|
Padre Pio Foundation of America April 19 - 30, 2007 Tour Number: PIO0419-07 Thu, Apr 19th: Newark/Rome - Depart Newark Airport on your overnight flight to Italy. Fri, Apr 20th: Rome - Upon arrival in Rome we are transferred to our hotel. This evening we have a “Rome by Night Tour.” (B,D) Sat, Apr 21st: Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto - This afternoon we travel to the foothills of Umbria to visit Orvieto. The miracle of Oriveto occurred, in 1263, when a priest was on a pilgrimage to Rome to ask for strength in his vocation and to remove his doubts about the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. On his way he stopped at Bolsena. During Mass as the priest said, "This is My Body," the Host began to bleed profusely. The priest took the corporal and wrapped up the bleeding Host, although blood fell on the marble floor in front of the altar. He immediately took it to Pope Urban IV who was in Orvieto at the time. The Holy Father declared that a Eucharistic miracle had occurred. The Holy Father created a new feast, the Feast of Corpus Christi, to commemorate the Miracle of Bolsena. The bloodstained corporal is in the Cathedral of Orvieto. After free time for shopping, we return to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome we go to “Da Meo Patacca” for dinner. (B,D) Sun, Apr 22nd: Papal Blessing - This morning we go to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Sunday Papal Blessing (provided the Holy Father is in residence). Remainder of the day is free. (B,D) Mon, Apr 23rd: Rome/Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano/San Giovanni Rotondo - Morning departure to San Giovanni Rotondo. En route we stop at Lanciano. The most popular of the Eucharistic Miracles is the Miracle of Lanciano. A monk was having doubts and his doubts were growing stronger. One morning during Mass at the Consecration, he began to shake and tremble and faced the people to show them what had happened. The Host had turned to Flesh and the wine into Blood! After our visit, we continue to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace where we see Padre Pio’s Tomb and cell. (B,D) Tue, Apr 24th: San Giovanni Rotondo/Pietrelcina/San Giovanni Rotondo - Morning departure to Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. We visit his home, the Church of Santa Ana, where he was Baptized and then we have Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli. Next we stop at Piana Romana to visit the place where Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata. After our visit and Mass we return to San Giovanni Rotondo. We will have our Sunday Vigil Mass at Padre Pio’s Tomb. (B,D) Wed, Apr 25th: San Giovanni Rotondo/Assisi - Morning departure to Assisi. Upon arrival, we visit the the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where we see the Porziuncola (the little church St. Francis built). After our visit we go to the upper city to visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, where we see the Tombs of the two Saints. (B,D) Thu, Apr 26th: Assisi/Eucharistic Miracle of Siena/Florence - Morning departure to FLORENCE. En route we stop at Siena to see the Eucharistic Miracle. The weekend of the Feast of the Assumption in Siena, Italy in 1730 was the occasion for this Eucharistic miracle. Thieves broke into the church and stole the gold ciborium containing 351 Consecrated Hosts. When it was realized what had happened, all events of the day were halted and prayers recited for the safe return of the Consecrated Hosts. Three days later, they were found protruding from the church poor box and the count was correct. In 1850 the bishop ordered testing which determined the Hosts to be fresh. The miraculous Hosts have been cherished and venerated in the Basilica of St. Francis in Siena for over 250 years. After our visit we continue to Florence for our tour of the city’s priceless treasures including the Piazza del Duomo, center of religious life in medieval Florence. We visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Next we see the Baptistery with its’ masterfully crafted bronze doors – Michaelangelo declared them the “Gate of Paradise.” We also, visit the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michaelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, for Mass. (B,D) Fri, Apr 27th: Florence/Eucharistic Miracle of Ferrara/Eucharistic Miracle of Padua - It was in the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Vado (Church of St. Mary of the Ford) in Ferrara, Italy that this miracle took place over 800 years ago. The miracle occurred on Easter Sunday during the Consecration when at the moment the Host was broken into two parts, all present were shocked to see a stream of blood spurt from the Host. There was so much blood that it sprayed onto a semi-circular vault that was situated behind and above the altar. Not only did the witnesses see the blood, they also saw that the Host had turned to flesh. The local Bishop of Ferrara and Archbishop Gherardo of Revenna came and saw the blood and the Host turned to flesh and declared that this was the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Upon arrival in Padua, we visit the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua where we have Mass near the Tomb of St. Anthony. After Mass, we have free time to visit the Basilica and see the Fresco of the Eucharistic Miracle of Padua. Remainder of the day is free. (B,D) Sat, Apr 28th: Venice - This morning we are transferred to Venice for our short cruise along the Grand Canal to the Church of St. Geremenia and St. Lucy for Mass and to view the body of St. Lucy. After Mass we are transferred by motor launch to St. Marks Square for our tour of Venice including St. Marks Square where we view the Clock Tower with its famous Moors, then we visit St. Marks Basilica with its Byzantine and European architectural styles and dazzling mosaics. We stop to pray at the tomb of St. Mark before continuing our walking tour of Venice. We will have free time for lunch (on our own) and shopping before our late afternoon return to Padua. (B,D) Sun, Apr 29th: Padua/Stresa - Morning departure to Stresa. Upon arrival we have a walking tour of the city. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy this lovely resort town.(B,D) Mon, Apr 30th: Stresa/MIlan - Morning Mass followed by departure to Milan airport for our return flight to the USA. (B) |
