2 0 0 8               

Mar 8-17 Mar 29-Apr 7 Apr 5-14 Apr 26-May 5 May 8-18 St. Michael May 15-25 St. Rita of Cascia May 22-Jun 1 St. Joan of Arc June 5-15  St. Anthony June 19-29  26th Anniversary July 12-22 St. Benedict July 27-Aug 6 Youth Festival Aug 20-30 Queenship of Mary Sep 5-14  Triumph of the Cross Sep 23-4 Oct  St. Christopher Oct 2-12 Feast of Holy Rosary Oct 22-Nov 3 Archangel Raphael                    ROME SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO  PIETRELCINA  ASSISI  POMPEI FLORENCE  EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES  SHRINE OF ST. PHILOMENA   Pilgrimage includes:   Airfare Newark/New York First Class hotel room Deluxe motor coach transportation Spiritual Director Guide/Escort Sights listed Breakfasts daily Dinners daily Click here to get information on other tours. 10 day Itinerary Summary DAY 1 - Depart USA                                                                                 Our spiritual journey begins as we leave the U.S. together with dinner and breakfast served onboard. DAY 2 - Holy Rome                                               We are welcomed in Rome by our Peace Center Tours representative who greets us and accompanies us to our hotel and through out our stay. After an orientation and room check-in, join us on a short walk to St. Peter's Square before our get-acquainted dinner tonight. DAY 3 - Vatican  Papal Blessing    Attend the Audience with the Holy Father and receive the Papal Blessing*, visit St. Peter’s Basilica where Michelangelo's exquisite Pieta is seen, descend from the upper church to the actual tomb of St. Peter, before our visit to the Vatican Museums and Galleries. Linger awhile in awe in the Sistine Chapel. *If His Holiness is available. DAY 4 - In the footsteps of the Apostles          Appian Way Catacombs                                         On our drive this morning, we visit the chapel of Domine Quo Vadis on the Appia Antica (Appian Way). A 4th century document states of Peter: "He was about to go out through the city's gates when he saw Christ come towards him. He worshipped him and said: 'Lord, where are you going?' Christ answered: 'I come to Rome to be crucified again'. And Peter said: 'Lord, you are to be crucified again?' The Lord said: 'Yes, I will be crucified again'. Peter then said: 'Lord, I will go back, following you'. At that point, the Lord ascended to heaven as Peter's gaze followed before he returned to Rome. Visit the tomb of the Apostle St. Paul then passing the Circus Maximus we arrive finally at the Catacombs where we walk down the labyrinthine underground passages on our guided visit. DAY 5 - "To Know History is To Be Catholic" Christian Rome                                               Your guide will bring to life this ancient place as you imagine what it was like to live in one of the most important places in history...two thousand years ago. On our spiritual walk today we have a full day's visit highlights will include the church where St. Peter's chains are enshrined on view for us to see as well as Michelangelo's incomparable Moses; the rooms of the great St. Catherine of Siena; Piazza Navona;the Basilica of St. Mary Major; the Holy Steps; Sancta Santorium; St. John Lateran; the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are only a few of the places we visit. Send for more details.  DAY 6 - Loreto - Lanciano - San Giovanni              Through the Apennine Mountains our scenic drive offers us time to prepare ourselves for the house of Loreto which legend tells us was the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth.  After our prayer service we continue along the spectacular Adriatic Coast to the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano which has survived from the 8th century for Benediction. Our afternoon drive through the Apulian Region brings us to the Shrine of San Giovanni. DAY 7 - Saint Pio - Mont'Sant Angelo                     Mass at the tomb of Saint Pio with a visit to his sanctuary in San Giovanni Rotondo and time for a Holy Hour of devotion in the Old Church tonight after dinner including our private meeting with Fr. Giovanni. Visit one of the holiest Shrines in Italy where the Archangel St. Michael appeared in the cave. Stop at the grotto for devotions. DAY 8 - Saint Pio - Pietrelcina                            Walk just as Saint Pio did crossing over the brook's wooden bridge in  Pietrelcina where he said the Hail Mary while his fingers were running through his rosary beads, to his home, to the Toretta where Blessed St. Joseph and his guardian angel appeared to him. Along the path there are fresh-water wells, where Saint Pio would drink and exchange a few words with some of the farmers and where he would rest for awhile under the shadow of a fig tree. Back then, this street was flanked by hedges, trees and wine groves. DAY 9 - Shrine of the Holy Rosary - St. Philomena                                                         Inside the massive Basilica are reminders of an age when faith was first and foremost. At the most famous rosary shrine in the world, Our Lady of the Rosary, and at the Sanctuary of St. Philomeno - the Saint of the Impossible - we offer our prayers.  DAY 10 - RETURN TO USA                                                       Morning departure after our farewell mass returning home.     San Giovanni Hotel                                                              3 Day Extended visit to Venice and Padua Day 10 Rome Venice Day 11 Padua Day 12 Return home. (check back shortly for details or email for details)