Italy has long stood at the heart of the Catholic faith, a land where the Church’s history, saints, and sacred traditions are woven into daily life. Fr Jacob Mlakar, St Francis of Assisi Parish and St Frances of Rome Parish invite you on pilgrimage through some of Italy’s most spiritually significant destinations, offering time for prayer, reflection, and encounter with the living heritage of Catholicism.
After arriving in Rome, we will celebrate Holy Mass at the first of four Major Papal Basilicas, St Paul Outside the Walls. We then continue on to Assisi the serene medieval hill town of St. Francis and St. Clare. In this place of simplicity and peace, pilgrims encounter a powerful witness to Gospel poverty, joy, and love for all creation.
The pilgrimage continues south to San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Padre Pio, one of the most beloved saints of modern times. Here, pilgrims are invited to reflect on the mystery of suffering, mercy, and reconciliation, drawing inspiration from the humble friar whose life was marked by deep union with Christ and compassionate service to countless souls.
On our return to Rome we the historic Abbey of Montecassino, founded by St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism. Perched high above the valley, this sacred place speaks of prayer, work, perseverance, and renewal—values that have sustained the Church and European civilization through centuries of trial and rebirth.
We finish our pilgrimage back in Rome, the Eternal City, where the Apostles Peter and Paul bore witness to Christ and where the universal Church finds its visible center. Here, pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of the martyrs, visit the three other Major Basilicas, visit the famous Roman Catacombs, tour ancient Rome including The Pantheon, Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
For many pilgrims, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Italy, and we hope you will join Fr Jacob on this journey of spiritual discovery. Please see itinerary below for more details, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. Many thanks, and God bless!
DAYS 1 & 2: Charlotte > Rome > Assisi
Depart USA on overnight flight to Rome, Italy. Upon arrival in Rome we will be greeted by our tour escort and bus driver. We start our pilgrimage with Holy Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls Major Basilica, one of the four major basilicas we will visit during our pilgrimage. We then make the scenic drive to Assisi for check-in at the hotel and our Welcome Dinner. (D)
DAY 3: Assisi
Today we say, "Buongiorno" to Assisi, a charming hill town in the heart of Umbria. Assisi is home to two of Italy's most revered Saints, St Francis and St Clare. We start our day with Holy Mass at the Papal Basilica of St Francis. After, we will enjoy and half-day guided tour of the Basilica of St Francis, the town of Assisi, the Basilica of St Clare, and the tomb of St Carlo Acutis. After lunch on our own and time to spend shopping or revisiting the Basilicas, we depart for The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Assisi valley. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which we will visit. The first structure, is the “Porziuncola”, which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second, is the “Capella del Transito,” which is the place of St. Francis’ death. During our time here, we will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight. (B|D)
DAY 4: Assisi ~ Loreto
After breakfast, we depart for a day trip to the Marian shrine of Loreto to visit the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loreto. Tradition holds that this is the house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, in which Jesus grew to manhood, and in which the Holy Family lived, before it was transported several times by angels, to its current location. After, we will enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at a beautiful winery in Le Marche. Return to Assisi with afternoon at leisure and dinner on our own. (B|L)
DAY 5: Assisi > Lanciano > San Giovanni Rotondo
Today we depart Assisi for San Giovanni Rotondo with a stop in Lanciano on the way where we will celebrate Holy Mass at the Church of Saint Francis built over the antique Church of St. Longinus. It was here the well-documented miracle of Lanciano, one of the oldest and most venerated Eucharistic miracles in the Catholic Church occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the miracle, there was a Basilian monk who struggled with doubts regarding the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist was celebrating Mass. During the consecration, after pronouncing the words of institution, the host visibly transformed into living flesh, and the wine in the chalice became visible blood. After lunch on our own, we continue on to San Giovanni Rotondo, the hometown of St. Padre Pio. Upon arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo, check-in at the hotel and for dinner and overnight. (B|D)
DAY 6: San Giovanni Rotondo ~ Monte Sant’Angelo
We start our day at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the original friary church where Padre Pio celebrated Mass for decades. Here, we will see the altar from which he offered the Eucharistic sacrifice, often accompanied by visible stigmata, and the small confessional where he spent countless hours hearing confessions. Next, we visit the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, an expansive modern basilica built to accommodate the millions who visit annually. Beneath the main church lies the crypt containing the incorrupt body of Padre Pio. We then travel to the grotto shrine of St. Michael the Archangel. Here St. Michael appeared to a bishop to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Following the visit to the grotto, we’ll enjoy free time before returning to San Giovanni Rotondo for dinner on our own. (B)
DAY 7: San Giovanni Rotondo > Montecassino > Rome
Following breakfast, we depart San Giovanni Rotondo and travel through the Puglia and Campania regions of Italy on our way to Montecassino Abbey, one of the most famous abbeys in the world. Founded by St. Benedict in 529 AD, the Abbey of Montecassino is one of the oldest monasteries in Italy. The original abbey was destroyed several times, most notably during World War II, but it has been reconstructed to preserve its historical and religious significance. After lunch we will have a guided tour and celebrate Holy Mass. We return to Rome for check-in and dinner at the hotel. (B|D)
DAY 8: Rome
After breakfast, we start the day with a tour of the famous Catacombs of St Callisto - one of the most extensive and significant catacombs in Rome, dating back to the 2nd century AD. Named after Pope Callixtus I, who expanded the catacombs during his papacy (217–222 AD), these underground burial chambers became a central place for Christian burials. We then visit Church of Domine Quo Vadis where tradition tells us St. Peter, fleeing from the city to avoid martyrdom, meets Jesus to whom he addresses the following words “Domine quo vadis (Lord, where are you going)?”Our next stop is the second Papal Basilica on our pilgrimage, St Mary Major. ​After, it's lunch at a local restaurant. We then visit St Peter in Chains Minor Basilica where tradition tells us the chains believed to have bound St Peter during his imprisonment in Jerusalem and Rome are housed. The relic is displayed under the main altar. The Basilica is also home to the third masterpiece of Michelangelo, "Moses." Next it's a walking tour of ancient Rome that includes exterior views of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and The Arch of Titus. We end the day with Holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint Frances of Rome. Dinner on our own this evening. (B|L)
DAY 9: Rome
This morning we visit The Vatican Museums, The Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. The Vatican Museums contain masterpieces of painting, sculpture and other works of art collected by the popes through the centuries. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the holiest sites in Christendom, standing on the traditional site where Peter was crucified and buried. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the last of the Major Papal Basilicas - St John Lateran Basilica and Cathedral, the home church of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. St John Lateran is the oldest christened church in the western church. We then visit The Holy Steps and the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Dinner on our own. (B|L)
DAY 10: Rome
Papal Audience -The Audience with the Pope consists of small teachings and at the end of the Audience, the Pope will pray the Our Father and impart his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd which also extends to loved ones that are sick and suffering. Next, it's off to the incomparable Piazza Navona and lunch on our own, After lunch we have a half day walking tour that includes the Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church, Church of the Gesu, Trevi Fountain and The Spanish Steps. Back to our hotel before our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B|D)
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DAY 11: Rome > Charlotte
Today we say "Arrivederci e grazie, Padre Jacob!" after an incredible pilgrimage in Italy. (B)