Medjugorje & Italy Pilgrimage (15-28 May, 2025)

Medjugorje & Italy May 2025

itinerary

DAY 1 : [15 MAY 25] DEPART USA

Our pilgrimage begins... Assemble at SFO airport at early morning at 2.30 AM. Our Flight Delta Airlines DL 405 departs at 6.00
AM arrives at New York, JFK at 2.53 PM. Our connecting flight KL 642 departs at 5.35 PM flying to Amsterdam. Meals served
on board flight.

DAY 2: [16 MAY 25] AMSTERDAM - SPLIT/ Medjugorje [2 hrs. drive]

Morning arrival at Amsterdam at 6.50 AM and connecting flight KL 1971 departs at 9.50 AM and arrives at Split airport at 12.05 PM (noon) On arrival, you will be greeted by a tour guide or driver, who will take you on the 2 hrs. drive to the village of Medjugorje.

On June 25, 1981, in the mountain village of Medjugorje in Herzegovina, Our Lady allegedly appeared to six children. She identified herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, and continues to allegedly appear to several of the visionaries. Her mission is to promote peace with God and mankind, through her Son, Jesus. Mary's own words to the children explained, “I have come to tell the world that God exists.” Dinner will be served before you retire for the evening.

DAY 3 : [17MAY25] Medjugorje

After breakfast, we visit the famous Church of St. James to celebrate Mass. If present, we may have the opportunity to meet the Medjugorje Visionaries. We visitthe site where Our Blessed Mother first appeared to the children- Apparition Hill(Podbrdo) — we climb the hill praying the rosary. We may opt to climb Cross Mountain, which is difficult (Krizevac). In the evening return to our guesthouse for a delightful dinner.

DAY 4 : [18 MAY25] Medjugorje / Split [2 hrs. drive]

After breakfast we celebrate Mass in Medjugorje, then depart crossing the mountain border into Croatia. Our first stop is Makarska. This picturesque town is the center of the holiday area on the Croatian coast. We have free time for lunch on the promenade overlooking the beautiful bay. We continue along the coast road to Split. A sightseeing tour is included of the 3rd century Diocletian Palace and Cathedral, formerly the Mausoleum of the Emperor Diocletian. We board the JADROLINIJA Ferry for Italy. Departs at 8 PM

Enjoy dinner/breakfast onboard.

DAY 5 : [19MAY25] Ancona /Milan [5hrs. drive]

Our ferry arrives in Ancona (around 7AM) this morning- where we are greeted and board our private bus and head for the beautiful drive to Milan. Afternoon visit the famous “Last Supper” — Da Vinci's world-famous painting, and the Milan Cathedral — Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary- Duomo (location of the tomb of St Charles Borromeo) including a visitation to the Baptismal Font. Visiting the Basilica of St. Ambrogio (tomb of St. Ambrose) Evening free for shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele Il, this extravagant 19th- century glass -topped, barrel- fe
vaulted tunnel serves as a lively, noisy and colorful shopping mall.

DAY 6 : [20 MAY 25] Milan- Padua- Venice

Morning drive north to Padua to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony. After Mass we will continue on to Venice, one of Italy's most colorful cities. Evening we'll enjoy a walking tour of Venice, first visiting St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) which was built to house the remains of St. Mark. Also visit the famous Doges' Palace and “Bridge of Sighs”. Free to explore this fascinating city of islands on our own. Dinner and overnight stay at Mestre.

DAY 7 : [21 MAY 25] Venice- Pisa - Florence

Morning we will travel to “Leaning Tower of Pisa’ it is known for its nearly four-degree lean and Pisa Cathedral. We depart to to
Florence, visiting an artful experience as we take in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors. Continue on to the Galleria Dell Academia to see Michelangelo's “David”. This colossal nude Classical sculpture depicts the Biblical hero who killed the giant Goliath. Afterwards, visit Santa Maria Novella Church and Santa Croce. Dinner and overnight stay at Florence.

DAY 8 : [22 MAY 25] Florence- Siena — Assisi

Drive to Siena, the home of St. Catherine. Here we'll visit the sanctuary built on the site of her home and celebrate Mass at the Church of San Domenico where she lies in rest. We'll also visit the Duomo which is one of Italy's greatest cathedrals, the Basilica of St.Francis where we'll venerate the Eucharistic miracle of Siena, and the Piazza del Campo which is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Drive to Assisi, we will visit 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. Visit the Saint Carlos Acutis incorrupt body. We will then proceed to the Convent of San Damiano where the miracle of the Eucharist of 1211 took place, the Basilica of St.Francis where the saint lies in rest, and the Basilica of St. Clare. The remainder of the
day is free for personal activities. Those with the stamina may wish to take an optional walk-up Monte Subasio to Eremo delle Corceri, the St. Francis’ favorite retreat. Dinner and overnight stay atAssisi.

DAY 9 : [23 MAY 25] Assisi—Loreto —-Lanciano — San Giovanni Rotondo

Morning drive for 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. On the way to San Giovanni Rotondo, we stop in Lanciano, for a private Mass at the Church of St. Longinus- the site of a Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the miracle, there was a Basilian Monk, who struggled with the belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. During the time of Mass, the monk, with doubt in his
voice, said the words of consecration and the bread and wine transformed into physical flesh and blood. We drive to San Giovanni Rotondo and have dinner and overnight stay at San Giovanni Rotondo.

DAY 10 : [24 MAY 25] San Giovanni Rotondo— Rome

Morning visiting the quaint 11th century town where the famous Padre Pio spent most of his life. We will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine for Mitigating Suffering, which he founded and have Mass and visiting Santa Maria Delle Grazie, old crypt, Choir of Stigmata and Basilica San Pio da Pietralcina. Followed drives up to Monte Sant’ Angelo for a breathtaking view of the Gargano Peninsula and a visit to the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Departs for Rome and on arrival at Vatican City. Check-in hotel. Leisure for shopping. Dinner and overnight stay at Rome.

DAY 11 : [25 MAY 25] Rome

This morning, Visiting with our tour guide Basilica of St. Paul and Castel Sant Angelo National Museum, Afternoon Visit the Catacombe di San Sebastian & and followed by Church of Domine Quo Vadis and also visit the Trevi Fountain- we stop at the Trevi Fountain to throw in our coin to vow one day to return to Rome...!!

DAY 12 : [26 MAY 25] Rome

Today we visit The Vatican & visit the Vatican Museums. We will marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter's Basilica. Free time for lunch on our own. This afternoon we tour the sites including the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, "Moses." We visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, built in the 4th century. The Basilica was the site of five ecumenical councils between the 12th and 16th centuries. We walk to the Basilica are the Holy Stairs we have the option of climbing up on our knees. Dinner & overnight stay at Rome

DAY 12 : [27 MAY 25] Rome

After breakfast today, we visit the Basilica St. Mary Major, the first church dedicated to the Blessed Mother and built in the fifth century following the Council of Ephesus-where we celebrate Mass. Afternoon we tour her the sites by bus, including Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, Castel Sant' Angelo, Patheon and Palatine Hill
Tonight, we enjoy our farewell dinner in Rome.

DAY 12 : [28 MAY 25] Rome -USA

After breakfast, Check-out the hotel and drop off at Rome airport at 7 AM and our flight AF 1205 departs at 10.00 AM and arrives at Paris at 12.10 PM and Connecting flight AF 82 departs at 3.40 PM and arrives SFO airport at 6.00 PM.
Our return journey to home with warm memories of our pilgrimage, that will remain with us forever,

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