March 23 – 30, 2019

Experience the beauty of Italy in springtime. Join chaplain Fr. Jeff Walker of the Catholic Churches of Sandusky, Ohio, on a pilgrimage to some of the most holy locations of Italy. Fr. Walker studied for many years in Rome and therefore, has a firsthand knowledge of Italy. This is an opportunity not to be missed!

This pilgrimage is SOLD OUT! For our other Italian pilgrimages, please click the link that interests you: Italy Sept-Oct 2019 (Marcus Grodi), or Italy October 2019 (Frs. Moore and Nelson).

Day 1 – Saturday, March 23: USA Departure
Depart Detroit Metro Airport (DWT) for your overnight flight to Rome (FCO) with transfer. Meals served on board.

Day 2 – Sunday, March 24: Rome Arrival / Assisi
Arrive in Rome, transfer to Assisi & check in at the Hotel. Afternoon free to explore Assisi on your own. Enjoy the quaint streets that were home to St. Francis and St. Clare 800 years ago. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B, D)

Day 3 – Monday, March 25: Assisi
This morning, begin the day with Mass. 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 Chiara which houses her Incorrupt body and 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 – Tuesday, March 26: Assisi / Orvieto / Rome
After breakfast we say goodbye to Assisi and make our way to Rome. On the way we will stop in Orvieto, the town that 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 corporale of the Miracle of the Eucharist in Bolsena. Continues on to Rome for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 5 – Wednesday, March 27: Rome
This morning we head for St. Peter’s for the Papal audience, (pending the Holy Father’s schedule). Afternoon walking tour of Rome includes panoramic view of Rome from the American Seminary in Rome, Mass at the Tomb of St. Philip Neri, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. (B, D)

Day 6: Thursday, March 28: Rome
This morning we will head to the Vatican Museum where we will see the beautiful Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a tour of Christian Rome including the tomb of St. Paul, the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the Pope’s Cathedral), the Holy Stairs, and the church of the Holy Cross. (B, D)

Day 7: Friday, March 29: Rome
This morning we will tour the ancient Christian catacombs where we will also celebrate Holy Mass. Then we will see the Circus Maximus, the site of Christian martyrdom, on our way to the Colosseum. (B, D)

Day 8 – Saturday, March 30: Rome / USA
This morning depart for the Rome airport for our return flight home. (B)

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to pending schedule confirmations, and/or, due to changes/closures beyond our control. A Scavi Tour will be requested, if confirmed group will be notified and the above schedule will be adjusted to accommodate this tour.