Miracle of the Eucharist A Pilgrimage to Italy with John Edwards

Depart this evening on an overnight flight from JFK to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Add-on flights are available from most major airports upon request.

Welcome to Italy! Our professional English-speaking tour guide meets us at the airport and assists us with luggage and bus boarding. This morning’s drive takes us through the Umbrian hills to the magnificent hilltop town of Orvieto, famous for its wine and the Cathedral, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful. Take a funicular to the town where we see the dodecagon, a rare and unique 12-sided figure in the form of a bell tower, at Sant’ Andrea Church on Piazza della Repubblica. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, where we see the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. We enjoy lunch, tasting Orvieto Classico wine, which this region is famous for. In the afternoon, continue to Assisi for dinner and overnight. (Special lunch with wine. D) 2 nights in Assisi

Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels) to explore the Basilica, including the Porziuncola (the chapel where St. Francis started his order). Continue our pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Francis with a guided visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, where St. Francis’ body is entombed. The church is adorned with beautiful frescoes painted by masters of the high Middle Ages like Giotto and Cimabue. We celebrate Mass in one of the chapels before walking through the Franciscan sites in the medieval part of Assisi. We proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Our last stop of the day is the Sanctuary of the Spoliation to see the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Church of St. Mary Major. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B.D)

We depart for Loreto to see the Holy House of Nazareth transported here from the Holy Land, as tradition tells us. We can view the most reproduced Madonna in the world; the Black Madonna of Loreto. Here we join in the celebration of Mass. Continue to Lanciano to see the Host of Flesh, which is still in one piece and has retained the dimensions of the original. The actual spot of the miracle is located beneath the present-day Tabernacle of the Church of St. Francis. The Eucharistic miracle is preserved in the second tabernacle found on the high altar. The Host, now changed to Flesh, is contained in a silver Monstrance. The wine, now changed to Blood, is contained in a crystal chalice. This is also a pilgrimage site to Our Lady of Mercy. We depart for San Giovanni to see the places associated with the life and work of St. Pio. Overnight and dinner at the hotel in San Giovanni. (B.D) 2 nights in San Giovanni

This morning after breakfast, we visit the Old Church to celebrate Mass. After Mass, we tour the sanctuary to see the crucifix, where St. Pio received the stigmata, and visit the confessional, where St. Pio spent innumerable hours listening to confessions. Next, we board the bus and travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. St. Michael appeared to a Bishop at this grotto to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following our visit to the grotto, we have time to explore independently. We enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the surrounding countryside on the way back to San Giovanni Rotondo. Upon arrival, we have time for devotion and reflection. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni. (B.D)

We depart this morning for Pompeii. Upon arrival, we visit the beautiful Rosary Basilica and celebrate Mass. (TBC) After lunch on our own, we enjoy a two-hour walking tour of the ancient city of Pompeii with a local guide. A thrilling archaeological journey unfolds as we walk through the ancient ruins buried in ashes after Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. We’ll discover the everyday life of Rome’s Imperial age at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Pompeii. Dinner is at the hotel. (B.D) 2 nights in Pompeii

This morning after breakfast, we speed across the bay to the beautiful Isle of Capri, an ancient retreat for Roman emperors and renowned for its beauty ever since. We celebrate Mass at Santo Stefano Capri. Ride the funicular to Capri Village for a guided visit to this pretty town. We can also visit the Blue Grotto (weather permitting and an additional $25/pp) and enjoy free time to explore the little shops on the Piazzetta. Overnight in Pompeii. (B.D)

This morning we travel to Rome. Our first stop is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls before continuing to Tre Fontane Convent to see where St. Paul was beheaded. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Rome. (B.D) 4 nights Rome

After breakfast, we see the Colosseum (outside view) followed by a walking tour including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, St. Ignatius Church to see the rooms of St. Ignatius, St. Monica Church, the tomb of St. Augustine and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where St. Catherine is buried. Our walking tour ends at Piazza Navona. After lunch on your own, we head over to Trinita Dei Pellegrini for Mass. This church was made the parish church for Pope Benedict’s exclusive celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in 2008. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B.D)

Today we are at St Peter’s Square, where we attend the General Papal Audience with Pope Francis. Following lunch, we have an afternoon at leisure to explore Rome on our own or visit the Vatican Museum (be sure to purchase tickets online before your trip). Mass will be celebrated. Dinner is at leisure. (B.L)

This morning we celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Following Mass, we have time to explore the Basilica and visit the Scavi tunnels underneath the church. (TBC). We visit St. Mary Major, St. John the Lateran, and the Holy Stairs after lunch. Tonight’s dinner is at LaLocanda Restorante, where we get to taste the famous and scarce Birra Nursa, the famous beer made by the monks of Norcia. Overnight in Rome. (B, Farewell dinner)

We are transferred to the Rome airport for our flight back to the USA.