8 Day Rome, Assisi, Cascia & Lanciano

DAY 01: North America / Rome.  Depart North America aboard our trans- Atlantic flight.  Dinner and breakfast will be served aloft.

DAY 02:  Arrive Rome.   After arrival in Rome we will be picked up and transferred from airport to hotel. Enjoy a panoramic visit of the city on our way to the hotel.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

DAY 03: Rome.   Early morning transfer to the Vatican to attend the weekly Papal Audience (Wednesday).  After which we visit Moses' Fountain, Roman Forum, Arch of Titus, the Colosseum - site of early Christian martyrdom - and Mamertine Prison, possibly the final place of confinement of the Apostle Paul before his execution.  We then visit Capitoline Hill, St. Peter in Chains, the Pantheon and Quirinale Palace (outside). Return to our hotel for time at leisure.  Dinner at our hotel tonight.

DAY 04: Rome.  This morning our sightseeing will include the Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, Church of St. Peter, and the Basilica of St. Paul.  This afternoon is for activities of your own.  Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. 

DAY 05: Assisi. Depart Rome after breakfast and drive to Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace (attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi)

Upon arrival in Assisi, visit the Church of Santa Maria degliAngeli, containing the famous Porziuncola.  The very ancient chapel, venerated for an apparition of angels within it, was originally property of the Benedictines of Subasio. It was located on a piece of land known as the Portiuncula; this name became attached to the chapel. After a long period of abandonment, it was restored by St. Francis. Here he was given a dear understanding of his vocation. He founded the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home."

In the afternoon, sightseeing tour includes visits to the Church of St. Clare which houses her incorrupt body. One of the chapels contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church”

Afterwards, we will tour the Basilica of St. Francis built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper “ basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto.  Mass will be celebrated here at the Basilica of St. Francis.  Dinner and overnight.

DAY 06:  Cascia / Lanciano

Early morning departure , for our first stop in Cascia to visit the shrine of Santa Ritaand celebrate Mass. Then to Lanciano  to visit the site of the  Eucharistic Miracle The host that turned to flesh and the wine that turned to visible blood in the 8th century.

"Let us devote ourselves entirely to knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we want to know Him. Since love is generally measured by knowledge, the deeper and more extensive the knowledge, the greater will be the love. And if our love is great, we will love Him equally in pain and consolation." - Brother Lawrence

DAY 07: Lanciano /  Rome.

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass.  Then we dive to Rome.  Upon arrival we have some time at leisure for activities of our own.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 

DAY 08:   Rome/   Departure. Early morning transfer to the airport for our flight home- the end of a memorable pilgrimage.