Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival your escort will warmly greet you this morning and welcome you to Italy. Visit magnificent Duomo Cathedral of Milan. This cathedral is the largest in Italy and is a symbol of faith and art which spans over six centuries. Buried here is St. Charles Borromeo. Continue to Pollone which was the site of the Frassati family’s summer home. Bl. Frassati would often sacrifice his vacations at this beautiful place because, as he said, “If everybody leaves Turin, who will take care of the poor?” In this place that was so special to the Frassati family, we will take time for prayer, the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration to grow in our faith as modeled by Bl. Pier Giorgio. We will listen to several spiritually enriching talks and celebrate Mass with Frassati family at Villa at Pollone. Continue to your hotel in Biella for check in, dinner and restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart for Oropa, “the Shrine between earth and sky”, which is at the base of mountains and is one of the oldest Marian shrines in the world. The shrine was founded by St. Eusebius of Vercelli in the 4th century. According to local legend, the town was spared from the plague in the 17th century because of its dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Group will celebrate Mass at Oropa Shrine (pending confirmation). Every year the residents make a pilgrimage in thanks to Our Lady. We will see the Madonna and the Church where Bl. Frassati prayed. As he hiked with his friends, Bl. Frassati would share with them his love for Jesus and Our Lady. See the mountain that he climbed and take a cable car that goes halfway up the mountain to the lake. Also located in Oropa is the “Sacro Monte”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains 12 chapels with life-sized statues made of terracotta depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Visit the Cemetery and Upper Basilica and after some free time continue to Turin for dinner and overnight.

Begin the day with breakfast and then proceed to enjoy a day of exploration throughout the city of Turin. Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region and home of the world’s most famous relic: the Shroud of Turin. Housed within the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Shroud is a piece of herringbone twilled linen cloth measuring 14.5 by 3.9 feet. It is believed to be that in which Christ’s body was wrapped after his crucifixion. The cloth still bears the faint imprint of Jesus, and the apparent signs of wound marks that correspond to those Christ sustained during crucifixion. It is expected that the Shroud will be on public display sometime during the 2025 Jubilee Year (pending confirmation). Within the same Cathedral lies the tomb of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. When Bl. Pier Giorgio’s mortal remains were found incorrupt in 1981, they were transferred from the family tomb in Pollone to the Cathedral in Turin. Take time for prayer and reflection, asking for this holy man’s intercession throughout your pilgrimage. After time for lunch, our tour will continue to the Sanctuary of Maria Ausiliatrice, the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians. Originally part of a home for poor boys founded by Saint John Bosco, the Basilica contains St. John Bosco’s remains along with the relics of other saints, including St. Dominic Savio. The Church was built after St. John Bosco had a vision of Our Lady in which she revealed to him the site of the martyrdom of the Turinese Saints Solutor, Adventor, and Octavius and requested that a Church be constructed there. The three martyrs were Roman soldiers who were killed for their faith in the early 4th century. Lastly, we will visit the Corpus Domini Basilica, the site of the 15th-century Eucharistic miracle. French soldiers looted the main church, and the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was put in a bag and loaded on a mule. The mule stumbled as they were leaving and the monstrance with our Lord rose above the surrounding houses, arousing wonder in all the witnesses. The bishop, people, and clergy prayed “Stay with us, Lord.” The monstrance fell leaving the host free and shining, and the bishop lifted up a chalice into which the host came down and rested. A railing in the basilica sets off the place where this miraculous event took place in 1453. Conclude this memorable day with dinner and a restful overnight at your hotel.

Start the day with Mass and Adoration at “La Crocetta”, Pier Giorgio’s parish church in Turin where he was baptized, confirmed and buried. The official name is “Our Lady of Grace.” The church was located just across the street from the family home. Pier Giorgio could view the bell tower from his bedroom. A mosaic on the side of the church features St. John Bosco and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati – both Turin natives. Downstairs, both a youth area and small chapel are named in his honor. Following visit we will journey through the beautiful Italian countryside as we make our way to Assisi, hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

As you visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry, in the early 13th-century. You will start your tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit his tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint’s possessions. Group will celebrate Mass at St Francis tomb (pending confirmation). Following Mass will be a visit to the Santuario Della Spogliazione where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb is placed. Carlo is the first millennial to be declared Blessed who loved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. From there, You will board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of his life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure is the “Porziuncola”, which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second, is the “Capella del Transito”, which is the place of St. Francis’ death. Time permitting you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived and pray. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Early morning transfer to Rome. Today we start with a visit to the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome and is home to the relics of Sts. Peter and Paul. Next, you will cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are believed to be the very steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. The Stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. Ascend these stairs on your knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches which is believed to hold relics of the True Cross. We conclude our day with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This Church, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, is the only Basilica that has kept its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

This morning, we will visit St. Peters Basilica built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you will have the opportunity to view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture and pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. Visit the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, which St. John Paul II designated as the Divine Mercy Spirituality Center in 1994. The Church is cared for by the sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. After lunch, enjoy some free time followed by group dinner. Attend the Canonization Vigil (location to be confirmed). Return to the hotel for a restful overnight.

Witness history on the momentous day Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is declared a Saint! Known for his joyful spirit, Frassati strongly opposed the communist and fascist movements that pervaded Italy at the time. Although his parents were agnostic, he developed a deep spiritual life. He had a great love for the Blessed Mother and the Holy Eucharist. An avid lover of the outdoors, his favorite pastime was mountain climbing. He greatly enjoyed the theater, opera, literature, and the arts. He was pure, happy, and enthusiastic about everything true, good, and beautiful. He was a true model for all Christian young men. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati died of polio, which he contracted from the poor and sick that he visited in Turin’s slums. He was only 24, and his final words were “May I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.” Despite his short life, he left a lasting impact by living his faith with passion and serving others with a generous heart. We will make our way today to St. Peters Square to secure our spot for the canonization ceremony. Witness the grandeur, music, and moving speeches as Bl. Frassati is elevated to Sainthood. Pending confirmation, we will meet with the Congregation of Frassati from the USA to celebrate this beloved Saint. This unforgettable day concludes with farewell dinner and an overnight in Rome.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Rome airport for return flights home and memories of a lifetime!

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.