Deal

Depart Sydney for Rome onboard your flight.

On arrival in Rome. Meet our tour escort and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, depart for the Medieval town of Ovieto. The feast of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi) was first proclaimed here in 1263 following the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. We celebrate mass in the chapel where the sacred cloth from that event was preserved and where the stained corporal bearing the spots of blood is still on display for our extraordinary viewing. A Symbol of the city itself, the Ovieto Cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Italy. We continue today to the pilgrim center of Assisi, where St Francis tended the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan Order. ON arrival, we visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels down on the plains where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we will see the Portiuncula (meaning ‘small portion of land’) where St Francis returned for prayer, the thornless rose bush, and the chapel where he died in 1226.

This morning, we awake to the sound of chapel bells, cobblestone footsteps and the tangible spirit of St Francis preserved within the medieval walls of this holy town. Our day begins with mass and guided exploration of the buzzling Basilica of St Francis. We then walk to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore – Sanctuary of the Spogliazione, where we have the opportunity to visit and pray at the tomb of St Carlo Acutis – a young Catholic from Italy with a passionate devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

After breakfast, continue to Cascia, the home of St Rita, the beloved patron saint of impossible and hopeless cases. Upon arrival, we will visit the magnificent Basilica of St Rita. Here we will have the opportunity to venerate the incorrupt body of St Rita, preserved as a powerful sign of her holiness and God’s grace. Time will be provided for personal prayer and reflection. Then continue south to Lanciano, scene of the Eucharistic miracle in the 8th century.

Today, the pilgrimage will continue to San Giovanni Rotondo where St Padre Pio spent a lifetime of prayer, penance and self-denial. His list of supernatural gifts is overwhelming – reading of souls, prophecy, miraculous healings, spiritual direction, etc. while spending extraordinarily long hours in the confessional and often sleeping very little. Throughout his life he received visits from Jesus and Mary and had regular communication with his guardian angel.

After breakfast, take a tour of the shrine including Tomb and cell of St Padre Pio; his Confessional and the Crucifix from which he received the stigmata. We visit the English speaking office for an inspirational talk by one of the friars and to view a special rare film showing highlights of Padre Pio’s daily life in the Monastery. The rest of the day is free for prayers.

Optional tour to Monte Sant’ Angelo is available for additional cost. Min. 10 people to operate.
In this optional tour, you travel by coach to Mont Sant’ Angelo, the hilltop Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel and celebrate mass in the Grotto Cave. The Archangel is said to have made four separate appearances here mostly during the 5th century, making the sanctuary here one of the earliest Christian sites in Europe and visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. St Francis also visited the sanctuary but feeling unworthy to enter the grotto, stopped in prayer at the entrance, kissed a stone and carved on it the sign of the Tau cross.

Today we depart San Giovanni Rotondo and journey north toward Monte Cassino, one of the most important monastic sights in Christian history. Perched high above the Liri Valey, we arrived at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, founded in 529 AD by St Benedict, the father of Western monasticism and author of the Rule that shaped religious life throughout Europe. During our visit, we explore this remarkable abbey, a place long associated with prayer, learning and stability. It’s history reflects both the endurance and fragility of human achievement: the monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, most notably during World War II, when it was almost completely reduced to rubble. Faithfully constructed stone by stone, the abbey stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience, renewal, and triumph of faith over destruction. Following our visit to Monte Cassino, we continue our journey to Rome, the Eternal City. We arrive late afternoon.

After breakfast, proceed to St Peter’s Basilica Square for a memorable General Audience with the Holy Father. (Subject to Pope’s presence in Rome). Continue through to St. Peter’s Basilica for an informative exploration. The guided tour will feature among other highlights Michelangelo’s stunning Pieta, the tomb of Pope St John Paul II, the great confessional and the crypt.
Then proceed to visit the Basilica of St Pudenziana, one of the oldest churches in Rome. To this day there is the imprint and the stain of blood left by a Host which fell from the hands of a priest while celebrating the Mass.

Optional tour to the Vatican Museum can be arranged for additional cost. Min 10 people to operate.

After breakfast, visit the impressive St Mary Major Basilica and the Basilica of St John Lateran, First Papal residence. Adjacent to the Basilica, view the Holy Stairs / outside / brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326AD by St Helena. Journey this afternoon out to the majestic Basilica of St Paul Outsie the Walls. We will celebrate mass here. Continue along the ancient Appian Way, the oldest road from Roman times to the Ancient Catacombs fie a memorable guided tour. Drive by Domine Quo Vadis – the chapel that stands at the site where, according to tradition, St Peter met Christ when he fled from Rome to escape martyrdom.

After breakfast, free at leisure until the we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Sydney.