Christian destinations

Assisi

Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis. A sightseeing tour this morning will take you to the massive Franciscan Convent and the two-storied basilica which was built over his tomb. Both structures are decorated with famous frescoes, notably those of Giotto and Cimabue, which mirror the works and simple life of St. Francis.

The Vatican

The Vatican has its own flag and national anthem, mints its own coinage, prints its own postage stamps, has its own polyglot daily newspaper and is an independent state ruled by the Pope, the only absolute sovereign in Europe. All these activities take place in an area just over 100 acres, a considerable part of which is taken up by St. Peter's, the worlds’ largest basilica in the worlds’ smallest state. Your guided tour will include a visit to the Vatican Museum displaying wondrous treasures assembled over hundreds of years, and the glorious Sistine Chapel which features Michelangelo’s famed ceiling frescoes.

Papal Audience in Vatican City (every Wednesday when the Pope is in Rome). Following the audience, visit the Vatican Museums consisting of a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with artistic treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We will have some time at leisure to explore your own paths, to shop or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.

Christian Rome

This morning we depart on a sightseeing tour with a focus on "Christian Rome". While touring we will see many important cultural and monumental sights. Stop for a visit at three major Basilicas: St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. It is a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus.

The Basilica of the St John is the former residence of the Popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. St Paul outside the Walls is famous for containing the remains of St Paul. We will also see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, The Arch of Drusus, Chapel "O'Domine Quo Vadis", The Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution.

After celebrating Mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, we tour the sanctuary to see the old church and the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918. You will see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different Popes, St Francis and at least four other saints have knelt in prayer at this grotto seeking the protection of St Michael. Return to San Giovanni for devotions, reflection and a restful overnight.

Siena

Siena is the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine and one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. Here we will stroll the Piazza Del Campo, one of Italy’s finest squares and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St. Francis, containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained intact since 1730.

Into France...

As you approach Chartres, you will see the same awesome vista that has greeted pilgrims for centuries: a towering cathedral. It is something of a mystery, why so magnificent a cathedral, one that set the standard for Gothic cathedrals all over Europe, sprang up so far from any major commercial centre. Chartres has always been a place of pilgrimage and worship. Churches have stood on the same spot as an earlier cathedral for almost two millennia. The present cathedral of Chartres was initiated by the bishop of Chartres, Saint Fulbert, when fire destroyed an earlier structure in 1020. The cathedral is famous for its sensitively carved figures. The main or "royal" portal dates from the mid 12th century and is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. In hundreds of Naive sculpted figures, the three doors depict Christ's birth, ascension and Second Coming. Inside the cathedral, two features are particularly outstanding: the beautiful choir screen and the sublime stained-glass windows. While the town surrounding the cathedral has grown greatly over the centuries, it is still quite charming.

Sacre Coeur Basilica

The Sacre Coeur Basilica was built at the end of the 19th century and became a holy place of Catholic devotion to the Holy Virgin Mary in Paris.

Continue to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal where on July 18th 1830, the Holy Virgin appeared to Catherine Labouré. On November 28th, the Holy Virgin entrusted Catherine with the miraculous medal. At the time of Catherine's death, two billion miraculous medals had already been made.

Lourdes

In 1858, in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl. She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto. No fountain was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify. Lourdes has become the most famous modern shrine of Our Lady.