October 14-25, 2024

Join Father Matthew Rader pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Tiffin, Ohio) on a pilgrimage to Italy! Walk in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Claire in Assisi, St. (Padre) Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Sts. Benedict and Scholastica in Norcia and Montecassino, and too many more to list!  Stand in awe before the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano and visit a cave in which St. Michael the Archangel appeared. Visit the Benedictine Monks of Norcia. Tour the major basilicas in Rome, have the opportunity for a papal audience (if available), and tour some of the most ancient sites in Rome. Fr. Rader will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass daily at many of these holy sites.

CLICK HERE to Download the REGISTRATION FORM

Travel Itinerary*
*Subject to change

Day 1: Monday, Oct 14
Depart Detroit for overnight flight to Rome

Day 2: Tuesday – Oct 15
Arrive in Rome, transfer to Assisi and check in at the Hotel. Enjoy dinner tonight at the Hotel. If flight schedule permits we will stop in Orvieto to visit the Eucharistic Miracle

Day 3: Wednesday – Oct 16: Assisi
This morning, begin the day with Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis, pending confirmation. After breakfast, you will participate in a guided tour of Assisi including such sites as the beautiful Basilica of St Francis, the Church of Santa Clara which houses her incorrupt body, visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, just days after his Feast day, as well as the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels which houses the Porziuncola. The Remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this lovely hillside town on your own. Dinner tonight at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 4: Thursday – Oct 17: Norcia
Today’s excursion takes us to Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica. Pending confirmation we will celebrate Mass with the Monks in the new San Benedetto Monastery in Monte. Afterward, we will have a update on the rebuilding of the town and Monastery followed by lunch, on your own, in a local Agriturismo. Pending the Monks schedule we may have a beer tasting as well. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 5: Friday – Oct 18: Assisi / Lanciano / San Giovanni Rotondo
Depart Assisi this morning after breakfast. Drive east and south to Lanciano, a city noted for the oldest Eucharistic Miracle. Continue in the afternoon toward the Adriatic Coast and arrive at San Giovanni Rotondo late afternoon, check-in at Hotel and dinner. (Pending local schedule it may be possible to join other pilgrims praying the rosary this evening). (B, D)

Day 6: Saturday – Oct 19: San Giovanni Rotondo
This morning we will visit Monte Sant’Angelo, where St. Michael appeared in 490. Visit the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’ Angelo, built in the 13th century by Charles I of Anjou. Return to San Giovanni Rotondo this afternoon to visit the sites associated with the life of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin monk noted for his deep humility, pious exercises and the stigmata he bore of the wounds of Christ. Three days after the monks celebrated the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis, St. Padre Pio was “gifted” with the outward signs of the wounds of Christ, though he had suffered from these wounds for 8 years internally. Visits include his tomb and cell, the old church where he received the stigmata, and his confessional. Dinner and overnight in SGR. (B, D)

Day 7: Sunday – Oct 20: San Giovanni Rotondo / Monte Cassino / Rome
Today we head to Rome. En-route, we will stop at the Monastery of Monte Cassino, where St. Benedict lived out the remainder of his life. St. Benedict and St. Scholastic are buried in the crypt. Arrive Rome late afternoon/early evening. (B, D)

Day 8: Monday – Oct 21: Rome
This morning we begin with visits to the three major basilicas in Rome, including the 1600-year-old St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the Saint’s burial place, and the Catacombs. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 9: Tuesday – Oct 22: Rome
Today we begin with Mass at St. Peter’s, pending confirmation. After Mass we will take our guided tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. Remainder of day is free to shop or explore Rome on your own. (B, D)

Day 10: Wednesday – Oct 23: Rome
This morning we will head to St. Peter’s for the Papal audience, (if available). After a brief stop for lunch, on your own, we will have our tour of ancient Rome. The highlights include the Capitoline Hill, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the Colosseum. (B, D)

Day 11: Thursday – Oct 24: Rome
Today you may participate in an optional walking tour of the historical centre of Rome visiting: Trevi fountain, Pantheon and Navona square. Remainder of the afternoon is free to do as you wish. Tonight enjoy a Farwell dinner.

Day 12: Friday – Oct 25: Rome / USA
Depart for the Rome airport (FCO) for our return flight home.

NOTES: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when sequence and days of visits may change and certain alterations become necessary due to changes and or closures that our beyond our control. We are not responsible for any changes to entry/travel requirements put into effect by Governments, Health Organizations, Airlines, transfer countries, arriving countries, return country, museums, Churches, restaurants etc. We are not responsible for any or all changes / cancellations / interruptions caused by Force majeure. Arriving and departing flights may affect the first and last day itinerary. All Mass locations listed are subject to final confirmation.

You must be physically fit and capable of walking on uneven terrain and being on your feet all day. (Foreign entities do not have the “American Disabilities Act” – accommodations in the US are not available in many other countries.) Everyone is responsible for handling their own luggage and keeping pace with the group.

To register for this pilgrimage please read, complete and sign the registration form, and the Health release form and return with your deposit. In todays uncertain times all prices are subject to change prior to departure due to major currency fluctuations, changes in fuel prices and/or unforeseen economic circumstances beyond our control.

[Click to download Travel Itinerary & Terms and Conditions or Registration Form]

For additional information, questions, or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com

LAND-ONLY COST

$3,999.00 per person Cash or Check (based on a minimum of 30 participants with double occupancy). To participate in GROUP AIR add $1,549.00 per person cash/check to the above “Land-Only Cost.” Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT, but please contact Maggie to arrange flights from another domestic or international airport. DO NOT BOOK AIRFARE WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH MAGGIE!

Included

10 nights accommodations
Breakfasts and Dinners daily
English speaking tour escort / guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Transfers from international airport, for those on group air
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
Private Mass arrangements daily
Tips for Tour escort/guides & driver
Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase 30 days prior to departure)

Not Included

Roundtrip airfare (Group air available, see above cost)
Optional Travel Insurance – (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!! NOTE: Some countries may require travel insurance. At this printing Italy is not requiring insurance. This could change by the time the group travels.)
Any/all Covid-19 requirements/test(s) that may be required by airlines, departing / arriving country and transfer country. (Nothing required at this printing)
Lunches & beverages w/meals other than those listed in “included”
Transportation to/from Domestic Airport
Mass donations
Items of personal nature
Any item(s) not specifically mentioned
Airline-imposed baggage fees
Limited Single Rooms – CALL FOR AVAILABILITY AND COST. Maggie – 419-290-8782

**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.

Click Here to Download the Registration Form!