Day 1 Monday, September 1

Leave US on overnight flight to Rome.

Day 2 Tuesday, September 2

On arrival in Rome, we will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages guide and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Visiting the places of worship over the coming days will allow us to learn about the history of the Catholic church and why Rome is often referred to as the Cradle of Catholicism. This afternoon we will visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome. In the Crypt of the Nativity, we will see the crystal reliquary which contains wood belonging to the Sacred Cradle of Jesus and later have time for private prayer before the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome from plague. As we drive to our hotel, we will have the opportunity to see some of the ancient monuments, evidence that Rome has a history and an appeal like no other city in the world. B

Day 3 Wednesday, September 3

This morning, we will have the opportunity to gather with fellow pilgrims in St. Peters Square to attend the Papal Audience, at the end of which the Holy Father will impart on us his Apostolic Blessing. We will have time at leisure to soak up the wonderful atmosphere of St. Peters Square and in the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, home to masterpieces spanning several millennia, including classical sculptures, Renaissance art, and Egyptian artifacts. Our tour will conclude in the famous Sistine Chapel which boasts some of Michelangelos famous frescoes, considered to be the highlight of Italian Renaissance painting. B,D

Day 4 Thursday, September 4

St. Peters Basilica is without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to artistic masterpieces by artists of the caliber of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. Accompanied by our guide, we will explore the basilica and afterwards have time for prayer at the tombs of the great saints; St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII. In the afternoon we will see some of the famous tourist sites that Rome has to offer. Beginning in the elegant Piazza Navona, we will walk along the quaint cobbled streets that will lead us to the famous Pantheon and Trevi Fountain where we will have time at leisure. B

Day 5 Friday, September 5

This morning, we will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of all churches and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. After a tour of the basilica, we will have the opportunity to climb the Holy Stairs - the steps which led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ climbed on his way to trial. The Holy Stairs attract millions of pilgrims each year who wish to honor the Passion of Jesus Christ. An afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity for shopping and private sightseeing. B

Day 6 Saturday, September 6

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Padre Pios birthplace of Pietrelcina, during which time our guide will recount to us episodes from the early years of Padre Pio and of his childhood dream of becoming a monk Proposed Itinerary Maria Powell Group Italy 2025 with a beard. Our guided tour of the town will take us to the Forgione family home where Francesco (future Padre Pio) was born and the Church of SantAnna where he was baptized. After free time for lunch, we will visit nearby Piana Romana and have time for prayer before the tree before which Padre Pio received the first signs of the stigmata. The picturesque landscape will make for an enjoyable drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. B,D

Day 7 Sunday, September 7

After morning Mass, our guide will take us on a tour of the sanctuary as we will walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo. We will visit the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions before continuing to the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the poor friar who prays as Padre Pio often described himself. Our morning will conclude in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina where there will be time for private prayer before the remains of the great saint of our time. Padre Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and traveled on pilgrimage to the shrine in Monte SantAngelo. During our afternoon drive to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael and have time for private prayer in the sacred cave. B,L,D

Day 8 Monday, September 8

This morning, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to the town of Lanciano. In the Church of St. Francis, we will venerate the relics of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church which date back to the eight century. After free time for lunch we will drive to Manoppello, home to the Basilica of the Holy Face. Relics, considered to be the burial cloths of Christ have been stored for centuries and are scattered throughout Europe however only two of the cloths have images upon them: the Shroud of Turin and the cloth at Manoppello. This afternoon we will venerate the Santo Sudarium, the veil that has been carefully preserved above the altar, which is believed to have been the cloth lain over the head of Christ in the Tomb. Wonderful views of the Adriatic Coast will make for an enjoyable drive to the town of Loreto, home to the Holy House of Nazareth which is undoubtedly the most treasured and venerated shrine of Our Lady throughout the world. According to tradition, the Holy House is part of the Virgin Marys house, which was transported by angels from Nazareth, arriving in Loreto on the 10th of December 1294. We will have a guided tour of the impressive basilica and afterwards have time for private prayer. B

Day 9 Tuesday, September 9

Our morning drive will take us to the Green Heart of Italy to the town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Our walking tour through the medieval town will reveal to us details of the early life of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how both relinquished lavish lifestyles to follow a life of poverty and prayer. Our tour will include visits to the Basilica of St. Clare and Basilica of St. Francis where we will have time for private prayer before the tombs of these great saints. Our visit to Assisi will conclude at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, the resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a great follower of St. Francis of Assisi. This evening, we will visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis realized his true calling and where on Palm Sunday of 1212, he accepted Clare into the Order. We will have time for prayer in the Chapel of the Porziuncola and afterwards see the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died, and the famous Rose Garden where today grows the miraculous roses without thorns. B,D

Day 10 Wednesday, September 10

After breakfast, we will depart Assisi and drive to Florence. Stepping into this magical city soon we will understand why it is often referred to as The Cradle of the Renaissance. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour visiting such sights as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower and the famous Piazza della Signoria, where we will have time at Maria Powell Group Italy 2025 leisure for private sightseeing. Our day will conclude with a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce, the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelzngelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. B

Day 11 Thursday, September 11

Our drive this morning will take us to Milan, the second biggest city in Italy. Our first stop will be the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to the best-known painting in the world, Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and unprecedented masterpiece of art history. In the afternoon we will visit the impressive Duomo, considered the largest and most elaborate Gothic building in Italy with its thousands of intricately carved spires and statues. During our walking tour our guide will tell us of the history and secrets of this wonderful cathedral. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity to enjoy a stroll through this charming city before driving to our hotel. B,D

Day 12 Friday, September 12

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to the airport for our return flight home.

Please note this itinerary is subject to change and should not be considered a contract of events or places to be supplied or visited. Every effort is made to follow the itinerary as set out, however events outside of our control may force alterations.