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9 Days: A Pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome

DAY 1: DEPART USA

We depart USA en route to Rome, with complimentary meals and beverages served

aloft.

DAY 2: ROME/ASSISI

We arrive in Rome and are met by our Catholic Travel Centre representative who will

accompany us throughout our journey. We make our way to the tiny Umbrian town of

Assisi, which clings to the side of Mt. Subasio. We check-in to our hotel in Assisi for

dinner and the evening. (B, D)

DAY 3: ASSISI: BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS, CHIESA NUOVA, SAN RUFINO,

BASILICA OF ST. CLARE & SAN DAMIANO

Today we begin with Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. After Mass we enjoy a guidedtour of the Basilica. We continue with a walking tour of the city, visiting the major sites

associated with St. Francis and St. Clare, including the Chiesa Nuova, built over the

home of Francis' family, and the Church of San Rufino, with the baptismal font of the

Saint.

This Afternoon we visit the Church of St. Clare, where St. Clare lies in repose. Here

we see the original 'San Damiano' crucifix that spoke to Francis, urging him to "rebuild

My Church". Francis interpreted the dream literally and went to work on repairing the

building at San Damiano. Only later did he understand the deeper meaning of the

dream. We continue to the Church of San Damiano. Here too we see the original 'San

Damiano Cross' that 'spoke' to Francis. Dinner is at our accommodations this

evening. (B, D)

DAY 4: ASSISI: CARCERI HERMITAGE & BASILICA OF ST. MARY OF THE

ANGELS

This morning we meet our local guide at the Piazza near St. Clare's Church and take

taxis up the winding road (buses cannot make these sharp turns) to the Eremo delle

Carceri (Hermitage), secluded some 2 1/2 miles outside the town of Assisi. Here we

celebrate Mass. This is where St. Francis often retired to pray. Here, in the midst of

the lush green forest and the singing birds, one gets a deep sense of the spirit of St.

Francis. We take some time for our own private reflections, before returning to the

town down below.

After lunch on our own, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, containing the

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Porziuncola, built by St. Francis, and the Mother Church of the Franciscan Order.

Nearby is the site of Francis' death. Dinner and the evening are at our

accommodations. (B, D)

DAY 5: ASSISI / ROME: COLISEUM, CATACOMBS, ST. PAUL'S

We depart Assisi en route to Rome. In Rome, we visit at the Coliseum. Its real name

was the Flavian Amphitheater, after emperors who built it in the first century after

Christ. Coliseum refers to the 'colossal' statue of Nero that at one time stood at the

entrance. Then we make our way to the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, housing thetombs of many of the early popes. We then celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St.

Paul's Outside the Walls, housing the Tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, affectionately

known as the Apostle of the Gentiles. Dinner is at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 6: ROME: VATICAN MUSEUM & BASILICA OF ST. PETER

This morning we enjoy a tour of the Vatican Museum, an incredible collection of art

accumulated by the popes, and the Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo's

masterworks. We visit the Basilica of St. Peter with our local guide. Here we see one

of Michelangelo's great works, the statue of the Blessed Mother holding her crucified

son. We know it as the Pieta. We also visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II. We have

some time at leisure to go on our own up to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, where

you can gain a striking panoramic view of the city or visit some of the excellentreligious article shops in the area. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 7: ROME: MAJOR BASILICAS

This morning we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome

dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Here we celebrate Mass. Nearby we see the

Basilica of St. John Lateran. It is here that St. Francis persuaded Pope Innocent III to

give permission to begin the Franciscan Order. The night before, the Pope had seen a

man in a dream and the man was supporting the tottering building of St. John

Lateran. The next day, when Francis appeared before Pope Innocent, His Holiness

recognized the face from the dream and consented to Francis' request. Nearby is the

Scala Santa, purportedly the stairs that Christ climbed prior to his condemnation by Pontius Pilate. Dinner tonight is at our

hotel. (B, D)

DAY 8: ROME: PAPAL AUDIENCE & WALKING TOUR OF ROME

This morning we transfer to Pope Paul VI Audience Hall for the General Audience with the Holy Father (subject to Vatican

schedule).

This afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour, starting at the Trevi Fountain, where we toss our traditional three coins. From

here we continue to the Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps, affording a romantic panoramic view of the

city of Rome. Our tour continues across the city to the Pantheon and at the Piazza Navona, a popular gathering place for

denizens of Rome. We finish our day with Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church for the closing liturgy of our pilgrimage.

Tonight we celebrate with a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 9: RETURN

We transfer to the Rome airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there might be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this

itinerary due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to final church schedules.

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