Italy with Monsignor Eugene Morris, Zip Rzeppa & Cardinal Raymond Burke

April 23

Our pilgrimage to Italy begins as we board our plane the in the U.S. for an overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

​

April 24

Upon arrival into Rome, we'll transfer via deluxe motor coach to Assisi, home of the Franciscan Order. Following hotel check-in and some leisure time, we will celebrate Mass at the Hermitage of Carceri, located in the hills of Assisi. Dinner. Overnight Assisi

​

April 25

After breakfast, we will visit the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, when St. Francis began his ministry. After lunch at one of the trattorias in Assisi, we will proceed to the Church of St. Clare to view the Saint’s body, barely corrupt since her death centuries ago. St. Clare was the foundress of the Order of Poor Clare’s. Then on to the basilica of St. Francis, to view some of the saint’s possessions and the many frescoes depicting his life. While at the Basilica, our Spiritual Directors will celebrate Mass. A quick bus ride to the lower village for dinner. Overnight Assisi

​

April 26

Following breakfast, we leave the hilltop town for the lower village of Assisi to visit St. Mary of the Angels, where St. Francis spent most of his life. We’ll visit the Chapel Portiuncola, the rose bush and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Next, we depart for Florence, located on the Arno River. Our guided tour will include the magnificent Franciscan church of Santa Croce with it’s beautiful facade, a burial place of nobles, including Michelangelo and Galileo. We’ll continue through Republic Square to the Santa Maria del Fiore, a 13th century cathedral. Time permitting, there will be an opportunity to explore the numerous museums, before returning to Assisi. Dinner and an evening at leisure. Overnight Assisi

​

April 27

We depart Assisi for the beautiful Amalfi Coast. En-route we will visit the gorgeous hilltop town of Orvieto. The town sits on a 1,000-foot high rock formation, poetically crowned by Italy’s most renowned Gothic cathedral. Because of its strategic location, Orvieto for centuries served as a refuge for the popes in troubled times. We visit the famous Cathedral housing the corporeale of the Miracle of the Eucharist in Bolsena where we will celebrate Mass. We arrive in the town of Sorrento, where we overnight for two nights. This town offers stunning panoramic views of the bay of Naples, where you will marvel at the picturesque narrow streets, parks, and villas. Dinner. Overnight Sorrento

 

April 28

Today is a day at leisure in Sorrento. You may want to board a hydrofoil for a visit to the island of Capri, one of the most picturesque islands in the world. Starting with the Grotta Azzurra (the “Blue Grotto”), now known to have been a Roman bathing place. Depending on time, you may take a tour of Mount Solaro, Villa San Michele, and the Church of San Michele. Overnight Sorrento

​

April 29

Depart Sorrento by boat as we cruise along the rocky Amalfi Coast. Our destination is Positano which looks onto a small bay and has a pleasant beach backed by mountain buttresses. The houses are built on terraces among gardens. We’ll visit and participate in Mass at St. Maria Assunta. Next, we depart for Rome where before checking into our hotel we will see the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine and the Forum. Dinner. Overnight Rome

​

April 30

We visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (the burial place of St. Paul, one of the five patriarchal Basilicas and the second largest church in Rome) and location of one of the Holy Doors of Rome. In the afternoon we will visit the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major. This basilica is also home to one of the Holy Doors of Rome. We also visit Santa Pudenziana, one of the oldest churches in Rome, where St. Peter and St. Paul resided for a time. Finally, we visit Santa Prassede a 9th-century basilica with glorious Byzantine mosaics celebrating images from the book of Revelation. Dinner and evening at leisure. Overnight Rome

​

May 1

Following breakfast, we have an early departure for St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Papal Audience (subject to the Pope’s schedule). After lunch, we have a guided tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica where we will have the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door. Overnight Rome

​

May 2

Today Ancient Rome will be explored beginning with Mass at the Church of Santa Maria Ara Coeli (a Church on the Capitoline Hill which commemorates a vision of Augustus Caesar of the Virgin Mary). Next we will visit the Mamertine Prison where St. Peter and St. Paul were imprisoned for 9 months. We also visit the remnants of the Roman Forum around the Colosseum. After lunch we will visit the Church of San Clemente where each of its three levels has historical and spiritual significance. Dinner, an opportunity for an optional walking tour to Piazza Navona. There we will enjoy the beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers while tasting some Italian Gelato. Tonight we gather for our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Rome

​

May 3

With a renewed sense of pilgrimage and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we will board our plane for our return flight home.

 

The Pilgrimage Includes

4-star hotel accommodations

Breakfast & dinner daily

Wine with some dinners

Air-conditioned motorcoach

Professional tour manager

Local Catholic guides

Admissions fees on itinerary

Daily Mass & spiritual activities

Personal headsets with some tours

Tips for hotel & restaurant staff

 

For an additional cost:

Round-trip airfare from New York, St. Louis, or Chicago ($999)
Travel Insurance (price is age-based)

​

To Book the Pilgrimage click here to go to Canterbury Pilgrimages.