SHRINES of ITALY June 10 - 19, 2019 $3,989 from New York (JFK) *Add-On Airfare Available As Per Optional Post Tour to Florence and Venice
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Join Fr. Dan Thelen on a Pilgrimage to the SHRINES OF ITALY June 10 - 19, 2019 $3,989 From New York (JFK) *Add-On Airfare available as per www.206tours.com/airports* Optional Post Tour to Florence and Venice June 19 - 23, 2019 | $1,079 www.pilgrimages.com/frthelen With Visits to: Rome (Papal Audience • Trevi Fountain / Piazza Navona • Basilica of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major • Holy Steps • Vatican Museum Appian Way • Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls • Catacombs - Monte Cassino • San Giovanni Rotondo Monte Sant’ Angelo (View incorrupt body of Padre Pio) • Lanciano • Assisi (The Life of a Saint that inspired a Holy Father) • Gubbio • La Verna SAMPLE DAY - BY - DAY ITINERARY Day 1, Mon, June 10 Depart for Rome Day 8, Mon, June 17, Assisi (The Life of a Saint, that inspired a Holy Father) Make your way to your local airport to board your overnight flight(s). Dinner and breakfast This morning, enjoy breakfast followed by a full day of touring the hometown of St. Francis. will be served on board. St. Francis is the “Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment.” Additionally, he is responsi- ble for founding the Franciscan Order, and the inspiration for our Holy Father, Pope Fran- Day 2, Tue, June 11, Arrival in Rome cis. He chose his name in admiration of the Saint of Nature, and Servant to the Poor. Welcome to Rome, also known as, “The Eternal City.” Upon arrival at Rome airport, you will Known for being a humble man himself, Pope Francis spent most of his life denying the collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival’s hall, where luxuries of life. He preferred to live in simplicity and humility, while giving up all other worldly you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. Make your way to the bus and transfer possessions, just as St. Francis did. As we visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have time to explore Rome on your own. Your captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry, in the tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon meet at the hotel lobby, as early 13th-century. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of St. we will make our way to Church to celebrate Mass, followed by a Welcome Dinner. After Francis at his Basilica and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter’s Square for the Rosary (optional). life, view a few of the saint’s possessions. As the tour continues, visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica. This Basilica is where St. Francis spent most of life, and is made up of two struc- Day 3, Wed, June 12, Rome: Papal Audience – Trevi Fountain / Piazza Navona – Basilica of tures; both of which you will visit. The Porziuncola is where St. Francis founded his order of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major – Holy Steps the Friar Minor (Franciscans), and the Capella del Transito, which is the place of St. Francis’ After a nice breakfast at your hotel, your first sightseeing day in Rome starts! The tour be- death. During this visit, your group will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose gins with the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square! The Audience is celebrated each Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the to pray. Enjoy free time on your own, you may take this time for additional prayer, or shop Papal Audience, we will make our way to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). In the times in the gift shop. The last stop on your tour will be to the Church that honors St. Clare, the of Ancient Rome, this fountain served as the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo, the main foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very aqueduct that supplied thermal baths. Following the Trevi Fountain, continue to the beau- closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Return to the hotel for dinner and over- tiful, Piazza Novona. This square was built on the former Stadium of Domitian that held night. many festivals and sporting events (86 A.D). At the center of this square, stands the Fon- tana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). There are four figures constructed on Day 9, Tue, June 18, Assisi - Gubbio - LaVerna – Assisi this fountain that represent four rivers: the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la Plata. After breakfast, we will drive through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Gubbio. Enjoy Next, you may enjoy free time for lunch, followed by a visit to the oldest of the four major this medieval town with a visit of St. Francis Church, were we will be celebrating Mass. basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the After Mass we will visit a town that seems painted onto the hill, a succession of backdrops Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome, and where he against which towers and houses stand out, all embraced by walls. The town has been officiates as the Bishop of Rome. Next, we will cross the street to visit the Holy Staircase. freed by St. Francis from a terrible and fierce wolf who afflicted it. After lunch, on your Tradition states that this staircase is from Pontius Pilate’s palace of Jerusalem during the own, we will continue to La Verna, this is the place where St. Francis, over the years, has time of Jesus. It is also said that this Staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th been seven times and the last time in 1224 where he received the stigmata. Here you will century. If time permits, you may climb the steps on your knees, in memory of Christ’s be able to pray in the Chapel of the Stigmata, the Basilica and the Chapel of Saint Mary agonizing Passion. To conclude your day, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major of the Angels. You will also be able to admire the beautiful artworks of Andrea della Rob- and celebrate Mass. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. bia. Return to Assisi for dinner and overnight. Following Mass, return to the hotel for dinner and overnight Day 10, Wed, June 19, Return Flights Home Day 4, Thu, June 13, Rome: Vatican Museum – Appian Way - Basilica of St. Paul Outside After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we will leave by motor coach and transfer the Walls - Catacombs to the Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home. This morning enjoy breakfast. We will celebrate Mass at the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter’s Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and POST TOUR TO FLORENCE AND VENICE: Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted Day 10, Wed, June 19, Assisi - Siena – Florence at the ancient site decades ago. At this Basilica, we will have the opportunity to view Breakfast, followed by a scenic drive to the Tuscan city of Siena. This medieval city is the Michelangelo’s Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ birthplace of St. Catherine "Doctor of the Church", and the Apostle of Italy, St. Bernardine. after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Visit of the Basilica of St. Catherine (which is also known as the Basilica of St. Domenico). Continue to proceed to one of the many Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned mu- St. Catherine passed a large part of her life inside the walls of this Basilica. It is here you will seum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Addi- also view the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. After, we will visit the Shrine of St. Catherine, tionally, you will have the opportunity to observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, which occupies the site of her family home. Enjoy our walking tour through the Siena Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. including a visit to its Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). We will conclude at one of Italy's finest The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of St. John Paul II. Afterward, enjoy free squares, the Piazza Del Campo, where you will be given free time to spend at your own time for lunch on your own, or to purchase souvenirs from Vatican City. We will then begin leisure. There are a number of restaurants surrounding the square to have lunch, as well as the short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road will shops for gifts and souvenirs. Continuing to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, you will lead to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the notice immediately that it is the land for art lovers. Some of the most world renowned Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St.