Fr. Michael Nixon: Shrines & Eucharistic Miracles of Italy

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Overview

Fr. Michael Nixon: Shrines & Eucharistic Miracles of Italy
Rome, Italy
Oct 7 - 18, 2024
Trinity Tour Travels image
Trinity Tour Travels
$5,100
Deposit: $300

About this trip

Italy is undoubtedly one of the top pilgrimage destinations in the world, especially for Catholics seeking to deepen their faith journey. That's why we're excited to offer the Shrines and Eucharistic Miracles of Italy Pilgrimage, an extraordinary opportunity to explore some of Europe's most magnificent churches and basilicas.

During this pilgrimage, you will visit some of Italy's most awe-inspiring sites of Eucharistic Miracles, such as Lanciano, Orvieto and Assisi. Countless faithful throughout history have witnessed these miraculous events, some of which date back to the 8th century. These events continue to inspire Christians from all walks of life, even today. We believe that experiencing these miracles firsthand will undoubtedly edify each pilgrim's faith journey in an unforgettable way.

Don't miss this chance to embark on a life-changing pilgrimage to Italy! 


What's included

Roundtrip Airfare

4-Star hotels

Based on country's standard and double occupancy

Catholic Tour Guide

Admission fees

All pilgrimage sites visited

Most meals

All breakfasts & most dinners

Daily Masses

Basilicas, churches, chapels and other consecrated sites

Catholic Priest

Ground transportation

Motor coaches with AC & WiFi while abroad

Headsets

Gratuities

Gratuities for tour guides, bus drivers and porters

Special Farewell Dinner

Final night of pilgrimage!

What's not included

Travel Insurance

Highly recommended for all pilgrimages, MANDATORY for Holy Land

Lunches

Shuttle bus to airport

When requested or necessary to access international airport for particular destinations (unless otherwise stated in the Pilgrimage Package Price).

Single supplement

Private room (additional charge from $895 to $1,000 depending on the pilgrimage destination)

Day 1

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Departure

Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2

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Arrival in Rome

Arrive at Fiumicino International Airport - Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, where you proceed to Baggage Claim and then to the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will be greeted by our local Trinity Tours Travel Tour guide and driver, who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. Depending on arrival time, our journey begins at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where a Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated, followed by a lovely Italian lunch in the basilica’s café. The basilica also houses a gift shop perfect for the purchase of affordable religious items to be blessed by the pope the following day. We visit the burial site of St. Paul and visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, where tradition holds St. Peter met the Risen Christ asking, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” What makes this location particularly amazing is that Jesus is said to have left behind a marble slab with His footprints which pilgrims have venerated for centuries. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 3

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Rome: Papal Audience | Vatican Museums | St. Peter’s Basilica

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated at 9 a.m. each Wednesday by His Holiness Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring special medals, rosaries and other religious items to be blessed. Following the pope’s themed speech, prayers and homily, he offers a blessing!

Lunch before a tour of the magnificent Vatican Museum (Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel) and we end the day at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we visit Michelangelo's Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II prior to a walk through the basilica, which ends underground at the Tomb of St. Peter. Mass this day at church near St. Peter Square. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 4

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Rome: St. Mary Major | St. John Lateran | Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

Following breakfast at the hotel, Mass is celebrated at St. Mary Major, one of the four papal basilicas. Under the high altar of this basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity, encased in a crystal reliquary. Pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. St. Mary Major also houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who translated the Bible into Latin. St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538 at St. Mary Major, also known for "The Miracle of the Snow." 

We visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, another papal basilica, which houses several relics of the Passion of Jesus (including a rusted nail from the Crucifixion, pieces of the True Cross, thorns from the crown, and the sign over His Cross) and the doubting finger of St. Thomas in a reliquary. 

We visit the papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, known as the "Mother of all Churches in the World," and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest of the four papal basilicas. Larger than life, magnificent sculptures of the Twelve Apostles (St. Paul takes the place of St. Matthias) are showcased in this basilica. From here, we cross the street to visit the Scala Sancta (the "Holy Stairs"), the marble staircase (encased in wooden ones), which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. On these stairs, Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on His way to trial during His Passion. The marble stairs are visible through small openings in the wooden risers and at some spots, pilgrims may touch the marble through these openings as they climb the stairs (traditionally on knees). 

Leisure afternoon in the city center visiting the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Navona Square. 

Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 5

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Rome

Early breakfast at the hotel followed by an extraordinary spiritual journey for St. Dominic Parish. We spend the morning learning about the life of Servant of God, Chiara Corbella Petrillo. Chiara’s cause for canonization was announced June 13, 2017, on the 5th anniversary of her death at age 28. We first see the home in Rome which she shared with her husband, Enrico. We Visit Sant’ Angelo in Pescheria where the funeral Masses were celebrated for two of her babies, Santa Francesca Romana where her funeral Mass was celebrated, and then visit Campo Verano where she is buried with her two children. Mass will be celebrated at one of these churches this day and schedule permitting, time will be spent with Enrico Petrillo for prayer. Lunch on your own and we then tour of the Capuchin Crypt Church. The crypt lies beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini and includes several tiny chapels which contain the remains of 3700 Capuchin friars who died between 1538 and 1870. Free late afternoon in Rome.

Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 6

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Monte Cassino | San Giovanni Rotondo

After breakfast, we board the bus for a beautiful, scenic drive from Rome southeast to Monte Cassino, site of the Roman town of Casinum. Here we stop to see the site of the first house of the Benedictine Order, established by St. Benedict of Nursia around 529. We continue our journey east to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) for many decades until his death in 1968. Upon arrival, we check into the hotel and enjoy free time prior to Mass at Santa Maria delle Grazie, Padre Pio's beloved church.

Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 7

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San Giovanni Rotondo | Monte Sant'Angelo

Following breakfast at the hotel, we tour Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio, and return to Santa Maria delle Grazie to visit the church and confessional where Padre Pio committed himself to hours of hearing Confession. He was incredibly devoted to the sacrament, and it is said that he was able to read souls. At his shrine, we view the incorrupt body of this great saint. We tour his living quarters and see many of his personal items.

We board the bus and travel along the beautiful area known as the Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant'Angelo (grotto of St. Michael) where St. Michael is said to have appeared in the years 490, 492 & 493. Mass will be celebrated in the grotto on this day. Lunch and free time in this charming area prior to returning to the hotel. This evening, as schedule allows, we attend the weekly 9:00 pm candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio.

Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 8

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San Giovanni Rotondo | Lanciano | Loreto | Assisi

We depart for Assisi early this day following breakfast at the hotel. We stop in the town of Lanciano to visit the Church of St. Longinus, the site of what many believe is the greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. In the 8th century, a monk offering Mass was said to be plagued by doubts regarding transubstantiation. At pronouncing the words of consecration, the host was miraculously changed into flesh and the wine into blood. Since that time, countless pilgrims have visited to venerate the monstrance which contains the miracle. Lunch and Mass here this day.

We reboard the bus and continue to the magnificent Marian Shrine in Loreto, Basilica della Santa Casa. Here within the basilica, we visit the beautiful Madonna of Loreto and Holy House of Nazareth. Tradition maintains that this is the small house where "The Word Became Flesh", and where Mary was born, raised, and was greeted by the angel Gabriel. Furthermore, it is said that this is where Mary proclaimed the Magnificat, is the home in which Jesus was raised, and is where the Holy Family lived. According to tradition, angels carried the Holy House to its current location to keep it safe.

We travel to the pristine city of Assisi later this day (home of St. Francis and St. Clare) and check into our hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Day 9

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Assisi | Monte | Assisi

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we stroll to the huge 13th century Basilica of St. Francis which contains a series of frescoes depicting his life as well as houses several of the saint's personal possessions. Here, we also visit the final resting place of this humble saint.  We visit San Pietro Church nearby where Chiara and Enrico Petrillo were married. Mass is celebrated here this day

En route to the main square in Assisi, we visit the birthplace of St. Francis. We stop to tour the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St. Clare)  the dearest friend of St. Francis, who founded the Order of the Poor Clares. Here, we see many of her relics and possessions as well. Mass this afternoon.

We visit The Santuario della Spogliazione, to visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis (first millennial to be declared Blessed). We continue our walking tour of this picturesque town, and have brief time for personal prayer, shopping, and lunch. 

A special afternoon follows as we drive to Monte, where we visit Monastero di San Benedetto. Perched above the ancient town of Nursia and the birthplace of St. Benedict, this monastery is home to the Monks of Norcia. They continue even today to live by the rule of St. Benedict: living by the work of their own hands. In order to assist them in doing this, as well as to help fund the construction of a new monastery (the original 16th century monastery was destroyed in the earthquake of 2016), “The Birra Nursia” provides the monks an opportunity to work by making award-winning beers!

We visit this beautiful setting and partake in the fruit of the labor of these holy and hard-working monks!

Dinner and overnight in Assisi. 

Day 10

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Assisi | Siena | Assisi

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we travel for a day trip to Siena , birthplace of St. Catherine of Siena. We first visit Piazza del Campo, one of the most stunning public squares in the world. A late lunch followed by a visit to Basilica Caterina di San Domenico where we venerate this beloved saint and Doctor of the Church. We tour the breathtaking Duomo of Siena, and the Church of St. Francis, home to the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena. A free afternoon for exploring this historic city on your own.

Dinner and overnight in Assisi

Day 11

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Assisi

Following breakfast, we journey outside the walls of Assisi, to visit Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli (Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels). It is comprised of two sections; The "Porziuncola", where St. Francis first understood his vocation and renounced the world to live in poverty, and the "Capella del Transito", the small room where St. Francis died in 1226.  It is in The Porziuncola where Chiara and Enrico consecrated their only surviving son, Francesco, to Our Lady.  Mass and lunch this final day in Assisi before traveling to Orvieto. The city sits on top of a volcanic rock overlooking the valley below. We visit the site of the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto which took place in 1263. The stained corporal bearing the spots of Precious Blood are displayed in a golden reliquary in the Chapel of the Corporal. drive to Frascati for our Farewell Dinner.

Dinner, overnight in Frascati.

Day 12

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Departure Rome | USA

Following our final breakfast together, we bid farewell to this beautiful and holy part of the world and travel back to Rome (Fiumicino International Airport) for our departure to the USA. Ciao Italia!


A note from Trinity Tours Travels:

We are honored to have you travel with us and appreciate your trust in 

Trinity Tour Travels for your pilgrimage! Though every effort will sincerely be made to follow the above itinerary, it should be considered as a template of the journey, rather than a “contract” of sites to be visited. There are times when local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic challenges, etc., may cause us to make changes in our schedule. This MAY result in a change in the sequence of sites visited or, on rare occasions, the missing of some certain site visits entirely. 

As with all in life, we encourage the acceptance of possible change with a cheerful heart; after all, it is sometimes the unexpected that often makes the most beautiful memories! Enjoy your trip to the fullest and relish every moment!

Location

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1. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

About your organizer

Our mission is to provide spiritually transformative experiences for our pilgrims through guided tours to sacred destinations throughout the world. We strive to create memories of a lifetime by connecting each individual with rich Catholic history and the culture of these destinations. We are committed to offering high-quality, safe pilgrimages that inspire and deepen our pilgrims' faith journey.

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