Shrines of Italy w/ Fr. Raju and Fr. Sales

Includes:
•Round-trip airfare from San Antonio Int.
•First class hotels
•Daily breakfast and dinner (excludes lunches)
•Transfers, as per itinerary
•Admissions fees, as per itinerary
•Daily Mass
•Professional tour guide
•Prices based on double occupancy (single occupancy available at a supplement of $695)

Day 1: DEPARTURE
Board your flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served aboard your international flight.
Day 2: ROME
We arrive in the beautiful city of Rome. Your guide or escort will greet you at the airport. We will enjoy a short panoramic tour of Rome on our way to the hotel. Enjoy the evening with a welcome dinner alongside your fellow pilgrims.
Day 3: RIETI – LA FORESTA
Rieti is in the region of Lazio, near the border with Abruzzo and Le Marche. It is on the “St. Francis Trail”, where the beloved saint from Assisi passed through and ministered. The area is a contrast to Rome, with lots of sleepy villages, country castles, quiet old monasteries and natural splendor. Approximately 4 km from Rieti is La Foresta Franciscan Sanctuary. St. Francis stayed here in 1225 and it’s believed that this is where he composed the Song of Brother Sun.
Day 4: ASSISI
The namesake of our Pope, St. Francis of Assisi is our main focus today as we begin our tour with a visit to his tomb. We will tour the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and view many of his personal possessions. The crucifix that spoke to him, asking him, “Rebuild my Church.” We will also visit the chapel where St. Francis spent most of his time.
Day 5: SIENA
In the morning, we head to Siena and view the city’s Romanesque Gothic cathedral that was completed in 1380. The Sanctuary of St. Catherine of Siena houses the miraculous crucifix from which she received her stigmata. We walk the shell shaped Piazza del Campo town square which houses the Palazza Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, two of their architectural treasures. We continue on to see the incorrupt relics of St. Catherine of Siena at the Basilica of St. Dominic.
Day 6: FLORENCE – PISA
Today we tour Florence, seeing the Church of The Holy Cross, where Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli are buried. We walk through the Republic Square and tour the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral followed by an afternoon tour of the artwork at L’Accadamia. Here we see Michelangelo’s statue of David and other historic works. We will also make a stop in the Tuscan City of Pisa and tour its famous Leaning Tower.
Day 7: ROME – COLOSSEUM
We begin by seeing the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which contains a relic from the manger. From here, we visit the Scala Sancta, the stairs Christ climbed to stand before Pontius Pilate. Those who wish may climb the stairs, as is the custom, on their knees. The Basilica of St. John Lateran, once the residence for popes, is a marvelous site, as is St. Paul Outside the Walls, which shelters the relics of St. Paul the Apostle. We will also visit the Colosseum, 3-tiered Roman amphitheater once used for gladiatorial games.
Day 8: VATICAN CITY – POPE FRANCIS
Today we begin our morning by attending a papal audience with Pope Francis. After the audience, we visit the Vatican Museums to see centuries of beautiful artwork and artifacts. See the artworks of Michelangelo, such as, the Pieta and the Sistine Chapel. We will explore St. Peter’s Basilica in all of its splendor, built over St. Peter’s tomb. We end the day by visiting the excavated necropolis.
Day 9: MONTECASSINO
Heading south, we pass through the rich Italian country-side of vineyards, orchards and olive groves. We take in the amazing panoramic view as we make our way to Montecassino, a town founded by St. Benedict in 529. While in Montecassino we will tour the Montecassino Abbey.
Day 10: ITALY – USA
We depart Italy on our flight back home, end of services.