Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Monday, 14th September - Chapel of the Porziuncola

This morning, we will depart from Dublin airport to Rome and upon arrival be greeted by our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. We will drive through the �Green Heart of Italy� to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare and resting place of St. Carlo Acutis. Upon arrival we will check into the Domus Pacis and have time to relax in our rooms.

During this year as we remember the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli with the ancient Chapel of the Porziuncola, is a fitting place to begin our pilgrimage to the Franciscan Holy City.

We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the basilica and afterwards visit the Chapel of the Porziuncola, considered the cradle of the Franciscan Order, the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died and the Rose Garden where today grows the miraculous roses without thorns.


Tuesday, 15th September - Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Tomb of St. Carlo Acutis

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the basilica dedicated to St. Clare and afterwards venerate the original San Damiano Cross before which Francis was praying when he heard the famous words of the Lord. In the crypt of the basilica rest the remains of St. Clare and the museum which carefully preserves items connected with the lives of both Francis and Clare.

Our next stop will be the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, made famous as the spot where the young Francis of Assisi publicly relinquished his lavish lifestyle, in favour of a life of prayer. The sanctuary is today the resting place of the first millennial canonised and another great follower of Francis of Assisi, Carlo Acutis. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like Francis was not impressed by material things. In this place of great significance, we will hear more of the life of Carlo and see his exhibition documenting the Eucharistic Miracles that took place through the centuries, including that which took place at the Convent of San Damiano.

During our guided afternoon tour, as we walk along the cobbled streets of the ancient town, we will learn of the life of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they chose to relinquish their lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of poverty and prayer. Our day will conclude in the Basilica of St. Francis where we will admire the famous frescoes and pray at the tomb of the founder of the Franciscan Order on this 800th anniversary year of his death.


Wednesday, 16th September - Convent of San Damiano & Basilica of St. Mary Major

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the church of San Damiano. Located in a beautiful setting just outside the walls of Assisi, it is the place where St. Francis received his miraculous calling in 1205 and where St. Clare died in 1253 - an important stop on a pilgrimage to the Franciscan Holy City. Afterwards we will depart Assisi and drive to the Eternal City of Rome and upon arrival, check into our hotel and have time to relax.

The Basilica of St. Mary Major is the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and home to the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome from the plague during the late sixth century. This afternoon we will visit the basilica and venerate the precious icon and afterwards have time for prayer at the tomb of Pope Francis.


Thursday, 17th September - St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica of San Clemente & Irish College

St. Peter's Basilica is without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. After breakfast, we will enjoy a guided tour of the basilica where we will have the chance to pray at the tombs of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII and admire Michelangelo's Piet� and Bernini's intricate Baldachin.

Situated in the heart of ancient Rome, the Basilica of Sam Clemente is in the care of the Irish Dominicans. Visiting San Clemente means making a real voyage of discovery into the long history of the city. The Basilica with its underground archaeological complex is one of the world's great treasures, a place loved by pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. Here, as in no other place, one can visit and experience different levels of Rome's past. Within walking distance is the Pontifical Irish College which attracts visitors and pilgrims who arrive in abundance each year. Our day will conclude with the celebration of Mass in the college which is the last of the many Irish Colleges that is still a seminary from the many that were once scattered over Europe.


Friday, 18th September - St. Isidore's College & Trevi Fountain

This morning, we will celebrate Mass at the College of St. Isidore's, founded in 1625 by Irish Franciscan Luke Wadding OFM and now home to an international fraternity of OFM Franciscans. We will embark on a guided walking tour of some of the main sights of Rome's historic centre and afterwards have time at leisure for lunch, shopping and private sightseeing.


Saturday, 19th October - Basilica of St. Sebastian

After checking out of our hotel, we will drive to the Catacombs of St. Sebastian. Known as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, the 12-kilometre-long catacombs owe their name to St Sebastian, a soldier who became a martyr for converting to Christianity. Built above the ancient burial grounds is the basilica which has carefully preserved the arrow that allegedly struck St. Sebastian during his murder and a set of marble footprints, which are attributed to Jesus, during his walk to Rome along the Via Appia. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage before driving to Fiumicino airport for our return flight to Dublin.