Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Meals will be served on board.

Welcome to Italy and the beginning of what is to be the most memorable pilgrimage of your life. Upon arriving in Brindisi, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by your guide and driver, who will transfer you to your hotel. Meet your fellow pilgrims, participate in the celebration of Holy Mass. Conclude with dinner and a restful overnight.

After breakfast, we will take a short drive to the beautiful Apulian town of Latiano, where Blessed Bartolo Longo was born in 1841. We will then visit the Parish Church of Santa Maria della Neve, where Blessed Bartolo was baptized. After Mass and lunch, we will return to Brindisi. In the afternoon we will visit the Roman ruins marking the Southern end of the Appian Way, the longest road in Ancient Rome. We will have a walking tour of the historic harbor on the Adriatic Sea, and visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist before dinner and overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and depart for the Western coast of Italy. We will stop in Pagani to visit the Tomb of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists and a Doctor of the Church. After lunch we will continue on to Pompeii to Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, the church which Blessed Bartolo commissioned and co-founded with his wife, Countess Mariana di Fusco. It is the see of the Territorial Prelature of Pompeii, and Blessed Bartolo’s remains are normally kept there (they may be moved for the Canonization). In the Shrine, you will view the painting of Our Lady of the Rosary, which appeared to Blessed Bartolo, inspiring him to compose the “Novena of Petition.” In the evening, we will transfer to Sorrento for dinner and overnight.

Today you will tour the Amalfi Coast, widely considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world; deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site as an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape. You’ll follow the 34 miles of winding roads, making a quick stop to view the breathtaking panoramic view of Positano. Continue through Praiano where you will drive by St. Gennaro Church, to Amalfi, one of the four maritime Republics of Italy, and view the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral consecrated to its patron, Saint Andrew. After lunch, transfer to the pier in Sorrento and travel to Capri by hydrofoil. The Isle of Capri is described in many ways: “The Blue Island,” “The Sleeping Beauty,” or better, “The Island of Love.” Due to its beauty, Emperor Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from this island for 10 years. Take a panoramic tour of the island by small minibuses and the Blue Grotto (weather permitting) by row boats with a local guide, including a visit to the wonderful Marina Piccola; the Salto di Tiberio, the “heart” of Capri; Piazza Umberto I, a small, closed off square resembling a courtyard; the gardens of Augusto, built on the ruins of ancient Roman structures. Return to Sorrento this evening for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will travel to the small town of Mugnano del Cardinale to the Sanctuary of St. Philomena, which contains her remains. St. Philomena was a virgin and martyr of the early church whose remains were originally found in the Catacombs. We will then head to the historic center of Naples, where we will visit the Capella Sansevero to view the “Veiled Christ” statue, one of the most celebrated statues in the world, sculpted in 1753 by Giuseppe Sanmartino. After lunch, we will visit the University of Naples, where Blessed Bartolo studied law. Next, we’ll visit the Church of Gesu Nuovo to visit the Tomb of Saint Giuseppe Moscati, a contemporary and friend of Blessed Bartolo. Finally, we will visit the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph of the Aged and the tomb of Servant of God Dolindo Ruotolo, the famous advocate of the Surrender Novena. In the evening, we will transfer to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Today we tour St. Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter the Apostle was martyred. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to view Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II. Next you will visit the Vatican Museum, where you can see the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and Sistine Chapel. After lunch, continue down the Appian Way, one of the earliest roads built in ancient Rome to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Catacombs. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Witness history on the momentous day Blessed Bartolo Longo is declared a Saint! Known for his brilliance, piety, and charity, as a young man, Blessed Bartolo was caught up in anti-Catholic nationalism while in law school, leading him to become a Satanist. However, through the help of one of his few devoutly Catholic professors, he experienced a deep conversion. He began working in hospitals to help the sick, and became a Third Order Dominican. He became a great propagator of the Rosary and a friend of Pope Leo XIII, who encouraged him to marry his client Countess Mariana di Fusco. The couple spent the rest of their lives founding schools and orphanages, in addition to other charitable works. Blessed Bartolo also wrote prayer manuals, and it was in his writings that Pope Saint John Paul II found the inspiration for the Luminous Mysteries. Before his death, Blessed Bartolo was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. We will make our way today to St. Peter’s Square to secure our spot for the canonization ceremony. Witness the grandeur, music, and moving speeches as Bl. Frassati is elevated to Sainthood. This unforgettable day concludes with dinner and an overnight in Rome.

Today we start with a visit the one of the oldest and major Basilicas in Rome, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. In the Basilica we will visit the Tomb of Pope Leo XIII, who encouraged Blessed Bartolo Longo to marry his wife. Next, you will cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. These Holy Stairs are believed to be the very steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. The Stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. Ascend these stairs on your knees, in memory of Christ’s agonizing Passion. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches which is believed to hold relics of the True Cross. We conclude our day with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This Church, dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, is the only Basilica that has kept its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and a restful overnight.

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Rome airport for return flights home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.