Scardella Catholic Italy Pilgrimage 11 days

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegowina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroer
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldavia
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Created: 01.05.2015

Monday, October 10 - DAY 1 - USA/ROME ???Today we depart for Rome.  We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Tuesday, October 11 - DAY 2 - ROME/ ASSISI - We arrive in Rome this morning, meet our tour manager, board our motor coach and depart for Assisi. We travel north through the Umbrian countryside to the upper town of Assisi. Once check-in is completed remainder of day is at our leisure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Wednesday, October 12 - Day 3 ??? ASSISI - Today, our first stop is the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion, where we celebrate Mass. A short taxi ride takes us to the Hermitage of the Carceri where Francis and his Friars retreated from the world to pray and fast.  Here, the grotto of St. Francis can also be seen. We continue with a visit San Damiano Church.   Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  Thursday, October 13 - DAY 4 - ASSISI - This morning we begin with a short walk to the Basilica of St. Francesco where we celebrate Mass. We visit the Church of St. Clare "the little plant of Blessed Francis", as she loved to call herself, where we will view the San Damiano crucifix that spoke to St. Francis.   Kneeling before it, Francis composed the following prayer, which is considered to be among the oldest of his writings:  "All Highest, Glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart.  Give me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility, with wisdom and perception, O Lord, so that I may do what is truly your most holy will.  Amen."   This afternoon we are free to explore the quaint streets of Assisi.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Friday, October 14 - DAY 5 ??? ASSISI/LORETO/ LANCIANO ??? This morning we drive northeast towards Ancona to Loreto. Where we celebrate Mass followed by a visit to the  site  of the  Santa Casa or Holy House.  Ancient tradition tells us angels carried the house of the Holy Family from Nazareth to Loreto as it was about to be destroyed by Holy Land invaders.  After our visit, we continue southwards via the coastal highway to Lanciano, the site of the oldest Eucharistic Miracle certified by the Church. After almost eight centuries the Body and the Blood still maintain all the characteristics of fresh human material. Dinner and overnight at our hotel nearby. Saturday, October 15 - DAY 6 - LANCIANO/SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - This morning we continue south to San Giovanni Rotondo where we celebrate Mass at the tomb of San Padre Pio and visit the sanctuary. We continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Sunday, October 16 - DAY 7 - SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO - This morning we drive to the Cave of St. Michael where we celebrate Mass. This afternoon we are free to pray the beautiful Stations of the Cross at San Giovanni and enjoy personal prayer time.   Dinner and overnight at our hotel.    Monday, October 17 - DAY 8 ??? SAN GIOVANNI/ ROME - This morning we travel to the Eternal City Rome!  This afternoon we begin our tour with a visit to St. Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls. We end our day at one of the Catacombs where we celebrate Mass.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Tuesday, October 18 - DAY 9 - VATICAN CITY/ROME ???This morning is dedicated to the Vatican City. We begin with a Mass at St. Peter's, where we hope to enter through the Holy Doors.   After Mass, we continue with a visit of St. Peter's Basilica  to view the Pieta. Our walking tour continues to the treasures of the Vatican Museum.  We marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. This afternoon we tour the sights of Rome including a tour of the Coliseum, passing the Roman Forum and visiting the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo???s possibly most celebrated sculpture, the "Moses." On to St. John Lateran and the Church of the Holy Stairs. Dinner on our own tonight.  Overnight at our hotel. Wednesday, October 19 - DAY 10 ??? ROME - This morning, we make our way to St. Peter's for the Audience with Pope Francis if he is in residence.  Remainder of day at our leisure. Dinner is on our own tonight. Overnight at our hotel. Thursday, October 20 - DAY 11 - ROME/USA- This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back home with memories of a lifetime.