afterward, you will have free time for lunch on your own in Piazza del Comune, the heart of Assisi, where you can enjoy a meal and explore the vibrant square. In the afternoon, another friend and guide will lead us on a walking tour of Assisi.

Our evening will conclude with dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants in Assisi, where we can reflect on the day's experiences.

Overnight in Assisi. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

After breakfast, we will board our private motorcoach and depart for Norcia, a town nestled in the rugged mountains and steep valleys of central Italy. This region is known for its breathtaking landscapes and fresh, clean air, providing a peaceful retreat away from the crowded cities of Italy and Europe.

The area surrounding Norcia has a rich monastic history. In the 4th and 5th centuries, as Christian monasticism flourished in the deserts of Egypt and Syria (the Christian East), monks began to travel westward, eventually reaching Italy and southern France. During the time of St. Augustine (354-430 AD), and just before the birth of St. Benedict (480 AD), the valleys and mountains around Norcia became home to many monks. Some lived as hermits in solitude, while others formed small, interconnected communities that laid the foundation for the communal monastic life of St. Benedict.

Today, there is a remarkable revival of Benedictine monasticism in Norcia. We will visit the Benedictine monastery on the mountainside overlooking the town, where we will meet Father Cassian Folsom, an American monk who founded this community. Father Cassian will share his story and the history of the monastic restoration he led in Norcia.

For lunch, we will visit Agriturismo, a farm-to-table restaurant located in the foothills of the Sibilini Mountains, within the Sibilini National Park. From here, we will enjoy stunning views of Norcia while savoring locally sourced dishes. Father Cassian, prior emeritus of the monastery, will join us for lunch and offer a spiritual reflection.

In 1988, Father Cassian and two companions arrived in Norcia with the mission of restoring the ancient monastery and the Basilica of St. Benedict. Their work began humbly, but over time, it gained attention, and other young men joined the effort. Today, the monastery has more than 16 monks and is internationally recognized for its role in renewing the Benedictine tradition and fostering the restoration of the Faith.

In the afternoon, we follow in the footsteps of many saints through the centuries and pilgrimage to Loreto, which overlooks the Adriatic Sea and is the home of the Holy House of Loreto, the house of the Holy Family. According to tradition, this house was miraculously transported by angels from Nazareth to Loreto in the 13th century, prior to the expulsion of the Crusaders from the Holy Land. The materials of the house have been scientifically confirmed to match those found in Nazareth, and the house is noted for its lack of an ordinary foundation.

The Holy House of Loreto is one of the most important Marian shrines in the world, known for numerous miracles and healings. Pope John Paul II called it "the true Marian heart of Christianity." Over the centuries, this sanctuary has been visited by approximately 200 saints, beatified persons, and numerous Popes, making it a significant pilgrimage site for the Catholic faithful. Our dear friend, Donatella, a native of Loreto, will meet with us to share the importance of this sacred site.

Overnight in Loreto. Breakfast and Lunch are included.  Dinner on your own.

We begin our day with early Mass in the Holy House of Loreto before embarking on a scenic drive along the Adriatic Coast of Italy, heading toward Lanciano to venerate the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano - the first, and many believe the greatest, Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. 

Following our visit to Lanciano, we will continue our pilgrimage to Monte Sant’Angelo and the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel. Perched on the slopes of Monte Gargano, this Sanctuary is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage sites in Europe, dating back to the 13th century when it was founded by Charles I of Anjou. According to tradition, the Archangel Michael appeared multiple times in the dreams of the Bishop of Sipontum (modern-day Manfredonia), instructing him to dedicate a grotto on Monte Gargano to the Archangel.

Over the centuries, numerous prominent figures have visited this holy site, including Pope St. John Paul II, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Thomas Aquinas, and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, among many others. When St. Francis of Assisi visited the Sanctuary, he felt unworthy to enter the grotto and instead paused to pray and meditate at the entrance. He kissed a stone there and carved the sign of the cross in the form of a “T.”

In the afternoon, we will travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, a small town known worldwide for its association with the beloved St. Padre Pio.

St. Padre Pio, also known as “Padre Pio of Pietrelcina,” was a Capuchin friar and mystic who lived in San Giovanni Rotondo from 1916 until his death in 1968. He became famous for his stigmata — the visible marks of the wounds of Christ — and for his reputation as a miraculous healer and spiritual guide.

Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

We begin the day in San Giovanni Rotondo with a visit to the Church of St. Mary of Grace, where the mortal remains of St. Padre Pio are enshrined. This church is a significant pilgrimage destination for Catholics and people of many faiths, offering a place of deep reverence and prayer for those seeking to connect with the legacy of this beloved saint.

After our visit, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and travel to Manoppello to venerate the Holy Face of Manoppello. The Shrine of the Holy Face of Manoppello is home to a mysterious cloth bearing the image of a man with visible wounds on his face. Some believe this image is the actual face of Christ, formed at the moment of His Resurrection. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited this shrine to venerate the Holy Face. Our friend Alessandra, a local expert, will provide insight into the history and traditions surrounding this sacred image.

Following our visit to Manoppello, we will continue our journey westward to Rome, where we will check into your accommodations inside the Vatican, near the tomb of St. Peter. This will be our home for the next five nights as we continue our pilgrimage.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

After morning Mass, we will attend the weekly Papal Audience. The event typically begins with a brief reading from Sacred Scripture, followed by a homily from the Holy Father, reflecting on the reading. The Audience concludes with the Holy Father offering his Apostolic Blessing to all pilgrims in attendance.

After the Papal Audience, we will enjoy lunch and some free time in Rome followed by a tour of the Scavi beneath St. Peter's Basilica.

The Scavi Tour beneath St. Peter’s Basilica takes pilgrims deep below the present basilica into the ancient Roman necropolis that once lay on the slope of Vatican Hill. Here, in a remarkably preserved network of streets and tombs dating from the 1st to the 4th centuries, we encounter the earliest layers of Christian Rome.

Excavations began in 1939 during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII. What archaeologists uncovered confirmed an ancient and uninterrupted Christian tradition: that this was the burial place of Saint Peter, the Apostle martyred in Rome.

The tour concludes at the site identified as Peter’s tomb, located directly beneath the high altar of the basilica — a place venerated by Christians for nearly two thousand years. Standing here, pilgrims find themselves at the very heart of the Church’s history, where faith, memory, and martyrdom meet.

From our residence at Domus Sanctae Marthae, it is only a three-minute walk to the entrance of the Scavi, a rare privilege that allows us to move quietly from where we are staying within Vatican City directly to this most ancient and sacred place.

After exploring the Scavi, we will take a private transfer to Trastevere, one of Rome’s most enchanting neighborhoods, situated on the opposite bank of the River Tiber, just south of the Vatican. Here, we will visit the Basilica di Santa Cecilia, built on the site of the family home of St. Cecilia, a noblewoman and martyr from around 230 AD. We will also explore Chiesa di San Francesco a Ripa, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, who once stayed at the adjacent convent.

Next, we will visit the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, which may have been one of the earliest sites of Christian worship in Rome. According to tradition, it was founded by Pope Calixtus I in the 3rd century and completed by Pope Julius I in 340.

We will have a lovely dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Trastevere before returning to our accommodations inside the Vatican.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner is on your own.

We begin the day with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica before traveling to the Churches of Sts. Prassedes and Pudentiana. These two sisters were the daughters of St. Pudens, a Roman senator who was converted and baptized by St. Paul. It is believed that St. Paul stayed in their home during his time in Rome. St. Paul mentions Pudens in his Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 19-22: “Final Greeting: Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus.  Erastus remained in Corinth, while I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.  Try to get here before winter.  Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers send greetings. The Lord be with your spirit.  Grace be with all of you.”

The Church of St. Pudentiana is also the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in 1610, adding to its significance as a place of great devotion.

Next, we will visit two of the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome: St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. Both of these basilicas are extraordinary monuments to the Catholic faith, housing art and relics that inspire awe and reverence.

At St. Mary Major, we will see the famous Salus Populi Romani icon, a painting of Mary that is traditionally believed to have been painted by St. Luke. It is considered the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary and is venerated as the Protectress of the Roman People.

A short distance away, we will visit the Church of San Alfonso, a beautiful Victorian-Gothic structure. Here, we will view the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, displayed above the altar in the sanctuary, beneath a stunning mosaic of the Holy Family. This icon has a long history of miraculous intercession.

Our journey continues to St. John Lateran, the oldest and first among the four Papal basilicas of Rome. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), St. John Lateran is the spiritual seat of the papacy and holds great historical importance, serving as the papal residence for centuries.

We will also visit the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta), located near St. John Lateran. These steps are believed to be the stairs that Pontius Pilate had Jesus ascend in Jerusalem during His trial. In the 4th century, St. Helena brought these sacred steps to Rome, where they remain a site of devotion and pilgrimage.

Nearby, we will visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem), which houses several important relics from the Passion of Christ. Among these relics are thorns from Christ’s crown, nails from His cross, and the titulus—the inscription Pilate ordered to be placed above Jesus’ head at His crucifixion. This basilica is a place of profound reverence, and we will have the opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

Today, we will pilgrimage to Florence, a journey of about 2.5 hours. Florence (Firenze in Italian), the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is renowned for its profound influence on Western art and culture. The city’s sacred art and religious buildings beautifully reflect this legacy.

We will visit some of Florence's most iconic churches:

• The Baptistery, famous for its stunning bronze doors created by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the early 15th century, which depict scenes from the Old Testament.

• The Church of the Holy Cross (Basilica di Santa Croce), where several prominent historical figures are buried, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Niccolò Machiavelli.

• The Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence, an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance.

While in Florence, we will attend Mass in one of its beautiful churches.

Afterward, our expert guide from Tuscany will lead us on a walking tour of the city, passing through landmarks such as Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and the picturesque Ponte Vecchio bridge.

The afternoon is free time for lunch and exploring Florence on your own.

In the late afternoon, we will depart Florence for Rome, returning to your accommodations inside the Vatican.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included.

We begin our day with morning Mass, after which we will travel south of Rome along the historic Appian Way towards the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where the tomb of St. Paul is enshrined. This basilica is dedicated to St. Paul, who was beheaded in Rome.

The Appian Way is one of the oldest and most important roads of ancient Rome, stretching from the city to the heel of Italy. Time permitting, we will also pass by the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, and, if possible, visit the Domine Quo Vadis Church, where Christ appeared to St. Peter, urging him to return to Rome to continue his preaching and eventually face martyrdom.

Next, we will visit the Church of St. Paul at the Three Fountains (Chiesa del Martirio di San Paolo alle Tre Fontane), one of the oldest churches in Rome, marking the site of St. Paul’s martyrdom. According to tradition, because St. Paul was a Roman citizen, he was beheaded rather than crucified. It is said that as his head struck the ground three times, springs of water appeared at each spot. Inside the church, we will see the pillar where St. Paul is believed to have been bound before his execution.

If the gatekeeper is available, we may have the opportunity to venerate the pillar. The original church was built in the 5th century, but the current structure dates from the 16th century. We will also visit the prison cell where St. Paul was held before his martyrdom, located in the crypt of another church on the grounds. These grounds are peaceful and reverent, offering a quiet space for prayer.

Our next encounter will be at the site of the Grotto of Our Lady of Revelations, the site of an extraordinary apparition in 1947. Here, Our Lady appeared to Bruno Cornacchiola, a bitter anti-Catholic, and revealed profound truths about salvation. During the apparition, Our Lady encouraged Bruno to turn to her in times of doubt and despair. This moment of grace led Bruno to a profound conversion, returning to the Catholic faith and becoming an evangelist. The site has been the location of two reported miracles of the sun, similar to the famous Fatima phenomenon, which occurred on the 33rd and 35th anniversaries of the apparition.

We will stop for lunch along the way.

We will return to Vatican City to attend the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Peter's Basilica before dinner.

Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Lunch is on your own.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for your return journey home. Our departure is scheduled for 7:00 AM. As we say farewell, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to all our fellow pilgrims and friends. Until we meet again...

Breakfast is included.