Pilgrimage Itinerary

DAY 1 - Assisi

We will depart in the morning Dublin to Rome. On arrival, we will be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages guide and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. The beauty of the Italian countryside will make for an enjoyable drive to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. We will check into our hotel and have time to relax.

This evening, we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and afterwards visit the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis began to realise his true calling and where Clare was accepted into the Order - a fitting place to begin our time in Assisi.


DAY 2 - St. Francis, St. Clare, Blessed Carlo Acutis

This morning, we will celebrate Mass at the Tomb of St. Francis and afterwards have time for private prayer. Accompanied by our guide, we will begin our walking tour of the medieval town of Assisi, learning more of the life of both St. Francis and St. Clare.

After free time for lunch, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Renunciation. This part of Assisi was made famous as the spot where Francis stripped himself of his fine clothes, thus relinquishing his wealthy lifestyle in favour of a life of poverty and prayer. In the Sanctuary of the Renunciation today rest the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young boy who was very much impressed by the figure of Francis of Assisi and who, just like Francis, liked nothing more than to help the poor. We will hear of the short life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, whose story has inspired many to return to the faith.


DAY 3 - Convent of San Damiano & Cathedral of San Rufino

After breakfast we will travel to the Convent of San Damiano. Located in a beautiful setting just outside the walls of Assisi, this morning we will celebrate Mass at the Church of San Damiano and afterwards have a tour of the former home to the Order of the Poor Clares with visits to the Refectory, and Dormitory where St. Clare died.

As we return to the town of Assisi, we will visit the Cathedral of San Rufino, and have time for private prayer at the altar dedicated to Blessed Carlo Acutis. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will give us the opportunity for shopping and personal sightseeing. After dinner, in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, we will join with the Franciscan friars to commemorate the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.


DAY 4 - St. Catherine of Siena

This morning we will depart Assisi and drive through the picturesque countryside to the town of Siena. After free time for lunch in the vibrant Piazza del Campo, we will begin our guided walking tour which will take us through the town. In the Shrine of the house of St. Catherine, we will hear of the austere lifestyle the young Catherine chose to follow, and the great works of charity which earned her the title of �The Lady with the Lamp.� After evening Mass in the Basilica of San Domenico there will be time at leisure for shopping and private sightseeing before driving to our hotel.


DAY 5 - Town of San Gimignano

This morning, we will depart Siena and enjoy a scenic drive to the town of San Gimignano. A beautiful town nestled between the Sienese hills and the sunny Val d'Elsa hills which boasts a real medieval charm, San Gimignano is a much-loved Tuscan pearl.

After morning Mass, we will enjoy a guided tour of the picturesque town which will include a visit to the Cathedral of San Gimignano and hear of the history of the town, famous for its 14 medieval towers which dominate the skyline. We will have free time for lunch in one of the many restaurants specialising in Tuscan cuisine before continuing our drive to Florence, where we will spend the following three nights of our pilgrimage.


DAY 6 - Florence
Stepping into the magical city of Florence one will soon understand why it is often referred to as �The Cradle of the Renaissance.�

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, since 1221 the seat of the Dominican Order in Florence and afterwards visit the beautiful Green Cloister and Spanish Chapel with their fine frescoes. Our morning visit will end in the old refectory where precious liturgical objects from the ancient sacristy are kept.

After time at leisure for lunch, we will enjoy a guided tour of Florence visiting such sights as the Ca-thedral of St. Mary of the Flower and the famous Piazza della Signoria, where we will have the re-mainder of the afternoon at leisure for private sightseeing.


DAY 7 - Florence

Today we will celebrate Mass in the Church of San Marco and afterwards visit the convent, now the National Museum of San Marco which during the 15th century was home to two famous Dominicans, the painter Fra Angelico, and the preacher Girolamo Savonarola.

After lunch we will drive to the town of Fiesole. It was in the Dominican convent in Fiesole where Bl. Fra Angelico, the Dominican painter of the mid-fifteenth century known for the beauty of his paint-ings, and the holiness of his priestly life. held various responsibilities, including prior of the convent. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided tour of both the convent and church before returning to our hotel for dinner.


DAY 8 - Return home

This morning, we will celebrate Mass before driving to Pisa airport for our return flight to Dublin.