Day 1 - Arrive Assisi

Sunday, 1st November

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 celebrate Mass before checking into our hotel where we will have time to relax in our rooms before dinner.

Day 2 - Chapel of the Porziuncola, Basilica of St. Francis

Monday, 2nd November

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 morning Mass 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. After free time for lunch, we will drive to the medieval town of Assisi. The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, has safeguarded the mortal remains of St. Francis since 1230 and has seen pilgrims from every part of the world arrive to pray at the tomb of the �Poor Man of Assisi�, seeking inspiration, courage, and hope in the example of the great saint. This afternoon, we will be met at the Basilica of St. Francis by a Franciscan friar who will accompany us on our path to the urn containing the remains of Saint Francis, which will conclude with a moment of prayer.

Day 3 - Convent of San Damiano & Sanctuary of the Renunciation

Tuesday, 3rd November

Located in a beautiful setting just outside the walls of Assisi, this morning we will celebrate Mass at the Church of San Damiano. One day whilst praying before a crucifix at the Convent of San Damiano Francis heard the words, �Go rebuild my church, which as you can see is falling into ruins.� This event at San Damiano would be significant in the gradual conversion of Francis. Years later, San Damiano would become home to Clare and her Order of Poor Clares and the location of a Eucharistic Miracle that would take place in September 1240, a miracle which is documented in the exhibition realised by the young Carlo Acutis. After Mass in the ancient church, accompanied by a Proposed Itinerary Paul Taylor Group - SHI01112026 - GT-2412 Franciscan friar, we will visit the convent where we will see the refectory, the dormitory where St. Clare died and beautiful cloister. In the afternoon we will walk to the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, resting place of St. Carlo Acutis. The name �Carlo Acutis� became known throughout the world when in October 2020, in the presence of his parents and siblings, he was beatified in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like St. Francis of Assisi was not impressed by material things. Carlo had a great love for Information Technology and used his computer as a form of evangelisation, compiling an exhibition on the Eucharistic Miracles that have taken place through the centuries. It is fitting that the remains of this young follower of St. Francis and boy of great faith should rest in the spot in Assisi where Francis stripped himself publicly of his old life in favour of a life of prayer.

Day 4 - Eremo delle Carceri & Cathedral of San Rufino

Friday, 4th November

This morning, we will celebrate Mass at Eremo delle Carceri, an ancient Franciscan place situated on the forest clad slopes of Mount Subasio where Francis and his followers would retreat for periods of prayer. In the eight centuries of Franciscan history, hundreds of friars stayed here before embarking upon trips to spread the Gospel. Today our guide will take us to the ancient oratory of the simplistic friary where Francis and his companions would have often gathered and the cave where Francis would immerse himself in prayer. As we return to the town of Assisi, we will visit the Cathedral of San Rufino and see the baptismal font used to baptise both Francis and Clare and at the altar dedicated to St. Carlo Acutis where we will venerate the heart relic of the first millennial saint. In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of St. Clare and see the original San Damiano cross before which Francis was praying when he heard the words of the Lord at San Damiano. Our day will conclude in the crypt of the basilica with time for prayer at the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares.

Day 5 - Greccio

Saturday, 5th November

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel in Assisi and drive to the town of Greccio, birthplace of the nativity scene. The sanctuary at Greccio rises straight up from the edge of a sheer cliff and sits on the site where Saint Francis of Assisi staged the first-ever nativity scene in 1223, marking the beginning of the tradition of the manger scene which soon spread throughout Catholic Europe. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and afterwards have time for lunch before continuing our drive to Fiumicino airport for our return flight to Dublin.