witness the lives of the saints You’re invited on a pilgrimage to the saints & shrines of italy May 16-26, 2022 Basilica of St. Clare, which holds the famous San Damiano Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis, and where the golden locks of St. Clare’s a truly catholic pilgrimage hair and St. Francis’ poor patched tunic are kept. This afternoon we will travel up Mt. Subasio to L’Eremo delle Carceri (the Carceri Hermitage), St. Francis’ favorite retreat center, where he could Tekton Ministries has been leading Catholic pilgrimages for more than remain in seclusion and prayer. Enjoy some personal prayer time in 20 years. Working closely with your priest to create thoughtfully planned this peaceful location before enjoying a dinner out together at a local itineraries, we help make the Catholic faith more tangible to your daily winery. (B/D, Mass) life by taking you to the heart of our Mother Church today. Although we visit more than 50 sites in this holy and historic region, daily Mass and l Day 4 - Thursday, May 19 time for prayerful reflection are important parts of each day’s experience. Assisi / Day trip to Siena: Eucharistic Miracle, St. Dominic’s, Piazza del Campo We use only experienced Christian or Catholic guides, so you receive The home of St. Catherine of Siena beckons as we venerate the great Eucharistic Miracle of Siena at the Basilica of St. Francis on our day truthful explanations of scripture and the places we encounter. When trip from Assisi. Thieves stole a container of consecrated Hosts, which the disciple Philip asked the Eunuch (who was reading Isaiah) if he were later found in the church’s offertory box. They were reverently understood what he was reading, the man responded, “How can I, unless collected and have remained incorrupt since 1730. We then visit the someone guides me?” (Acts 8:35) Just as Philip guided the Eunuch with Basilica of St. Dominic where St. Catherine attended daily Mass and “the good news of Jesus,” your Tekton pilgrimage will guide you into a went into spiritual ecstasy. Inside, the Chapel of Vaults holds the only deeper understanding of the Scriptures. Our prayers, service, and love of portrait of the saint painted while she was alive. Some of her relics our Lord go with you. are also here to venerate. Adjacent to the church is the home where she lived, fasted, and prayed. We take a stroll through the ancient streets of Siena, which converge on the Piazza del Campo known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world with its soaring bell l Day 1 - Monday, May 16 tower and unique shell-like shape. We’ll enjoy some time for personal Depart USA activities before returning to Assisi for our last night in this peaceful Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Rome. town. (B/D, Mass) Meals and refreshments will be served aloft. l Day 2 - Tuesday, May 17 Orvieto Cathedral Arrive Rome / Assisi Upon arrival at the airport in Rome, we are met by our tour manager who will be with us for the duration of our pilgrimage in Italy. We travel north on a beautiful drive through the Umbrian countryside to Assisi, the picturesque town made known by the piety and works of St. Francis and St. Clare. We visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, the site of the beloved Porziuncola the tiny chapel rebuilt by St. Francis and his fellow friars after Francis took the commandment from the Lord to “rebuild my church” literally, and where St. Clare began her life as a nun. Afterwards, we check-into the hotel that is our home for the next three nights. There is some free time before dinner in this peaceful and medieval town. (D) l Day 3 - Wednesday, May 18 Assisi - San Damiano, Basilica of St. Francis, Monte Subasio Witness where the power of the Eucharist turned away an army. The invading Saracen army was about to attack the Convent of San Damiano where St. Clare lived with her nuns in 1241. Even though l Day 5 - Friday, May 20 bed-ridden, St. Clare got up and held the Blessed Sacrament in the air Assisi / Orvieto / Rome and saw the advancing army flee in terror establishing “The Miracle Fall in love with Orvieto, a walled town high on a hill that holds one of of the Eucharist of Assisi.” Also in the convent, we will visit the chapel the greatest Eucharistic Miracles in its cathedral. In nearby Bolsena, where Jesus spoke to St. Francis from the crucifix, then visit the a priest doubted the Eucharistic Presence during Mass and the host Basilica of St. Francis to venerate his burial place. Afterwards is the turned to real flesh and the wine to real blood during the consecration. The priest brought the blood-stained Corporal to Pope Urban in Orvieto, and it is now kept in a special reliquary for the faithful to view. It was Basilica of St. Francis - Assisi also in Orvieto where Pope Urban IV called for a world-wide Feast of Corpus Christi. The Cathedral of Orvieto has striking similarities to the beautiful Duomo in Florence with its unique exterior. Inside is the Signorelli Chapel that holds some of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the world. Afterwards we travel to Rome, our home for the next six nights. (B/D, Mass) l Day 6 - Saturday, May 21 Rome - Mamertine Prison, Forum, St. Clement’s, St. Peter in Chains, St. Mary Major We go to the heart of ancient Rome to the Mamertine Prison where St. Paul was kept in chains for his preaching of the Gospel. We have outside visits to the Forum, an ancient Roman marketplace, and the Coliseum, before visiting St. Clement’s Basilica. Built over the home Trastevere District with medieval cobblestone streets and religious of the fourth Pope, it holds great historical significance especially in shrines decorating doorways. The main square is dominated by its ancient fresco depicting Eucharistic worship at the end of the first the 12th century Basilica di Santa Maria, a church full of classical century. At St. Peter in Chains, we see the actual chains that held wonders from glittering mosaics to the relics of the Holy Sponge and St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Rome and view Michelangelo’s St. Apolonia. Our day continues with a visit to the Basilica di Santa magnificent statue of Moses. At St. Mary Major we venerate the crib Cecilia built atop her former home. One of the earliest martyrs of of Christ, view the famous icon painting attributed to St. Luke, and Rome, St. Cecilia survived a near-decapitation for three days and was see inestimable artwork that makes Rome renowned throughout the the first saint whose body was found to be incorrupt. Enjoy a walking world. (B/D, Mass) tour of some of Rome’s other famous sites, including the Piazza Navona, with Bernini’s lavish fountains, and the Pantheon with its unique dome that inspired Michelangelo. Guarantee another visit to Rome by throwing the traditional coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. Enjoy dinner out on your own this evening in one of Rome’s many delightful restaurants. (B, Mass) l Day 10 - Wednesday, May 25 Rome - Papal Audience, St. Lorenzo This morning, we join thousands of other pilgrims for a Papal Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica to hear the Pope’s words and receive his blessing – as his schedule allows. Afterwards, travel to St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, commemorating the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, one of the first deacons of Rome. Peek through one of the grates under the altar and you might see some of the ancient tunnels that led to a catacomb where he was first buried. The remains of the martyrs St. Justin and St. Stephen are also beneath the altar. This St. Mary Major gem of a church also holds the body of Pope Pius IX who declared the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Visit the NAC – the North American College, where many seminarians from the US study l Day 7 - Sunday, May 22 for the priesthood, before sharing in a farewell dinner together at a Rome - St. Paul’s tomb, Catacombs, Santa Maria in Vallicella, local restaurant this evening. (B/D, Mass) Sant’Agostino Our morning begins at St. Paul Outside the Walls, the great church l Day 11 - Thursday, May 26 built by Constantine over the tomb of St. Paul. We journey into the Rome / U.S.A. lives of the martyrs as we visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. Here Today we say “Ciao” to Italia and transfer to the airport for our return Christians celebrated the Mass in secret and buried the martyrs, flight home, cherishing all of the wonderful memories and graces of including several popes. This afternoon we visit Santa Maria Vallicella this pilgrimage. (B) the mother church of the Oratorians founded by St. Philip Neri in B=Breakfast D=Dinner 1561. See its vaulted ceilings painted in golds and heavenly blues with outstanding frescos. Afterwards, we visit Sant’Agostino, built in honor *Please note that all rates and services are subject to availability and confirmation. of St. Augustine. It holds the tomb of his steadfast and faithful mother, We cannot be responsible for any increase in these rates or changes in services or flight and land arrangements in the event that government regulations St. Monica. This evening, enjoy dinner out on your own in one of change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.