*Please note this pilgrimage involves a certain amount of walking and physical activity, such as stairs, standing for extended periods and walking on uneven surfaces; especially when visiting historical and religious sites. We kindly ask that you assess your comfort level with these activities before booking and travel with a companion that can provide assistance if required. If you have any mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss.
DAY 1: DUBLIN TO ROME
Our local rep will meet the group at the AerLingus departures area in Dublin Airport to assist with check in. The group will be traveling with AerLingus at approximately 10:25hrs and landing in Rome at approximately 14:30 with the full afternoon ahead.
The Joe Walsh Tours representative will meet and welcome us all on arrival. We will then be transferred by private coach to the birthplace of St. Francis, the hill town of Assisi in the central part of Italy. On arrival in Assisi, we will visit and have Mass in Santa Maria degli Angeli, the cradle of the Franciscan order. The Porziuncola, the chapel of St. Francis’ first community and the chapel of the ‘Transito, where St. Francis died, are both housed here. This is also where St Claire received the Franciscan cowl from St. Francis in 1211.
DAY 2: ASSISI
After breakfast, we will start exploring Assisi with a visit and Mass at the Basilica of St Clare, foundress of the Order of the Poor Clares. St. Clare followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will continue our day with the visit of the Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen whose beatification Pope Francis approved in February, known for his gift for computer programming and special love for God. Free time for lunch and shopping, strolling the cobblestoned street of this beautiful old town where it seems time has stood still. Time to visit the awe-inspiring 13th century Basilica of St. Francis and his Tomb, the town’s most important sanctuary. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
DAY 3: LORETO AND LANCIANO
After breakfast we will make our way to Loreto and Lanciano. In the 8th Century, a Church in Lanciano was the location for the first and greatest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church. During Holy Mass and as a divine response to a priest who doubted about Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, the host bled and was changed into live flesh, likewise, the wine changed into live blood which later coagulated into five globules.
In Loreto we will visit the Holy House, one of the most sacred places in the world. We will then travel back to Assisi for dinner and overnight.
DAY 4: TRAVEL TO ROME
After breakfast and check out from the hotel, we will travel to Rome. On arrival we will have time for lunch and a tour of St Peter Basilica, Square and the Holy Door. The Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition, it is traditionally the burial site of its titular, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, the first Bishop of Antioch and later the first Bishop of Rome, rendering him the first Pope. Time for Mass and check in at the hotel where we will be staying for the next three nights. Free time for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: TOUR OF ROME
After breakfast we will be picked up from the hotel and start our walking tour of Rome main sites. We will be visiting, (from the outside), and walking around the most famous amphitheatre of Rome, the Colosseum, we will be learning about the Roman Forums, Piazza Venezia, and we will be admiring the iconic Trevi Fountain, followed by the former Roman temple “Pantheon” and Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. Time for Mass and to head back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6: PAPAL AUDIENCE
After breakfast today we will spend the morning participating at the Papal Audience. Pilgrims and visitors will have the chance to see the Pope and receive the Papal blessings or Apostolic blessings from the successor of the Apostle Peter during their visit. The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and readings mainly in Italian but also in English. Our day will follow with lunch and visiting two of the major Papal basilicas: the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and St John in the Lateran. Mass and back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: IRISH COLLEGE AND TRAVEL TO DUBLIN
Today is unfortunately our last day of this Holy Pilgrimage After breakfast and check out we will be picked up from the hotel at 10:00am. We will be transferred to Piazza della Repubblica for free time and lunch. Between 13:00 and 14:30 we will visit and have Mass at the Irish College. The Pontifical Irish College is a Catholic seminary in Rome for the training and education of priests. It serves as a residence for clerical students from all over the world. At 14:30hrs the group will be picked up to go back to the airport for our afternoon flight back to Dublin.
*Please note itinerary may be subject to changes, depending on Jubilee events/programme.
