DAY 1: Friday 7th March – Arrive to Rome – Transfer to Assisi
Depart in comfort from Stansted Airport, at approximately 08:10hrs with Ryanair. We will be landing in Rome at approximately 11:35pm, with the rest of the day ahead of us.
Our Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet and welcome us all on arrival.
Upon collecting our bags from the carousel, we will be transferred by private coach to the birthplace of St. Francis, the hill town of Assisi in the central part of Italy. Comfort stop along the way for some refreshments.
On Arrival in Assisi we will visit and have Mass in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the cradle of the Franciscan order. The Porziuncola, the chapel of St. Francis’ first community and the chapel of the ‘Transito, where St. Francis died, are both housed here.
Time to check in the Hotel Da Angelo where we will be staying for the next 3 nights on a Half Board
basis. Dinner & overnight.(**Please note this hotel do not avail of a lift. Outdoor swimming pool available)
DAY 2: Saturday 08th March – Assisi
After breakfast today we will start exploring Assisi, beginning with the visit and Mass in the Basilica of St Clare, the foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares. St.Clare followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will continue our day with the visit of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen whose beatification Pope Francis approved in February, known for his gift for computer programming and special love for God. Carlo Acutis Canonisation will take place the following month on April 25th-26th&27th. Free time for lunch and shopping, strolling the cobble-stoned street of this beautiful old town where it seems time has stood still.
Our afternoon will follow with the visit the awe-inspiring 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and his Tomb, the town’s most important sanctuary. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
After a full day time to head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 3: Sunday 09th March – Loreto and Lanciano
After a good breakfast we will make our way to Loreto and Lanciano.
In the 8th Century, a Church in Lanciano was the location for the first and greatest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church. During Holy Mass and as a divine response to a priest who doubted about Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, the host bled and was changed into live flesh, likewise, the wine changed into live blood which later coagulated into five globules. In Loreto we will visit the Holy House, one of the most sacred places in the world. Back to Assisi after a full day for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: Monday 10th March – Rome
After breakfast and check out from the Hotel Da Angelo the group will travel to Rome. On arrival we will have time for lunch and a tour of St Peter Basilica, Square and the Holy Door. (waiting to see the Jubilee Program by the Vatican).
The Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its titular, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Antioch and later the first Bishop of Rome, rendering him the first Pope. Time for Mass and check in the hotel Milani where we will be staying for the next 3 nights on a Half Board Basis. Free time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Tuesday 11th March
Today after breakfast we will be picked up from the hotel and start our walking tour of Rome main sites. We will be visiting, (from the outside), and walking around the most famous amphitheatre of Rome, the Colosseum, we will be learning about the Roman Forums, Piazza Venezia, and we will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the former Roman temple “Pantheon” and Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome.
Time for Mass and to head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 6: Wednesday 12th March – Papal Audience
After breakfast today we will spend the morning participating at the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings from the successor of the Apostle Peter during their visit. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English.
Our day will follow with lunch and the visits of two of the major Papal basilicas: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran. Mass and back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: Thursday 13th March – Rome and flight back home
Today is the last day of this Holy Pilgrimage
After a good breakfast and check out we will be picked up from the hotel at around 8:30-9am.
We will be transferred to Piazza della Repubblica for free time and lunch.
Between 11:00 and 12:00 we will visit and have Mass at the English College (TBC). The Venerable English College is a Catholic seminary in Rome for the training and education of priests. It serves as a residence for clerical students from all over the world. At approximately 14:00hrs our last pick up to go back to the airport for our afternoon flight back to London Stansted departing at 17:45hrs.
