Day 1 
- Depart USA
Day 2
- Arrive Bologna
- Ancona
Day 3
- Loreto
- Assisi
Day 4
- Assisi
- Rome
Day 5
- Papal Audience*
- Vatican
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's
Day 6
- Christian Rome
Day 7
- Imperial Rome
Day 8
- Leisure Day
- Optional Walk of Old Rome
Day 9
- Return to USA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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LEGEND: (M = Aircraft Meals / B = Breakfast / D = Dinner)

Day 1: Saturday, November 13th, 2010: US departure
Depart the U.S. for Bologna, Italy (connection in Paris), and enjoy dinner, drinks and video entertainment onboard as you fly into the European continent. Airfare included from Chicago. IL, and Houston, TX. (Airfare is available from other cities for an additional price. Please call for more information.). Meet Juan Landa (Mater Dei Tour Director) either in Chicago or during your connection at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. (M)

Day 2: Sunday, November 14th: Arrive in Europe, visit Bologna & Ancona. After our connection, arrive in Bologna, collect your luggage and travel to the Basilica of San Domenico where the tomb of the founder of the Dominican Order can be found. A thanksgiving Mass is celebrated here of a safe voyage. After Mass, continue to Ancona on the Adriatic Coast of Italy for dinner and overnight. (M, D)

Day 3: Monday: November 15th: Loreto & Assisi. Start the day with an unforgettable visit to a little piece of the Holy Land at the Marian Shrine of Loreto! See the beautiful Madonna of Loreto and visit the Holy House of Nazareth, where Mary received the Annunciation. Only 3 walls are present because the fourth wall is actually a grotto in Nazareth. Archeological studies have scientifically matched these two places. A pious tradition tells us that the Holy House was transported to Loreto by Angels in order to protect it from invading infidels. This Shrine has been frequented by many Popes and Saints. Holy Mass has been requested at the Holy House. After our visit to Loreto, head west towards Umbria and arrive in Assisi the land of St. Francis and St. Clare. Upon arrival in lower Assisi, enter the “Porziuncula” (small portion: first Franciscan House) and receive the indulgence offered by the Church. Then see the Transit Chapel, the place where St. Francis passed into eternal life, and view the famous thornless rose garden. All these places can be found within the stunning St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, the Head Church of the Franciscan Order. After this visit, proceed to your hotel in Assisi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4: Tuesday, November 16: Assisi and Rome. Start the day with Holy Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. Then enjoy a guided walking tour of Assisi including the Lower and Upper Basilicas of St. Francis filled with world famous Giotto frescoes that depict the lives of Jesus and St. Francis, as well as other saints. Visit the tombs of St. Francis and his disciples. Visit other important sights such as the place of St. Francis’ birth, his home, also the remains of St. Clare and the famous Cross of San Damiano at the Church of St. Clare. After the Assisi tour, relax and enjoy the ride as our pilgrimage approaches the Capital of Italy and ancient home of the greatest empire in western civilization, Rome. Diner in Rome. (B, D) NOTE: Remember to bring all purchased religious articles to the Papal audience the next day for a Papal Blessing.

 
 

Day 5: Wednesday, November 17: Papal Audience & Vatican (Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s).  After breakfast, join pilgrims from all over the world for a once in a lifetime experience, an Audience with Pope Benedict XVI 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 join us for a tour the impressive Museo Vaticano (Vatican Museum) with a fascinating collection of historical artifacts and precious objects of art, including the magnificent Cappella 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). There will be a chance to pay respects to John Paul the Great at his tomb. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Thursday, November 18: Christian Rome. 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. 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 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 Cappella Paolina built by Paul V. Then visit San Giovanni Laterano (St. John Lateran), the Cathedral of Rome (and another one of the Church’s four major Basilicas) originally dedicated to Christ Our Savior, and later to St. John the Baptist and 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 been said that at one point pilgrims could still see the marble with drops of the blood of Christ through these small windows. End our day at ‘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. Mass requested at the catacombs. (B)

Day 7: Friday, November 19th: Imperial Rome Tour. After breakfast, travel to the past to witness the splendor of Imperial Rome! The tour includes a visit inside the famous Flavian Amphitheater (Coliseum) built in 72 AD, flanked on one side by the Arch of Constantine which commemorates his victory just outside of Rome. An event Constantine attributed to a Heavenly vision which prophesied his victory if he would have his army fight under a Christian symbol as their standard in all their shields and banners. The Coliseum is surrounded by the massive Roman Forum. Divided into several sectors constructed by each different emperor. Then from the coach, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour including the first “shopping mall”, the massive Circus Maximus, the Vittorio Emanuel II monument (“wedding cake building” – housing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), Piazza Venezzia with the old Venice embassy (used by Mussolini for his famous speeches), the Capitoline Hill, Caracala Baths and more! (B)

Day 8: Saturday, November 20th: Leisure Day or Optional Walk of Old Rome & Villa Tevere. Enjoy a relaxed day on your own or join us on an informal relaxed walk through the old streets of Rome to see famous and classic places like Castel Sant’Angelo, Bridge of the Holy Angels, Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Depending on local opening hours, visit St. Augustine (housing the remains of St. Monica, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (housing the remains of St. Catherine of Siena), St. Ignatius Church, housing the remains of St. Aloysius, and Gesu Church, housing the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Saturday Mass will be celebrated at one of the churches of Rome. This afternoon depart for the Prelatic Church of Santa Maria della Pace (St. Mary of Peace) where we celebrate our Farewell Mass (Sunday liturgy) and have time for Confessions. Afterwards, join your fellow pilgrims for our farewell dinner at a special place in Rome! (B, D)

Day 9: Sunday, November 21st: Arrivederci Roma! Transfer to the airport this morning for our flight to the U.S.A. As our airplane takes off, we take one last look at the beautiful land that now holds a special place in our hearts, and say Arrivederci Italia!

09 - Day Trip Inclusions:

  • Fr. John Girotti, Rector of the Cathedral of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as Spiritual Director and Chaplain for the Pilgrimage.

  • Roundtrip Air transportation from Chicago or Houston to Italy (per itinerary). Airfare available from other cities. Please call for price difference.

  • Private Motor-coach in Italy with driver for selected tours (some tours require walking).

  • Airport Transfers in Italy (for those flying with the group)

  • Accommodations at 4 stars properties in great locations.

  • 11 Meals (7 Breakfasts & 4 Dinners)

  • Expert local guides on our Vatican Tour, Imperial Rome, Christian Rome and Assisi tours.

  • Admissions to all featured and selected visits of the touring program.

  • Tour program features (for detailed inclusions read the daily itinerary):

  • Visit to Bologna (St. Dominic’s Tomb)

  • Visit to Loreto (Mary’s Nazareth Home)

  • Assisi (Home of St. Francis and St. Clare)

  • Imperial Rome (Coliseum and Forum)

  • Christian Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Holy Steps, Holy Cross of Jerusalem (relics of the Holy Cross), St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls (Tomb os St. Paul).

  • Vatican City including Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s.

  • A leisure walk of Old Rome (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & more)

  • A visit to Villa Tevere.

  • Papal General Audience*
    NOTE: * ALL PAPAL ACTIVITIES ARE PENDING ON THE HOLY FATHER’S SCHEDULE.

  • Tour Director: Juan Landa, from Mater Dei Tours

  • Italian Tour Escort/Translator accompanies group while in Italy.

  • Full documentation packet with luggage tags & re-usable wallet

  • Spiritual program including daily Mass, Rosaries, Meditations, Sacrament of Reconciliation)

  • Hotel sales tax, Italian hospitality taxes & service charges.

Does Not Include:

  • AIRLINE TAXES: US/Europe airport, departure, connection and transportation taxes and fuel surcharges (approximately $475)

  • Tour Guide’s and Motor-coach Chauffeur’s gratuities

  • (See registration for price, terms & Conditions)

 Price: $2175.00*
* (Per person, double occupancy - 2 people in one room. Plus Taxes, Fees & Fuel Surcharges of approximately $475.00 per person)

  • Optional Single Occupancy:  $2555.00 (limited supply)
  • Optional Land Only:  $1825.00 per person based on double room (additional $380.00 for land only single room occupancy)
  • Optional Triple Occupancy:  $2140.00 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 July 30, 2010 or while space lasts)

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

 

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