Pilgrimage to Italy ans Assis 10 Days

Oct 12th to Oct 21st 2026

St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church

Spiritual Directors: Fr. Baby Kuruvilla

St John the Baptist Catholic Church

Spiritual Directors: Fr. John

Depart the USA for your overnight flight to Rome. Dinner

and breakfast will be served on board as you begin your

pilgrimage to the heart of the Catholic faith.

We arrive in the Eternal City of Rome. After meeting your

guide and driver, we begin with a panoramic introduction to

Rome, viewing the ancient walls, the Tiber River, and some

of Rome’s most historic landmarks. We continue toward the

Trevi Fountain, where you may toss a coin to ensure your

return to Rome one day. We then transfer to the hotel for

check-in. Dinner and overnight accommodations in your

hotel in Rome.

In the morning, we participate in the Papal Audience with

Pope Francis (pending the Holy Father’s schedule). After the

audience, we enter the Vatican Museums to see centuries of

breathtaking artwork, including the Maps Gallery, the Tapestry

Gallery, the Raphael Rooms, and finally the magnificent

Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. We then visit St.

Peter’s Basilica, built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter,

where we see masterpieces such as the Pietà. Dinner and

overnight accommodations in your hotel.

We begin today with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major,

which houses relics from the Crib of Bethlehem. From here,

we visit the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs Jesus ascended to

stand before Pontius Pilate.

Pilgrims may ascend the stairs on their knees, following

ancient tradition. We then visit the Basilica of St. John

Lateran, the Pope’s own cathedral. Afterward, we travel

along the historic Appian Way and visit the Catacombs,

where early Christians worshipped in secret and where

many martyrs are buried.

Dinner and overnight accommodations in your hotel.

Today we explore Rome on foot, beginning with Piazza

Venezia and a scenic overlook of the Roman Forum. We

continue to the Pantheon, the best-preserved monument of

ancient Rome, and then visit Santa Maria sopra Minerva,

the church where St. Catherine of Siena is buried. Next, we

visit the Basilica of San Clemente, a unique three-level

church descending back to the 1st century. Our final stop is

the Missionaries of Charity convent founded by Mother

Teresa, where we spend time in quiet prayer. Dinner and

overnight accommodations in your hotel.

We depart Rome for Assisi, the peaceful hometown of St.

Francis and St. Clare. Upon arrival, we visit the Basilica of

St. Mary of the Angels, which contains the Porziuncola, the

small chapel where the Franciscan movement began. We

continue into Assisi to visit the Basilica of St. Francis,

where the saint is buried, and the Basilica of St. Clare,

which contains her tomb and the original San Damiano

Crucifix. We end with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation,

where Blessed Carlo Acutis is buried. Dinner and

overnight in Assisi.

This morning, we travel to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. We

explore the city’s historic center, seeing the Cathedral of Santa Maria

del Fiore (the Duomo), Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Piazza

della Signoria, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. After free time for

lunch, we continue to Loreto. Dinner and overnight accommodations

in Loreto.

We begin with a visit to the Holy House of Loreto, believed to be the

home of the Virgin Mary brought from Nazareth. We then continue to

Lanciano, the site of the first recorded Eucharistic Miracle. Here we

celebrate Mass and view the miraculous Host and Chalice. In the afternoon

we drive to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Padre Pio.

Dinner and overnight accommodations in San Giovanni Rotondo.

We begin by visiting the shrine of Padre Pio, where we see his tomb,

his confessional, and the old church where he lived and served. We

then travel to Monte Sant’Angelo to visit the grotto where St. Michael

the Archangel appeared. Continuing onward, we arrive at Monte Cassino

to visit the great Benedictine Abbey founded by St. Benedict himself.

In the evening, we return to Rome for a farewell dinner. Overnight

in Rome.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight home,

carrying with us the spiritual graces and memories of our pilgrimage

through Italy.