Itinerary

1. 

   FLY TO ROME

   We fly this morning from London to Rome Fiumicino, where we are met by our local English- speaking tour manager. Transfer to our accommodation, not far from the Vatican.  Flight time permitting, this evening we gather for our first Mass together before dinner included at a local restaurant

2. 

   PAPAL AUDIENCE AND ST MARY MAJOR

   This morning we take our seats in St Peter’s Square for the Wednesday Papal Audience (if His Holiness is in Rome at the time). Lunch at own cost. This afternoon, we transfer by coach to the Basilica of St Mary Major, home of the burial place of Pope Francis, where we hope to celebrate Mass. We then continue to the medieval quarter of central Rome to discover sites such as Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. This evening we dine at one of Rome's most beloved and truly unique restaurants, L'Eau Vive, just a short walk from the Pantheon. Founded in 1969, the restaurant is run entirely by the Missionary Workers of the Immaculate — a congregation of laywomen from across the world, founded by the French priest Father Marcel Roussel-Galle, who inspired by the Holy Spirit, formed a missionary family dedicated to carrying the Mission of Jesus through the simple, daily act of hospitality.

3. 

   ST PETER BASILICA AND THE SANCTUARY OF THE HOLY FACE OF MANOPPELLO

   An early Mass in St Peter’s Basilica is followed by a guided visit including the Michelangelo’s Pieta, the artwork of Bernini and the tombs of several popes, including St John Paul II. Lunch at own cost. We then join our coach and head to the Abruzzo region. Call at the small town of Manoppello to visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Face. The heart of the sanctuary is the tabernacle on the main altar where the relic of the Holy Face is kept. According to tradition, the Holy Face is the image of the Redeemer imprinted on the veil offered by Saint Veronica during the Via Crucis. Continue to Chieti for overnight and dinner

4. 

   LANCIANO AND THE SANCTUARY OF THE EUCHARIST MIRACLE

   This morning, we visit the Church of St Francis (also known as the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle). The sanctuary houses the relics of the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano that took place in the 8th century, when a Basilian monk, while celebrating the Eucharist, saw the host turn into flesh and the wine into blood. Here we celebrate Mass. This afternoon we drive South to the region of Puglia (Apulia) and continue to the town of San Giovanni Rotondo which was home of St Pio of Pietrelcina from 1916 until his death. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

5. 

   SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO

   Mass will be followed by a visit to the English Office. Here we learn more about Padre Pio who chose to follow the rule of St Francis and joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order. We receive a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by St Pio before we continue on a guided tour including Padre Pio’s cell, the church where Padre Pio received the stigmata and the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with the multitude of pilgrims. Lunch at own cost and the rest of the afternoon is free to visit St Pio’s Church, the new Sanctuary commissioned by the Capuchin Friars and designed by the world renowned Architect Renzo Piano. Today we also hope to visit the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House of the Relief of Suffering) a religious hospital, entrusted to the Holy Father by St Pio.  who insisted that the suffering of the sick be relieved with both medical excellence and spiritual care. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

6. 

   MONTE SANT'ANGELO AND THE SANCTUARY OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

   This morning we follow the footsteps of St Francis and St Pio and visit the Shrine of St Michael Arcangel in Monte Sant’Angelo, a destination for pilgrims since the 6th century. Mass, celebrated in the Sanctuary, will be followed by a visit of the shrine build around a cave that, according to tradition, was consecrated not by human hand, but directly by the archangel Michael. There will be some time to visit this enchanting town part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo.  Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. 

7. 

   PIETRELCINA

   This morning, we drive to Pietrelcina, the small town where St Pio was born and grew up. Here we celebrate Mass. We then visit the native house, the church where the Saint was baptized, the museum dedicated to St Pio adjacent to the Church of the Holy Family and the church where St Pio celebrated his first Mass four days after being ordained, St Mary of the Angels. After free time for lunch (at own cost), we join our coach and call at Piana Romana where St Pio received the first sign of the Stigmata. We then continue to Benevento. Dinner and overnight in Benevento

8. 

   HOME

   Flight time permitting, Mass is celebrated before we transfer to Napoli Airport

Essential Information

Practical information

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