Fr. Pat and Sister Joselda at St. Francis Xavier's Castle in Spain in October
Now one more day (13 days) for no price change from La Crosse, $50 more from Chicago or JFK. We'll now have three rather than two dinners on our own: in Assisi, Sorrento and Rome.
Now departing from THREE CITIES: La Crosse, Wisconsin, Chicago, and JFK in New York
The New Brochure : be sure you're using the NEW BROCHURE,
the one with the picture of Father Pat and Sister Joselda on the cover. Please destroy any old brochures!
Cassino (St. Benedict) and have a full free day in Rome. For a variety of
reasons, including a combining 2 half days of sightseeing into one, a lower
dinner price in Sorrento, and a decrease in air-fare for travelers from La
Crosse, the price difference is very little. It is exactly the same from La
Crosse and goes up only $50 for travelers joining us in Chicago and now
JFK in New York.
Click Here or scroll down for the itinerary
Join us for this great new Pilgrimage, from 10-22 November 2008 $2749 from Chicago or JFK in New York, and $2899 from La Crosse (if deposit is paid be 8-2-2008)
Click Here for the New (15 May 2008) Brochure!
Hint: Adjust the size box at the top of your browser window to 100% When printing, use legal size paper
Fatima, Lourdes, Spain 2006 Photos + Poland 2005 Photos + Ireland 2004 Photos + Italy 2003 Photos
Day 1: Monday, November 10, 2008, USA / ROME
Pilgrims are welcomed today at an international airport for our overnight flight to Rome. Meals are served on board.
Day 2: Tuesday 11/11, ROME / ORVIETO / ASSISI
Upon our arrival in Rome, we catch our first glimpses of the “Eternal City” as we make our way to Orvieto. In 1263 a priest was celebrating holy Mass in the town of Bolsena. This priest was enroute to Rome, on pilgrimage, seeking the grace of belief in the Eucharist. After the consecration, blood began to drip from the Host. Seeing this, the priest quickly wrapped the Eucharist in the corporal. The priest and the local bishop took the Host and corporal to Pope Urban IV, who was staying in Orvieto at the time. As a result of this miracle Pope Urban IV instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi a year later. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Mass for the occasion. In Orvieto, we visit the cathedral and view the holy corporal. We depart Orvieto and travel to the lower plains of Assisi to explore the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, built in 1569 to protect the Portiuncula. The Portiuncula is the church that St Francis and his brothers were given shortly after Pope Innocent III approved of their rule. We also see the statue of St Francis, the live white doves, thornless rose bush, and the cave where St Francis prayed in solitude. We proceed up the hill into the peaceful town of Assisi to check in for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Wednesday 11/12, ASSISI
We spend today in Assisi. This morning we visit one of Christianity’s most revered shrines, the Basilica of St Francis, and see the frescoes depicting events in the life of this gentle saint. We also visit the Basilica of St Clare, which houses her incorrupt body in a crystal casket in the crypt. Off the main nave of the Basilica is the crucifix from which Christ spoke to St Francis in San Damiano. St Francis heard a voice say, “Go Francis, repair my church, which is in ruin.” Thinking that God was telling him to rebuild San Damiano, Francis renounced worldly goods and began immediately to repair the building. Only later did the saint realize that God had been speaking of His living Church. This afternoon is free for personal exploration of the city, relaxing or observing the culture and its people, or shopping for special mementoes. This evening, browse through town sampling the culinary treasures of Italy as dinner is on your own. Overnight in Assisi.
Day 4: Thursday 11/13, ASSISI / LORETO / LANCIANO
Today, we depart Assisi and head northeast to Loreto, a town on the Adriatic coast. Upon our arrival, we visit the Holy House of Nazareth (traditional home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph) which is located inside the Basilica. According to popular legend, the house was miraculously transported by angels from Nazareth to Croatia in 1291. Three years later angels moved the home again, this time to Loreto. We also see the most reproduced Madonna in the world: The Black Madonna of Loreto. From there, we continue our journey to Lanciano, another coastal town on the Adriatic. There, we proceed to the little church of Lagontial in the coastal city of Lanciano, Italy. It was here that the 8th-century “Miracle of the Eucharist Living Flesh of Jesus” took place. During Mass, a Basilian monk doubted that Christ was truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. As he looked on, the host and wine visibly changed to flesh and blood. Scientific tests done in the latter half of the 20th century have concluded that the flesh and blood are human in origin, the flesh consisting of muscular tissue of the heart. We visit the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. You have the opportunity to spend time in Eucharistic adoration before we board our motorcoach and proceed to our hotel to check in. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Lanciano.
Day 5: Friday 11/14, LANCIANO / MT ST ANGELO / SAN GIOVANNI
This morning, we take a lovely drive southeast, through the Italian countryside, to Mt. St. Angelo. Upon our arrival in Mt. St. Angelo, we enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St. Francis, and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto where St. Michael appeared in the 4th century. This is the only building of worship in the Roman Catholic Church not consecrated by humans; it was consecrated by St. Michael himself. Next, we proceed to San Giovanni to check in at our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Saturday 11/15, SAN GIOVANNI / SORRENTO
We spend today at San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio. Padre Pio, was a Capuchin monk and a Stigmatist who had a wide reputation for holiness. We visit the tomb and sanctuary of Padre Pio, tour the old church of Santa Maria delle Grazia (Our Lady of Grace), and see the crucifix from which Padre Pio received the stigmata in 1918. We are also able to view the confessional where he spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. This afternoon, we depart San Giovanni and proceed west to Sorrento. Upon our arrival, we check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Sunday 11/16, SORRENTO / CAPRI / SORRENTO
This morning we board a minibus from Sorrento’s Main Square (Piazza Tasso) to the pier. We travel by hydrofoil/jetfoil (weather permitting) to Capri, the island of dreams, where we visit the mysterious, breathtaking Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) by boat (again weather permitting). We visit Anacapri with a Montesoloro (chairlift included), and entrance to Villa San Michele before returning by hydrofoil/jetfoil to Sorrento’s Mina Square pier. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Monday 11/17, SORRENTO / AMALFI / POMPEII / SORRENTO
After breakfast, we board our motorcoach and drive along the beautiful Amalfi Coast to the town of Amalfi. In Amalfi we admire St Andrew’s cathedral, and explore the narrow city alleyways displaying Maiolica Tile art. We travel along the coast to Vietri Sul Mare before turning northward to Pompeii. In Pompeii, we visit the ruins of Pompeii at the foot of Mt Vesuvius. In 79 AD Mt Vesuvius erupted and covered the Roman town in ash, killing thousands of people and animals in a single day. We have a guided tour of the excavation. Next, we return to Sorrento. You will have free time explore, shop, meditate or simply bask in the beauty and culture of Sorrento. This evening, join other pilgrims or enjoy a private sampling of authentic Italian cuisine at the trattoria (local diner) or restaurant of your choice as dinner is on your own. Overnight in Sorrento.
Day 9: Tuesday 11/18, SORRENTO / MONTECASSINO / ROME
This morning we depart Sorrento and head north to Cassino, where we visit the Abbey of Montecassino. The Abbey was founded by St. Benedict around 529 AD. The present day Abbey is a replica of the previous 17th century structure; Allied bombs destroyed the complex during WWII attacks on the Germans. Our journey continues as we proceed north to Rome. Upon our arrival, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Eternal City. We visit the Roman and Imperial Forums and stop for a tour of the historical colloseum. From there, we check in at our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Wednesday 11/19, ROME (PAPAL AUDIENCE)
This morning we attend the Papal Audience at St Peter’s (provided our Holy Father is home). We listen to the words of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and receive his blessing with pilgrims from all over the world. After the audience, we visit the second largest church in Rome, St Paul Outside the Walls. It was built over the tomb of St. Paul. From there we continue on the Old Appian Way to the Catacombs of Santa Priscilla, stopping at Quo Vadis along the way. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Thursday 11/20, ROME
Today is free to enjoy as you choose. Walk through the Roman streets visiting such sights as: Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Or, spend time in prayer, visit any of the sites to which you feel most drawn, or find a comfortable place to observe the Italian culture and its people. This evening, sample the culinary delights of Italy at the restaurant of your choice as dinner is on your own. Overnight in Rome.
Day 12: Friday 11/21, ROME
This morning we visit Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael's rooms with the wonderful frescoes, and the Sistine Chapel (where Michelangelo's recently restored masterpieces adorn the ceilings and walls). We continue into St. Peter's Basilica, entering through the Holy Doors. St Peter’s is very impressive with its imposing architecture, rich ornamentation, and marvelous works of art. We view one of Rome’s most recognized works of art, Michelangelo’s Pietá and visit the tomb of our beloved John Paul II. This afternoon, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Inside the Basilica we view relics of Jesus’ manger from Bethlehem, and the painting known as The Salvation of the Roman People. Believed to be from the 5th century, this painting has always been popular among Romans in need. From there, we visit St. John Lateran Church, the Cathedral church of the Pope. This church was originally built by Constantine when he ended the Christian persecutions. Here we will see the Altar that holds the relics of Sts. Peter and Paul. Next to the Basilica is the Baptistery and across the street we see la Scala Santa (the Holy Stairs) from Pilate’s Palace. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at Il Tinello Restaurant. Overnight in Rome.
Day 13: Saturday, November 22, 2008, ROME / USA
Today we bid farewell to Italy (arrivederci Italia!) and proceed to the airport in Rome to begin our journey back to the United States. We return home with a memory album of new experiences from some of Italy’s most spectacular and holy places.
Keep me in your prayers and know you're remembered in mine as well. May God continue to draw near to you and those you love and keep you safe!
Father Pat Umberger Not to be reproduced or electronically transmitted without permission. This appears on the Web Site Father Pat's Place Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Vivat Jesus!
