Journal

About the Pilgrimage

We have taken this pilgrimage many times before and it is one of our favorites and a favorite among our pilgrims. Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and we will start in the mountains of the north, through the heartland, along the Adriatic Coast, and all the way to Rome.

We visit the most amazing shrines and churches along the way.

Join Steve & Janet Ray, and Teresa Tomeo and her husband Deacon Dominick on this pilgrimage – but also a culinary and cultural adventure. We will have wine tasting, cooking classes, special guides like Liz Lev and more.

Here is our itinerary. To see videos of our last Saints & Shrines pilgrimage, click HERE.

Steve & Janet Ray Italy Pilgrimage    Planned Tentative Itinerary*

Day 1: Friday, March 18 – Depart USA

Depart USA on overnight flights.

Day 2: Saturday, March 19 – Arrive in Milan

Arrive in Milan, Italy. Meet Steve and Janet Ray along with your local Italian, tour manager. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. If time allowed, visit the Scala (entrance not included) and Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery. Tour the Milan Duomo and celebrate Mass before enjoying a Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Milan.

Day 3: Sunday, March 20 – Milan

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for Milan city center. Tour the Sforzesco Castle and the basilica where the bodies of St. Ambrose, one of the original four Doctors of the Church and the Patron Saint of Milan, and his siblings Saints Gervase and Protase are on display. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica (pending confirmation). Enjoy a group dinner before overnight in Milan.

Day 4: Monday, March 21 – Milan | Pavia | Florence

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Pavia. Tour and celebrate Mass at St. Augustine’s Tomb at the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oroin (pending confirmation). Continue on to Florence. Enjoy a walking tour upon arrival including the Baptistry Doors, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio, where locals sell their leather and gold. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Florence.

Day 5: Tuesday, March 22 – Florence | Cooking Class

This morning tour Santa Croce, a minor basilica in Florence, which This morning, celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Duomo, pending confirmation) followed by a tour of Santa Croce, a minor basilica in Florence, which includes the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Niccolò Machiavelli. Tour the Accademia Gallery. This evening, attend a cooking class to learn about the food of this region followed by a group dinner. Overnight in Florence.

Day 6: Wednesday, March 23 – Florence | Siena | Assisi

After breakfast, say farewell to Florence with a beautiful view from Piazzale Michelangelo. Continue to the city of Siena, a UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Celebrate Mass at St. Catherine of Siena (pending confirmation), followed by a tour. Enjoy a guided tour of the city, including the Piazza del Campo and Church of St. Dominic, where an ornate reliquary displays the head of St. Catherine. Enjoy lunch with a wine tasting before departing for Assisi. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 7: Thursday, March 24 – Assisi

Begin your day celebrating Mass at St. Francis Basilica at the tomb of St. Francis (pending confirmation) followed by a guided tour. Continue to the Basilicas of St. Clare and St. Mary of the Angels. Enjoy lunch on your own before a visit to Eremo delle Carceri di San Francisco. This small hermitage in the hills above Assisi is where St. Francis came during his life to pray and contemplate. Time for reflection. Enjoy dinner on your own and overnight in Assisi.

Day 8: Friday, March 25 – Assisi | Loreto | Manoppello | Lanciano

Depart this morning for Loreto. Visit The Basilica della Santa Casa which is a shrine of Marian pilgrimage in Loreto, Italy. The basilica is known for enshrining the house in which the Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to have lived. Depart for Manapppello to see the face cloth thought to be the Veil of Veronica. Celebrate Mass. Depart for Lanciano for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Saturday, March 26 – Lanciano | San Giovanni Rotondo

This morning in Lanciano, visit the site of the Eucharistic Miracle and celebrate Mass. Depart for San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio. Visit St. Michael the Archangel, the oldest shrine in Western Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 10: Sunday, March 27 – San Giovanni Rotondo | Shrine of Padre Pio | Rome

After breakfast, depart on a guided tour and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Padre Pio (pending confirmation). Tour Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie Church and Convent before departing for Rome. Enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 11: Monday, March 28 – Depart for USA | Optional Rome Extension

Group transfer to the Rome airport for return flights to the USA.

OPTIONAL ROME EXTENSION

Day 1: Monday, March 28 – St. Peter’s | St. Paul Outside the Walls | Catacombs

Begin your day celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Enjoy time for personal exploration of St. Peter’s before a guided tour. Depart for St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four ancient major basilicas in Rome and where his bones are today. Enjoy lunch. Visit the catacombs of St. Sebastian. Enjoy dinner and a special presentation on the Sistine Chapel with guest speaker and art historian, Dr. Liz Lev (pending confirmation). Overnight in Rome.

Day 2: Tuesday, March 29 – Vatican Museums | Sistine Chapel

After breakfast at the hotel, tour the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with Dr. Lev (pending confirmation). Celebrate Mass at Santo Spirito of Sassia. Enjoy the remainder of the day on your own. Overnight in Rome.

Day 3: Wednesday, March 30 – Papal Audience | Walking Tour

Depart early for the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square (pending the Holy Father’s schedule). Enjoy lunch on your own before a walking tour of the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 4: Thursday, March 31 – St. Peter in Chains | San Clemente | Ancient Rome

Begin your day with a guided tour to St. Peter in Chains and celebrate Mass. Tour San Clemente Basilica with the tomb of Apostolic Fathers Ignatius and Clement and see the 1st century Rome excavations. After lunch on own, tour Ancient Rome including the Coliseum, Capitol Hill, the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument, Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 5: Friday, April 1 – Return to USA

Group transfer to the Rome airport for return flights to USA