Day
5: Friday, November 14th: Christian Rome (Part #1):
After
breakfast, embark on an unforgettable excursion of the treasures of our
faith. First, travel south down the ‘Via
Apia’
(Apian Way) for a
powerful journey experiencing how our early brothers and sisters survived
and persevered in preserving our Lord’s Church. Tour through an amazing
complex of underground tunnels
with an unending number of crypts, mausoleum tombs and chapels that fill
every passageway that comprise the
Catacombs of St. Callixtus.
One of the highlights of this visit will be the place where the body of
St. Cecilia was found. A very realistic statue that marks
this place portrays the way her body laid, giving a final and resounding
testimony to the Blessed Trinity at the time of her death.
Holy
Mass
is scheduled at the Catacombs complex. Then visit the
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the 4 Patriarchal
Basilicas of the Church. Although mostly rebuilt in the 19th
century, this Basilica conserves the shape of the original St. Peter’s
Basilica. In addition to having portraits of every Pope, St. Paul Outside
the Walls is most famous for housing the remains of St. Paul
(the Holy Father has announced a plenary indulgence for pilgrims visiting
this Basilica during the year of St. Paul). After this visit,
travel to St. Mary Major (another one of the 4 Patriarchal
Basilicas) where you can see relics of the Manger from Bethlehem.
Commissioned in the year 360AD approximately, Santa Maria is the first
Basilica to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Snows). The
famous icon of Mary, Health of the Roman People, believed to be
painted by St. Luke, can be found in the beautiful Capella Paolina
built by Paul V. Afterwards, if time allows, those who have a devotion to
‘Our Mother of Perpetual Help” can join the tour director to view
the original icon (also accredited to St. Luke – one block away from St.
May Major). (B)
Day 6: Saturday, November 15th:
Imperial Rome:
Today, enjoy a tour
of
Rome’s
imperial monuments,
including a visit inside the famous Coliseum (Flavian Amphitheater)
built in 72 AD, flanked on one side by the Arch of Constantine and
surrounded by the massive Roman Forum. Walk the ruins of
the old streets of Rome and visit the Mamertinum, the place where
Peter and Paul where imprisoned (this place is frequently closed). From
the coach, see the massive Circus Maximus, the Vittorio Emanuel
II monument (“wedding cake building” – housing the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier), Piazza Venezzia (featuring the old Venice embassy
building, used by Mussolini to give his famous speeches) and the
Capitoline Hill. Holy Mass at St. Pietro in Vincoli (St.
Peter in Chains), housing the chains with which Peter was shackled in the
Mamertine Prison. This church also has the famous statue of Moses
by Michelangelo.
Remainder of the
day is at leisure. Dinner on your own tonight.
(B)
Day 7: Sunday, November 16th:
Sunday Angelus address, prayer and blessing by Pope Benedict XVI, and
optional walking tour of Rome’s Monuments:
Start the day with an early morning Mass at St. Peter’s
Basilica,
the 3rd Patriarchal Basilica we have seen on our pilgrimage so
far. After the Mass, proceed to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament for a
Holy Hour. Afterwards,
go
under the main Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica to visit the Crypt
of St. Peter, where the remains of St. Peter, the first Pope lay,
surrounded by the tombs of many Popes. Here there will be a chance to pay
respects to John Paul the Great at his tomb. Then go to
outside to St. Peter’s Square for a brief explanation of the square and
its history. Pray the Holy Rosary in the square while we wait for the Holy
Father to appear outside his Papal apartment window to hear his message
and pray with him the Angelus prayer. Afterwards, you may
opt to join a free optional walk through the old streets of Rome to see
famous and classic places like Piazza Navona, The Pantheon,
Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. If time allows, visit St. Ignatius
Church, housing the remains of St. Aloysius, and Gesu Church, housing the
tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola. (B)
Day 8: Monday, November 17th
Christian Rome (Part II):
Continue today
our tour of Christian Rome with a visit to
San Giovanni Laterano
(St. John Lateran),
the Cathedral of Rome and another one of the Church’s four major
Basilicas. Holy Mass
is celebrated
here. Originally dedicated to Christ Our Savior, then to
St.
John the Baptist, then to St. John the Evangelist.
Adjoining is the Lateran Palace which was the official residence of the
Popes before the Avignon captivity.
Afterwards, visit the ‘Scala
Sancta’ (Holy Stairs)
where you may climb the same steps Our Lord climbed on the way to see
Pontius Pilate. The climb may only be done on your knees. Approximately
on every 5 steps, a small circled glass window allows the pilgrim to see
the real marble steps below the wooden protective cover. It has being said
that at one point pilgrims could still see the marble with drops of the
blood of Christ through these small windows. Continue on to
‘Santa Croce in Gerusalemme’
(Holy Cross of Jerusalem), where incredible relics can be
found (fragments of the Holy Cross, one Nail, part of the inscription
INRI, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, fragments of the pillar of the
scourging and of the rock of the Holy Sepulcher). We owe these
beautiful relics, including the Holy Stairs, to St. Helena, the mother of
Rome’s first Christian Emperor, Constantine. Enjoy a group dinner
tonight. (B, D)
Day 9: Tuesday, November 18th:
Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s:
Tour the impressive
Museo Vaticano (Vatican Museum) with a
fascinating collection of historical artifacts and precious objects of
art, including the Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel)
with the famous Michelangelo frescoes featuring the Last
Judgment. Afterwards,
tour
the largest Church in the world, the Basilica di San Pietro
(St.
Peter’s Basilica).
Holy Mass celebrated in a chapel at the Crypt
of St. Peter.
Time for lunch and shopping follows (remember to bring all these religious
articles to the Papal audience the next day). Remainder of the day at
leisure. (B)
Day 10: Wednesday, November 19th:
Papal Audience, Villa Tevere and Farewell Dinner:
After breakfast, join pilgrims from all over the world for a once in a
lifetime experience, an Audience with the Pope at the
Vatican (pending on the Holy Father’s schedule). After the Pope’s
message, the Holy Father will impart his blessing on you and your family
(bring your personal religious articles – rosaries, etc…- as they will be
blessed too). After the audience, return to the hotel for packing time.
This afternoon depart for the Prelatic Church of Santa Maria
della Pace (St. Mary of Peace) where we celebrate our Farewell Mass
and have time for Confessions. Afterwards, enjoy a memorable farewell
dinner with your new family. (B, D)
Day 11: Thursday,
November 20th: Return to U.S.A.:
Board your coach
to the Fiumicino Airport. Say ‘ciao, ciao’ to our escort
and board the plane bound for the USA. As our airplane takes off, take
one last look at a beautiful land that now holds a special place in our
hearts, and say Arrivederci Italia! (B, M)
Upon arrival in the USA, clear US Immigrations and Customs.
Welcome Home!
11 -
Day Trip Inclusions:
-
Non-Stop Air transportation from Chicago and Italy
(per itinerary) Airfare available from other cities. Please call for
price difference.
-
Private Motorcoach in Italy with driver for featured tours.
-
Airport Transfers in Italy (for those flying with the group)
-
Baggage Porterage (1 checked bag per person)
-
Accommodations in Assisi and Rome
-
Papal audience (*pending on the Holy Father's schedule)
-
Professional Licensed Tour Manager throughout your stay
-
Expert guides on featured walking & coach tours
-
Touring program (admissions to featured visits).
-
14 Meals (9 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner)
-
Full documentation packet with luggage tags & re-usable wallet
-
Spiritual program including daily Mass in unforgettable places (Rosary,
Meditations, Sacrament of Reconcilliation) (Note: Mass arrangements may
change slightly from original schedule)
-
Fr. William Vernon, Roman Catholic Priest from the Diocese of
Madison, WI as Spiritual Director
-
Tour Director: Juan Landa, from Mater Dei Tours
-
Hotel sales tax, Italian hospitality taxes & service charges.
Does Not Include:
-
Taxes: US/Europe airport, departure, transportation taxes and fuel
surcharges (approximately $359.00)
-
Tour Guide's and Motorcoach Chauffeur's gratuities
-
Optional Tour: Florence (see registration for details)
|
Price:
$2399.00*
* (Per person,
double occupancy - 2 people in one room. Plus Taxes, Fees & Fuel Surcharges of approximately
$359.00 per person)
- Optional Single Occupancy: $2799.00 (limited supply)
- Optional Land Only: $2099.00 per person based on double
room (additional $400.00 for land only single room occupancy)
- Optional Triple Occupancy: $2379.00 per person based on
triple room occupancy (3 people sharing one room)
- Deposit of
$500 per person is due to secure space (no later than August
01, 2008 or while space lasts)
- Balance is
due on September 01, 2008
Cancellation
Schedule:
- All Cancellations
must be received in writing!
- 95 days prior to
departure or before...................$300.00 per person
- 94 to 65 days
prior to departure.........................$50% of tour cost
- 64 to 35 days
prior to departure ........................$75% of tour cost
- 34 to 0 days prior
to departure .......................No Refunds
|
To
avoid penalties in case of emergencies, we highly recommend travel
insurance!
For travel insurance
rates -
Please
Click Here
Landa-Cleary
Travel Company, Inc., is not an insurance agency.
Brochure (PDF) |
Registration |
Home |
Insurance
a’
(the first Franciscan house), the Transit Chapel (where St. Francis
died), and the thorn-less rose garden, all inside the stunning
St. Mary of the Angels Basilica (the Head Basilica of the Franciscan
Order). Afterwards, travel through the beautiful Umbria region and arrive
at