Arriving in Turin, we proceed to our hotel for a relaxing rest before gathering in the evening to celebrate a special Welcome Dinner. For those who wish to participate, a Vigil will be held from 10pm to Midnight in observance of the start of the Feast of Mary Help of Christians the following day. 

Overnight: Turin (Dinner)

  Feast Day 

We begin the day with a visit to Valdocco, a neighborhood of Turin that’s well known for a complex of buildings related to Don Bosco including visits to the Casa Don Bosco Museum, the Church of San Francesco di Sales, the Pinardi Chapel, and the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. Later, we will visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist where the Holy Shroud is housed along with the tomb of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. In place of dinner, our group will have a late lunch in advance of an evening Mass followed by a grand procession through the streets of Turin!

Overnight: Turin (Breakfast, Lunch)

 Colle Don Bosco | Nizza | Mornese 

Today, we depart Turin and make our way to Mornese. Shortly into our drive, we stop at the Colle Don Bosco where we will explore the birthplace of St. John Bosco along with the many magnificent structures that have been built to commemorate his life, work, and faith. Our next stop is the town of Nizza. At one time, the General House of the Salesians as well as St. Mary Mazzarello herself relocated here. After some time for lunch, our group will visit the house in which she died and the museum that honors the history of the Salesian Sisters. Later, we finally arrive in idyllic Mornese, a place steeped in Salesian history and service, where we will settle into our accommodations and gather for an evening Mass followed by a group dinner.

Overnight: Mornese (Breakfast, Dinner)

Mornese 

Under the direction of the Salesian Sisters who call it home, our group will enjoy a comprehensive tour of the town as we learn about the history of St. Mary Mazzarello and her work to help found the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. 

Overnight: Mornese (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

Assisi 

After morning Mass, we bid farewell to Mornese and begin the long drive to Assisi. We are accompanied by songs and prayers as we watch the Italian countryside bloom all around us. Arriving in Assisi, we check in to our hotel and close the day with a lovely dinner. 

Overnight: Assisi (Breakfast, Dinner)

Basilica of St. Francis | Basilica of St. Clare | Convent of San Damiano 

In Assisi, we begin with a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis, the upper Basilica with Giotto’s frescoes representing the life of St. Francis, then the lower Basilica and the Tomb of St. Francis. We then proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare for a tour. After a delicious group lunch, we will transfer to the Convent of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. 

Overnight: Assisi (Breakfast, Lunch)

Orvieto | Arrive Rome 

Departing Assisi, we soon arrive in the town of Orvieto. Here, we visit the Gothic Cathedral built to house the holy relics of the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto. It was this miracle that occasioned the proclamation of the Feast of Corpus Christi and inspired St. Thomas Aquinas to write the famous hymn "Tantum Ergo." After Mass, we enjoy some time for lunch and exploring the town before continuing to Rome. Upon our arrival in the Eternal City, we visit the magnificent basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls before arriving at our hotel to close the evening. 

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

St. John Lateran | St. Mary Major | Sacred Heart 

Today, we begin with a visit to the oldest basilica of the Western world, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Following our tour, we next transfer to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one the most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, we will experience a tour and be given ample time for prayer before walking to the nearby Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This church was built by Don Bosco himself and is managed by the Salesian Sisters to this day. Our group will enjoy a tour and celebrate a private Mass before returning to our hotel to close the day.

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

Vatican Museum | Free Afternoon

After breakfast, we proceed to the Vatican for a tour of the famous Vatican Museum. The immense collection contained within has been amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries and includes several of the most well-known Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. To exit the Museum, visitors enter St. Peter’s Basilica and are given the chance to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgement. Our tour complete, we are given the balance of the day to explore the Vatican and Rome at our own individual pace. 

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

 St. Peter’s Basilica | Angelus | Free Afternoon | Farewell Dinner 

This morning, our group will visit the Vatican to participate in a truly memorable Mass within St. Peter’s Basilica. Following Mass, we will take some additional time for prayer and reflection before gathering to hear Holy Father lead the faithful in the Angelus Prayer. Afterwards, we are given the balance of the afternoon to explore the Vatican and Rome to our own individual tastes. This evening, we gather at a local restaurant to enjoy a special Farewell Dinner as we mark the end of our pilgrimage to Italy!

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

Return Home 

Our hearts and minds fortified by faith and fellowship, we now begin the long journey home.

Overnight: N/A (Breakfast*)