PILGRIMAGE TO ITALIAN SHRINES

October 1- 15, 2023

Join Fr. John Boivin, of Holy Name Cathedral, on a two-week pilgrimage/tour. You will encounter the art, architecture, and history of various Italian cathedrals and holy shrines.  Landing in Rome, you will enjoy a three-day adventure in the holy city.  Afterwards, other cities include San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Loreto, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, and Venice.

Sunday, October 1                 Leave O’Hare to Rome on a non-stop American Airlines flight.

Monday, October 2                Arrive in Rome.  Upon arrival, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall where your tour escort will greet you.  You will have time to unpack at the hotel, relax, and walk around.  Dinner on your own.

Tuesday, October 3                After breakfast there is a morning tour to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.  Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Boivin in one of the chapels in St. Peter’s Basilica.  After lunch an afternoon tour includes the Baths of Caracalla, the Appian Way, Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, and St. Paul Outside-the-Wall, the burial place of St. Paul the Apostle.

Wednesday, October 4          There is a papal audience in St. Peter’s Square.  Afterwards there is free time for lunch and shopping.  An afternoon tour includes St. John Lateran, the Holy Steps, and Santa Maria Maggoire.

Thursday, October 5              After breakfast, depart Rome for San Giovani Rotondo, including a stop at Monte Cassino.  If there is time after checking in and dinner, join the candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio. 

Friday, October 6                   After breakfast visit the Old Church, and tour the sanctuary after Mass.  See firsthand the crucifix in front where St. Pio received the stigmata as well as his confessional.  In the afternoon, there is a visit to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel.  Upon returning to San Giovanni Rotondo, there will be free time for private devotion and meditation. 

Saturday, October 7               After breakfast, depart for Lanciano.  After Mass, there will be time to explore.  There will be a visit the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto, as well as the beautiful Madonna of Loreto.  You will continue on to Assisi for an overnight stay.

Sunday, October 8                 After breakfast, celebrate Mass at St. Francis Basilica.  Afterwards, explore Assisi: the birthplace and burial place of Francis, and the church honoring St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clares.  In the afternoon, visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, the rose garden, and the cave where Francis retired to pray.  Upon returning to the hotel, there will be dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday, October 9                After breakfast, depart for the Basilica of St. Domenico, dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena, and then the shrine of St. Catherine itself.  Enjoy a walking tour of Siena including a visit to the cathedral where we celebrate Mass.  The tour ends in the Piazza dei Campo for some free time and lunch.  Then proceed to Florence for some free time.

Tuesday, October 10              The full day in Florence begins with a walking tour around historical monuments of the Piazza della Republica and Piazza dell Signora, cross the landmark Ponte Vecchio, and admire the Pitti Palace and the legendary Duomo.  The morning concludes with a visit to the Church of Santa Croce and Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Accademia Museum to view Michelangelo’s David.

Wednesday, October 11        Depart for Venice with a stop in Padua, the city honoring the patron saint of lost causes and things.  After Mass and a tour of the Basilica of St. Anthony, enjoy the sites of this medieval city.  See the ancient ghettos, the Piazza del Signori, and PalazzoBo, the headquarters of the University of Padua.  Proceed to Venice, and some free time to wander.

Thursday, October 12            A morning tour of Venice includes San Marco Basilica, Doges Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and Piombe Prisons.  The rest of the day is free for exploration and shopping or a visit to Murano glass.

Friday, October 13                 Depart for Rome after breakfast.  There will be free time after checking in at the hotel.

Saturday, October 14             After breakfast, tour the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine, the Arch of Constantine, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. The afternoon is free.  There will be a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday, October 15               After an early breakfast, depart for the airport for a nonstop flight to Chicago.

 Total Cost based on a minimum of 20 passengers

• Cost per person based on double occupancy $5100.
• Single supplement             $1235.

Price quoted based on payment by check or cash only.