Pilgrimage to France & Italy in the Jubilee Year
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Pilgrimage to France & Italy in the Jubilee Year
Pilgrimage Overview
Join us on a Pilgrimage to France & Italy in the Jubilee Year with Fr. Bruce Orsborn
DAY 1
Depart USA
Today we take our flights to Lyon with beverages and snacks served aloft.
DAY 2
Arrive Lyon
We arrive in Lyon and are met by our tour manager, who will accompany us throughout this journey. We board a motor coach and make our way to the town of Lyon: founded by the Romans in 43 BC on the hill of Fourvière, the city is known for its rich culture, vibrant atmosphere, and its delicious cuisine. We enjoy an orientation tour upon arrival and then continue to our hotel for check-in and dinner.
DAY 3
Lyon
This morning we travel to Paray-le-Monial, the place where St. Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus between 1673 and 1675. We visit the Chapel of the Visitation and celebrate Mass. We then continue our tour and visit the room of the relics of St. Margaret Mary, the Diorama of St. Margaret, and the Eucharist Museum. Other highlights include the Basilica of Sacré Coeur and the Chapel of St. Claude in honor of St. Margaret Mary’s Spiritual Director. After free time for lunch we return to Lyon stopping in Ars-sur-Formans, home of St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests. Pope John Paul II visited here in 1986. We visit the basilica housing St. John’s incorrupt body and the Chapel of Our Lady of Ars, a favorite devotion of St. John. Mass is celebrated for the priests of our diocese before returning to Lyon for dinner. After, we return to Lyon for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4
La Salette
This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Lyon, visiting the Basilique Notre-Dame of Fourvière, built after the Franco-Prussian War as a vow to create a Marian sanctuary if Lyon was spared. We explore the ancient Roman Amphitheatre and the Renaissance-style buildings in Vieux Lyon. We then we depart for La Salette located in the French Alps. It is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846 to two shepherds, Melanie Matthew and Maximin Giraud, lamenting over the lack of observance of Sundays and the profaning of her Son’s holy name. A spring marks the spot where the Virgin appeared.
DAY 5
Turin
Today, after breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Salette where we celebrate Mass, afterwards we make our way to Turin for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
Turin
: We visit the city of Turin and St. John the Baptist Cathedral, where we will see the Shroud of Turin, believed to be the burial cloth of Christ. The Shroud is an amazing sight, bearing the distinct image of a crucified man. We then meet our local guide for a city tour, including the Church of Corpus Domini, the site of a 15th-century Eucharistic miracle, and the Basilica of St. Maria Ausiliatrice (Mary Help of Christians). This basilica was part of a home for impoverished boys founded by Saint John Bosco, who is buried here along with the relics of St. Dominic Savio and other saints. Lunch will be on our own. In the afternoon, we enjoy a chocolate-focused walking tour to explore Turin’s sweet side, learning about its chocolate-making history and tasting chocolates in a historic pastry shop or café.
DAY 7
Genova
This morning we travel to Genova. Upon arrival, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, including the Shrine of St. Catherine of Genoa, known as Caterina Fieschi Adorno, an Italian Catholic saint and mystic from 1447 to 1510. Admired for her care of the sick and poor, she’s also known for her writings on mystical experiences. We visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, home to intriguing relics. After free time for lunch, we proceed to La Spezia for a late afternoon Mass at a local church. Later, we check into our hotel for dinner.
DAY 8
La Spezia
After breakfast at our hotel, we enjoy a full-day excursion to Cinqueterre, five villages suspended between sea and land. We enjoy a boat trip along the coast with our guide and our first stop will be Portovenere for a sightseeing tour of this fortified village. We then continue by local boat to Monterosso, enjoying the beautiful landscape with its terraces and all the Cinqueterre villages from the sea. Upon arrival in Monterosso, we continue on a walking sightseeing tour followed by lunch served at a local restaurant. We then have some free time for our own activities. We then reach the local train station and take the train to Levanto, where we board our waiting motor coach and transfer back to La Spezia. Dinner tonight will be on our own.
DAY 9
Assisi
After breakfast and check-out, we travel to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis, traveling through the beautiful Tuscan countryside of the Chianti Fiorentino, viewing the olive groves, vineyards, and rolling hills. We stop in Castellina, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of Tuscany’s renowned Chianti wine region. Known for its medieval architecture, Castellina boasts narrow streets lined with charming stone houses and inviting trattorias serving local delicacies. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as the imposing Rocca Comunale and sample exquisite Chianti wines at nearby vineyards, immersing themselves in the rich cultural and culinary traditions of this enchanting Italian countryside gem.In the afternoon continue on to Assisi. After check-in at our hotel, dinner follows
DAY 10
Assisi / Rome
This morning we celebrate mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. After mass, we enjoy a guided tour of Assisi including St. Francis Basilica, with the tomb of St. Francis, and view the series of frescoes depicting his life. Continue with a visit to the Santuario Della Spogliazione where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb is placed. Carlo is the first millennial to be declared Blessed who loved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. From there, you will continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and end with a tour of the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. Lunch is self-arranged in Assisi. In the afternoon, we board our touring motor coach and transfer to Rome for check-in at our hotel and dinner.
DAY 11
Rome
This morning, we head to Vatican City for the General Papal Audience at Pope Paul VI Audience Hall (subject to the Holy Father’s schedule). After lunch on our own, a local guide takes us to St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, housing the Tomb of St. Paul the Apostle. Entering through the Holy Door, we explore the basilica’s history, noting its 4th-century origins despite extensive renovations. The basilica displays portraits of each pope, including Pope Francis. We then visit Tre Fontane Abbey, known for its three churches and the renowned “le Tre Porte” door.
DAY 12
Rome
Today, we delve into the Vatican Museums, renowned for housing one of the world’s finest art collections, including Michelangelo’s iconic Sistine Chapel frescoes and the Raphael Rooms. We then proceed to St. Peter’s Basilica, situated on the site of St. Peter’s martyrdom, where we marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s majestic bronze canopy. After celebrating Mass here, we visit the Scala Sancta, believed to be the staircase from Pontius Pilate’s Jerusalem palace, walked by Christ before his crucifixion. Later, we explore the Basilica of St. John Lateran, historically the residence of popes. Balance of the day free.
DAY 13
Rome
After breakfast, we celebrate mass at the Church of St. Mary Major. The largest church in Rome, it is also known as Our Lady of the Snows. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Pope Liberius in 352 AD instructing him to build a church in her honor where he would find a patch of snow. Since snow in August is quite rare, the pope took it as a sign and built the church on the spot where the snow had fallen. We then visit the Church of Santa Pudenziana, thought to be the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome. The church is dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, the daughter of a Roman senator, who was baptized by St. Peter, thus forging the first link in a long history between the Vatican and Rome. Lunch will be on our own and the balance of the afternoon is free for our own activities. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.
DAY 14
Return Home
This morning we are transferred to Rome’s airport and board our return flight home with memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Roundtrip Flights
- Excursions per itinerary
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- 12 Nights Accommodation
- All Meals per Itinerary
- Professional Catholic Tour Guides
- Spiritual Director
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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