Priest
About Fr. Richard Stonier:
Fr. Richard Stonier is a priest of the Diocese of Johannesburg, South Africa. The fifth of six children, he was born into a lovely Catholic family and grew up in Johannesburg. After his university studies in psychology, he became a religion teacher in a Catholic Boys High School where he discerned a call to the priesthood. He was sent by his Archbishop to Sedes Sapientiae, an international seminary in Rome, and returned home for his priestly ordination on 8 December 2018. He was immediately made pastor and after four joyful years in the parish was asked to pursue a licentiate in Canon Law back in Rome at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where he finds himself at present. He has a deep love for Jesus Christ, His Church, and His Blessed Mother and only wishes that in this life, he may know Christ, love Him, and serve Him so as to be happy with him forever in the next.
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from your desired Airport
- All airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Hotel accommodations: (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 4 nights: Sep 2 - 6: Hotel Savoy Roma, Rome, Italy
- ~ 4 nights: Sep 6 - 10: Dal Moro Gallery Hotel, Assisi, Italy
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Wine with dinners
- Assistance of local guide throughout
- Whisper headsets
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Not Included
- Tips to your guide & driver.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Sunday, September 1: Depart for Rome
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2 | Monday, September 2: Arrival in Rome
Welcome to Rome, also known as “The Eternal City.” Upon landing at Rome airport, claim your baggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where your tour guide and/or driver will greet you. Following check-in at the hotel, you may have some free time to unpack, relax or explore Rome on your own. Later this afternoon, the group will meet for a Welcome Mass and dinner. Overnight.
Day 3 | Tuesday, September 3: Rome: Papal Blessing - Trevi Fountain –Basilica of St. John the Lateran – Holy Stairs
This morning, we go to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Blessing which is an indispensable tradition dating back more than half a century. After we will have some free time at the Trevi Fountain area. This afternoon, visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John the Lateran, the cathedral church, and the seat of the Bishop of Rome. Cross the street to the very steps that lead up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem which Jesus climbed on His way to trial during his Passion. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 | Wednesday, September 4: Rome: St. Peter's Basilica - Appian Way - Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – Catacombs – Private after-hours guided tour of Vatican Museum
Today we tour St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture and pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. After lunch, continue down the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in ancient Rome to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs. This evening, you will enjoy VIP after-hours private guided tour of the Vatican Museum. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the incredible art and see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel quietly and in peace after all visitors have left. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 5 | Thursday, September 5: Rome: Basilica of St. Mary Major - Pantheon – Free Afternoon
This morning, we celebrate the Holy Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. After, we visit the Pantheon, an ancient Roman building, that is renowned for its large concrete dome. After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is your own for prayers, reflections, or exploring the beautiful city. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 | Friday, September 6: Rome – Orvieto - Bolsena – Assisi
After breakfast, we leave for Assisi. Our first stop on the way will be Orvieto, a city situated on a cliff in the Umbria region. Orvieto is a city known for its Cathedral, considered one of the most architecturally important in Europe, for its Etruscan roots, and for the museums where one finds collections and displays that range over 2,500 years of history. Most importantly, the relic of one of the most famous Eucharistic Miracles in history is housed in the Cathedral, where pilgrims may venerate the corporal that is stained with blood from the consecrated Host which began to bleed during a Mass in Bolsena in 1263. Your tour of Orvieto will be a very memorable experience and concludes with lunch (included). We’ll depart from Orvieto and travel onward to Bolsena, the ancient city that is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle that we venerated in Orvieto. In 1263, in the Church of St. Christina, a priest (Fr. Peter of Prague) was saying Holy Mass, and after he spoke the words of Consecration, blood started to seep from the Host onto the corporal cloth. This is the Miracle that inspired the Pope to institute the Solemnity of Corpus Christi the following year, in 1264. After this prayerful and inspiring day, end your journey in Assisi, hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare, with dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 7 | Saturday, September 7: Assisi: Bl Carlo Acutis – St. Clare
Wake up in Assisi, home of St. Francis and St. Clare. You’ll be captivated by how the atmosphere has not changed much since St. Francis first began his ministry, in the early 13th century. You will visit 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 continue a walking tour through this picturesque town, to the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Enjoy some free time on your own – you may take this time for additional prayers, shopping, or relaxation. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8 | Sunday, September 8: Assisi (St. Francis)
Today we dedicate to St. Francis, as we follow in his footsteps. You will start your tour at the St. Francis Basilica, where we visit his tomb and view a series of frescoes depicting his life and a few of the saint’s possessions. After lunch, 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 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. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.
Day 9 | Monday, September 9: Assisi - Gubbio - La Verna - Assisi
After breakfast, you will drive through the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Gubbio. Enjoy this medieval town with a visit to St. Francis Church, where you will be celebrating Mass. After Mass, visit a town that seems painted onto the hill, a succession of backdrops against which towers and houses stand out, all embraced by walls. The town had been freed by St. Francis from a terrible and fierce wolf who afflicted it. After lunch on your own, continue to La Verna, the place where St. Francis, over the years, had been seven times, the last time in 1224 where he received the stigmata. Here you will be able to pray in the Chapel of the Stigmata, the Basilica, and the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels. You will also be able to admire the beautiful artwork of Andrea della Robbia. Return to Assisi for dinner and your last overnight.
Day 10 | Tuesday, September 10: Return Home
After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will be transferred to the Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home.
Or
You’ll have an opportunity to continue your journey to Siena, Florence, Padua, and Venice
*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.
Florence, Venice and Padua Post Tour
- Post Tour hotel accommodations:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily
- Wine with dinners
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Assistance of tour guide throughout
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Anticipated Daily Itinerary:
Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?
Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com