Rome, Turin 

DAY 1: Depart USA to Mexico: Today, embark on a journey that will be a life-changing experience. 

 Welcome to Italy and the beginning of what will be the most memorable pilgrimage of your lives! Upon arrival at Milan or Turin airport, head to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage. Then, proceed to the arrivals hall, where you will be greeted by your guide and driver, who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet your fellow pilgrims and participate in the celebration of Holy Mass.  Enjoy a brief presentation on the life of Pier Giorgio Frassati and prepare to spend the next three days immersing yourselves in his world. End the day with dinner and a restful night's sleep 

  Begin the day with breakfast, then prepare for a day of exploration in Turin, visiting some of the most significant sites in the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio. First, we will visit the parish church– Our Lady of Grace (nicknamed "La Crocetta") which the Frassati family attended. The church is located across from the house where Pier Giorgio died. Inside, a mosaic in the upper left section depicts St.  John Bosco and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, both natives of Turin known for their service to the city's poor. Below, both a youth area and a small chapel bear his name. A bronze relief of Pier Giorgio on the front right wall marks the spot where he used to sit for Mass when he was not serving at the altar. We will then visit the 13th-century Church of St. Dominic, where Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati  took his vows as a Dominican tertiary. From there, we will visit the Basilica of the Consolata– Pier Giorgio's "headquarters" for his charitable missions. "Meet me at six o'clock," he would say, "under the clock of the Consolata." This impressive baroque basilica is a Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation. You will be captivated by the opulent interior, a dazzling display of colorful marble, biblical-style columns, and a dome decorated by Giovanni Battista Crosato. The soon-to-be-canonized Saint Giuseppe Allamano is buried here 

 After breakfast, we will depart for the Oropa Sanctuary, where we will celebrate Mass in "the Sanctuary between Earth and Heaven," located at the foot of the mountains and one of the oldest Marian sanctuaries in the world. The sanctuary was founded by Saint Eusebius of Vercelli in the 4th century. According to local legend, the town was spared from the plague in the 17th century due to their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every year, the locals make a pilgrimage in thanksgiving to Our Lady. We will see Pier Giorgio’s beloved Black Madonna inside the "Old Church," where he would visit her upon arriving and before leaving Pollone. Pope Saint John Paul II prayed the Sunday Angelus here at  Oropa during his visit to Pier Giorgio’s tomb in 1989. Oropa is also home to the "Sacred Mount," a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 12 chapels with life-size terracotta statues depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore Oropa or, if interested, join a short, guided visit to some of the sites related to Blessed Frassati. We will gather to participate in a Eucharistic procession at the Oropa Sanctuary. Afterward, we will board the bus back to Turin for dinner and overnight 

 After breakfast, we will visit the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, originally part of a home for poor children founded by St. John Bosco. The Basilica contains the remains of St. John Bosco along with relics of other saints, including St. Dominic Savio. The church was built after St. John Bosco had a vision of Our Lady, in which she revealed to him the site of the martyrdom of the Turinese  saints Solutor, Adventor, and Octavius, and asked him to build a church there.  The three martyrs were Roman soldiers killed for their faith in the early 4th century. After Mass and time for lunch (you can shop in the lovely gift shop), we will travel to Pollone, the town where the Frassati family’s summer home is located. Upon arriving in Pollone, we will enjoy a peaceful stroll through the town, arriving at the Frassati family home. Built by Pier Giorgio’s maternal grandfather, Francesco Ametis, in 1875, Villa Ametis was the site of many vacations and summers. Luciana Frassati, Pier Giorgio’s sister, was born and died here (at age 105). You will see two very special rooms: the room Pier Giorgio occupied during his life and the room that now houses the bed where he died, along with other furniture from his room in the family home in Turin. Leave your prayer intentions here on his bed. As we continue our pilgrimage, we will walk down Pier Giorgio  Frassati Street to Senator Frassati Street. At this intersection, you will see a statue of Mr. Frassati. We will walk to the “Cangio Church” (Ss. Fabian and Sebastian), the church where Pier Giorgio’s Baptismal rite was completed five months after his birth. Our final stop in Pollone is the cemetery where Pier Giorgio was buried after his death in 1925 until his beatification in 1990. His sister Luciana, parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts are all buried in the family crypt. Pope Saint John Paul II prayed at the crypt for more than 20 minutes during his visit in 1989. You may also descend and pay your respects. At the end of Pier Giorgio Frassati Street, we will pass by the Piacenza Cashmere Factory and Store. Founded in 1733, it is one of Europe’s oldest family-run businesses.  We will continue back to Turin for dinner and overnight 

 After a delicious breakfast, we will travel through the beautiful Italian countryside as we head to Assisi over night at Assisi 

 This morning, we will celebrate Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. We will tour the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and view many of his personal possessions. The crucifix that spoke to him, asking him, “Rebuild my Church.” We visit the chapel where St. Francis spent most of his time as well as the Church of St. Clare, where her relics are housed. The rest of the day is for shopping or relaxing. Evening: Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at your hotel 

 After breakfast, we will head south to Siena, the birthplace of St. Catherine  (Doctor of the Church and one of the two patron saints of Italy, along with St.  Francis of Assisi) and St. Bernardino (known as the "Apostle of Italy" for his  efforts to revive the Catholic faith in the 15th century). Siena is also one of the  most beautiful medieval cities in Italy. Here, we will stroll through Piazza Del  Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and visit the Cathedral and the  Basilica of St. Francis, which contains the miraculous consecrated hosts that  have remained intact since 1730. We will celebrate Mass at St. Dominic's and  visit St. Catherine's house. After Siena, we will continue to the beautiful city of Rome for dinner and overnight 

 Witness history on the monumental day when Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is declared a Saint! Known for his joyful spirit, Frassati was called "the Man of the Eight Beatitudes" by Pope John Paul II. He had a deep love for the Blessed Mother and the Holy Eucharist. An enthusiastic lover of nature, his favorite hobby was mountain climbing. He greatly enjoyed theater, opera, literature, and the arts.  He was pure, happy, and enthusiastic about everything true, good, and beautiful.  He was a true model for all young Christians. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati died of poliomyelitis, which he contracted from the poor and sick whom he visited in the slums of Turin. He was only 24 years old. Despite his short life, he left a lasting impact by living his faith passionately and serving others with a generous heart. Today, we will head to St. Peter's Square to secure our spot for the canonization ceremony. Witness the grandeur, the music, and the moving speeches as Blessed Frassati is elevated to sainthood. Pending confirmation, we will gather with other English-speaking Frassati devotees to celebrate this historic event. This unforgettable day concludes with dinner and overnight in Rome. 

 This morning, we will return to St. Peter’s for the Memorial Mass. Afterward, we will tour St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you will have the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture and pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. We will visit the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, which Pope John Paul II designated as the Center of Divine Mercy Spirituality in 1994. The church is run by the Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. After lunch, we will continue along the Via Appia, one of the first roads built in ancient Rome, to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs. Dinner and overnight in Rome. 

 Today, we begin with a visit to one of the oldest and principal basilicas in Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome and houses the relics of Saints Peter and Paul. We will then cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are believed to be the very steps that led to the Praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus ascended on His way to trial during His Passion. The stairs were brought to Rome by St. Helena in the 4th century. Climb these stairs on your knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. We will visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the Seven Pilgrimage Churches, which is believed to contain relics of the True Cross. We will conclude our day with Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.  This church, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, is the only Basilica that has retained its original structure and is a true jewel in the crown of Roman churches.  This Basilica contains a relic of the Cradle of the Infant Jesus. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and a night of rest. 

 Return to Rome at the designated time for transfer to the airport for your return flights home.