Day 1 - Monday, April 20 Depart Boston
Our pilgrimage begins as we gather at Logan Airport for our afternoon overnight flight to Rome. As we lift off into the evening sky, we begin a sacred journey of faith, prayer, and discovery, bringing with us the intentions of loved ones and our hopes for grace and renewal in the days ahead. Day 2 Tuesday, April 21: Arrival in Rome Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
Upon arrival at Fiumicino airport, we will be met by our Marian Pilgrimages guide and drive to the Basilica of St. Paul, outside the Walls which stands on the site that tradition indicates as that of the burial place of the Apostle Paul, the saints tomb being under the papal altar. After a guided tour of the basilica, we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage. As we drive into the centre of Rome, passing by the ancient monuments, we will see evidence that Rome has a history and an appeal like no other city in the world. After lunch, we will check into our hotel and have the afternoon to relax before dinner. Day 3 Wednesday, April 22: Papal Audience & St. Peters Basilica
This morning, we will 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 Blessing. St. Peters Basilica is one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to artistic masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. Today we will explore the basilica and afterwards have time for prayer before the tombs of the great saints; St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII. After free time for lunch, we will embark on a guided walking tour of Rome. Beginning at Trevi Fountain we will walk through the quaint cobbled streets passing by the Pantheon before arriving in the beautiful Piazza Navona. From here we will visit the Colosseum with a guided tour. Return to the hotel for rest and Dinner Day 4 Thursday, April 23: St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran & the Holy Stairs
The Basilica of St. Mary Major is the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and home to the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome and before which Pope Francis would pray before embarking, and upon returning from each international Apostolic journey. After the celebration of Mass, we will venerate this precious image and spend time in prayer at the Tomb of Pope Francis. The Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of all churches and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo, will be the next stop on our pilgrimage in the Eternal City. After free time for lunch we will enjoy a guided tour of the basilica before walking to the nearby Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, which houses the Sancta Sanctorum, the old chapel of the Popes, and the Holy Stairs which according to tradition are 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 honour the Passion of Jesus Christ. Day 5 Friday, April 24: Pietrelcina Birthplace of Padre Pio
After breakfast we depart the Eternal City as we drive through the countryside to the town of Pietrelcina, we will hear of Padre Pios years in his native town and of his desire from an early age to become a monk with a beard. Our walking tour of the town which will include visits to the Forgione Family home where baby Francesco (future Padre Pio) was born and the Church of SantAnna where he was baptised, will conclude at the Church of the Holy Family where we will celebrate Mass before continuing our drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home to Padre Pio for over fifty years. Day 6 Saturday, April 25: Shrine of St. Michael, English Office & Padre Pios Sanctuary
As we drive this morning to the town of Monte SantAngelo, home to the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the Archangel Michael, we will hear of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael in the Gargano and celebrate Mass in the sacred cave. Time at leisure will give us the opportunity to walk through the cobbled streets of this quaint town with its quaint, whitewashed houses. The English Office was founded by Fr. Alessio Parente to welcome English-speaking pilgrims arriving in San Giovanni Rotondo. After lunch we will visit the English Office and learn more of the life of Padre Pio before receiving a blessing with the glove and crucifix used by the humble friar. Our guided tour of the sanctuary will allow us to walk in the footsteps of Padre Pio during his years in San Giovanni Rotondo as St. Mary of the Nativity Italy 2026 we visit the ancient Church of Our Lady of Grace where Padre Pio celebrated Mass and heard confessions before continuing onto the capuchin friary, where we will learn more about the poor friar who prays as Padre Pio often described himself. Our day 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. This evening, we will have dinner in a local restaurant serving typical dishes with fine local produce. Day 7 Sunday, April 26: Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano & Arrival in Assisi
After breakfast, we will depart San Giovanni Rotondo and drive to the town of Lanciano. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Francis and afterwards venerate the relics of the first Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic church. The wonderful scenery of the Green Heart of Italy will make for an enjoyable afternoon drive to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of Carlo Acutis. In the valley beneath the town of Assisi lies the imposing 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. After our visit to the basilica, we will check into our nearby hotel and have time to relax before dinner. Day 8 Monday, April 27: Assisi Saints Francis, Clare & Carlo Acutis
After morning Mass, we will drive to the town of Assisi. Our local guide will accompany us on a walking tour of the medieval town, recounting to us episodes in the life of both St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and how both relinquished lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of poverty and prayer. Our morning will conclude at the Basilica of St. Francis where we can admire the impressive frescoes and later have time for prayer at the tomb of the Poor Man of Assisi. The name Carlo Acutis became known throughout the world when on the 10th of October 2020, in the presence of his parents and siblings, he was beatified in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like St. Francis of Assisi was not impressed by material things. After free time for lunch, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, the resting place of the first millennial beatified, and future saint, and where the young Francis of Assisi publicly relinquished his lavish lifestyle. In this place of great significance, we will hear more of the life of Carlo Acutis and have time for private prayer at his Tomb. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will allow time for shopping and private sightseeing. Day 9 Tuesday, April 28: Siena St. Catherine of Siena
We will celebrate morning Mass before departing Assisi for the Tuscan town of Siena. Starting in the vibrant Piazza del Campo, our guided walking tour which will take us through the ancient streets of this medieval town. Sitting atop Siena's highest point and visible for miles around, we will visit the Cathedral, embellished with great art including works of Michelangelo and Bernini. Our tour will take us to the Shrine of the house of St. Catherine where we will hear of the austere lifestyle the young Catherine chose to follow, and the great works of charity which earned her the title of The Lady with the Lamp. We will have time at leisure for private prayer before continuing our drive to Florence. Day 10 Wednesday, April 29: Florence Renaissance & Sacred Art
After morning Mass, we will meet our guide who will take us on a walking tour of Florence visiting such sights as the Church of Santa Maria Novella, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower, and the famous Piazza della Signoria where we will have time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Uffizi Gallery, known worldwide for its collections of ancient sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the Modern-day period. The collections of paintings from the 14th century and Renaissance period include such masterpieces by Giotto, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, to name but a few. Day 11 Thursday, April 30: Orvieto Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena
After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the town of Orvieto. The cable car that will take us to the medieval town will provide us with wonderful views of the majestic Umbrian plains. After free time for lunch, we will celebrate Mass in the cathedral, the towns most famous landmark and afterwards see the linen bearing the spots of blood which date back to the Eucharistic Miracle that took place in Bolsena in 1263. We will return by cable car back to our coach and continue our drive to Rome when, upon arrival, we will check into our rooms and have time to relax before our Farewell Dinner. Day 12 Friday, May 1: Return to Boston
This morning, we will check out of our hotel and drive to Fiumicino airport for our return flight as we return to our homes, filled with a sense of tranquillity, rejuvenation, and peace in our hearts.