Pilgrimage to Italy with FR. JASON H. LAGUERTA

Upon arrival in Milan, celebrate private Mass at the Basilica Santa Maria delle Grazie. Proceed to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the time is free on your own. Have dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, 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. Have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have a long-distance drive to Venice. Upon arrival at Venice Tronchetto Terminal, we will have a private boat transfer to Piazza San Marco to have a guided city tour on foot of Venice including entrance to St. Marco Basilica; a photo stop at the St. Mark’s Piazza, Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. Visit the Glass blowing factory. Then have another private boat ride leaving from Tronchetto. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Drive to Padova. Have a guided tour in Padova which includes a visit to the Basilica de San Antonio. Continue to Florence. Have a guided tour on foot of the city of Florence, which includes a visit to the Florence Cathedral (Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore); outside view and photo stop of the Baptistry (Battistero), Piazza Michelangelo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Piazza dela Signoria. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Drive to Pisa. Upon arrival, have a short sightseeing tour on foot (without guide) of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, see the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square. Have some free time for souvenir shopping. Then, we will proceed for a long-distance drive to Assisi. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check out at the hotel, have a guided tour on foot of the city of Assisi. Visit the San Damiano Monastery; Santa Chiara Church; Basilica of St. Francis- Lower (Inferiore), Upper (Superiore); Visit to St. Maria Maggiore – Santuario della Spogliazone to see St. Carlo Acutis; visit also to the Basilica Santa Maria Degli Angeli to see the Thornless Rose bush and Porziuncola Chapel located inside the church. Have a short-distance drive to Cascia. Visit the Basilica of St. Rita de Cascia and see the incorruptible body of St. Rita. Continue to Loreto. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check out at the hotel. Visit the Holy House of Loreto. Drive to Manoppello. Visit the Holy Face of Manoppello located at the Basilica del Volto Santo di Manoppello. Continue for a short drive to Lanciano to have a guided tour and visit the Eucharistic Miracle (St. Legonziano Church). Continue driving to San Giovanni Rotondo. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast and check out at the hotel, have a half-day guided tour on foot to visit the Shrine of St. Padre Pio, and the Church of St. Mary of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Drive to Monte Sant’ Angelo and have a brief city tour on foot (without guide). Visit the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel. Proceed to Rome. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Have a short distance drive to Nettuno. Have a guided tour to visit the place of STA. MARIA GORETTI. Drive to the house of Sta. Maria Goretti for a short visit. Return to your hotel in Rome, dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will begin the pilgrimage (without guide) of the Four of the Seven Jubilee Churches, starting with a visit to Rome’s cathedral; the Basilica of St. John Lateran – the former residence of the popes. Continue to the Scala Sancta (the Holy Stairs) which tradition believes are the steps that Christ climbed when he appeared before Pontius Pilate. This afternoon, enter the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major, where art and spirituality meet. Proceed to visit the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli and have some time to venerate before the chains of St. Peter. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Have an early or boxed breakfast from the hotel. Attend the General Papal Audience at the Vatican. Then have a guided tour to visit the St. Peter Basilica, destination of all Catholics coming from all over the world. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will continue to visit the Three other Jubilee Churches to start with the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls. This was built over the shrine of Saint Lawrence, one of the earliest martyrs of the Catholic Church. Continue to St. Paul Outside the Walls and pause in reverence at the tomb of the Apostle. This afternoon, celebrate Mass at the church of St. Sebastian Outside the walls. Then, follow the steps down to the catacombs underneath the basilica, for a touching visit to the tombs of early Christians, martyrs, and saints. Continue our guided tour to have photo-stops at Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain.

Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Have some free time at your own leisure. Then transfer to Rome airport for our flight back to Manila.

“Home Sweet Home”!!!