A Pilgrimage to Italy & Greece with FR. ELIMAR ABAD

Arrival in Rome in the afternoon. Celebrate private Mass at one of the Churches. Proceed to the hotel for check-in. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Have an early or boxed breakfast at the hotel. We will now attend the General Papal Audience (if the Pope's schedule is not in conflict with his other Jubilee activities). See The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. We need to register to be able to have a passage at the Holy Door. Celebrate private Mass. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will have a guided tour to visit the Major Basilicas: St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica San Giovanni Laterano. Visit also the Holy Steps. Rest of the time is free at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long-distance drive to Pompeii, the ancient Roman town. Have a guided tour of the city which includes a visit to the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii. St. John Paul II beatified the founder of the shrine, Bartolo Longo. His feast day is Oct 06. Blessed Bartolo, a Third Order Dominican, founded the Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and he also established homes for the poor, the orphans and for the children of people in prison. Entrance to Pompei Excavation (UNSESCO listed) Continue to Naples. Have a guided tour to see the Historic Center, Posillipo, San Martino. Visit the Duomo of Naples. Celebrate private Mass before check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Drive to San Giovanni Rotondo. Have a guided tour to visit the Shrine of St. Padre Pio, which centers on his tomb inside the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Here you can also see his cell, his confessional, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Celebrate private Mass. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast and check-out of the hotel, we will drive to Lanciano to visit the San Francesco Church (Santuario del Miracolo Eucaristico). Celebrate private Mass. Continue our long-distance drive to Loreto. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. We will visit the Basilica of the Sanctuario della Santa Casa di Loreto. Drive to Cascia. Visit the Basilica of St. Rita de Cascia and see the incorruptible body of St. Rita. Continue to Assisi. Have a guided tour to visit the Basilica of St. Francis including the tomb of St. Francis, Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church, and the Santa Chiara Church. Celebrate private Mass. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Drive to Florence, the "flower" of the Renaissance. Have a guided tour which includes views of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), the Baptistery and Giotto’s bell tower. Celebrate private Mass. Have some free time at leisure. Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, have a long-distance drive to Milan. Have a half-day guided tour to visit the Duomo (Cathedral); view of the Sforza Castle, La Scala Theatre and Da Vinci Statue. Have some free time at the Galleria Emmanuelle Vittorio. Celebrate private Mass at the Church of St. Ambrose. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to Milan airport to catch the flight back to Manila.

HOME SWEET HOME!!!