TOUR NO PIO0517 - click here for a printable reservation form

Mon, May 17th: New York/Venice
Depart Newark Airport on your overnight flight to Italy.

Tue, May 18th: Abano Terme/Padua
Upon arrival we meet our guide and are transferred to PADUA. After time to rest, we visit the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua where we have Mass near the Tomb of St. Anthony. After Mass, we have free time to tour the Basilica.  Remainder of the day is free. (B,D)

Wed, May 19th: Venice
This morning we are transferred to VENICE for our short cruise along the Grand Canal to the Church of St. Geremenia and St. Lucy for Mass and to view the body of St. Lucy.  After Mass we are transferred by motor launch to St. Marks Square for our tour of Venice including St. Marks Square where we view the Clock Tower with its famous Moors, then we visit St. Marks Basilica with its Byzantine and European architectural styles and dazzling mosaics.  We stop to pray at the tomb of St. Mark before continuing our walking tour of Venice.  We will have free time for lunch (on our own) and shopping before our late afternoon return to Abano Terme. (B,D)

Thu, May 20th: Abano Terme/Florence
Morning departure to FLORENCE. Upon arrival in Florence, we have a city tour that highlights many of the city’s priceless treasures including the Piazza del Duomo, center of religious life in medieval Florence. We visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.  Next we see the Baptistery with its’ masterfully crafted bronze doors – Michaelangelo declared them the “Gate of Paradise.”  We visit the Church of Santa Croce, burial place of Michaelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. We have time for lunch (on our own) before check-in at our hotel.  (B,D)

Fri, May 21st: Florence/Assisi
Morning departure through the, beautiful, Tuscan and Umbrian countryside to the medieval city of ASSISI.   Upon arrival in Assisi, we visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, where we see the Tombs of the two Saints.  Next we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where we see the Porziuncola (the little church St. Francis built). (B,D)

Sat, May 22nd: Assisi/Cascia/San Giovanni Rotondo
Today is the Feast Day of St. Rita of Cascia. St. Rita was born around 1380 at Roccaporena, Cascia, Italy. While quite young she felt the call to enter religious life, but at the age of fourteen, on the insistence of her parents, she married a young man of goodwill but rather restless by nature. However, through her own goodness, Rita was able to smooth over the rougher side of her husband's character and to live with him in harmony for about eighteen years. He was then murdered. Rita not only forgave his killers, but prayed to God that she would prefer the death of her sons rather than see them revenge the crime. As it happened, both died shortly after their father. Now totally alone, but still a loving woman, Rita thought of fulfilling the longings of her youth by seeking admission into the religious life. Having overcome formidable difficulties, she was received into the Augustinian convent of St. Mary Magdalene in Cascia. Here she lived as a cloistered nun for her remaining forty years of life. Throughout the final fifteen years, she bore the mark of a thorn of our Lord's Passion. According to our present day reckoning, she died on Saturday night, May 22, 1456. St. Rita was noteworthy in that she experienced all the possible states of life, and overcame the difficulties of each with a generous love and a profound spirit of penance, while always being a peacemaker and a healer of divisions. Her body is preserved in her sanctuary in Cascia.
After our visit, we continue to San Giovanni Rotondo where we visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace where we see Padre Pio’s Tomb and cell.  (B,D)

Sun, May 23rd: St Michael’s Cave
Morning departure to St. Michael’s Cave, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared. After our visit we return to San Giovanni Rotondo for Mass at Padre Pio’s Tomb and a visit to La Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital Padre Pio built. (B,D)

Mon, May 24th: San Giovanni Rotondo/Morcone/Pietrelcina
Today we depart for the birthplace of Padre Pio, PIETRELCINA. En route we stop at MORCONE where Padre Pio first entered religious life. After Mass we continue to Pietrelcina. Upon arrival we visit this quaint little town and Padre Pio's childhood home.  We will also visit the two churches where Padre Pio celebrated Mass as a young priest: Santa Maria degli Angeli and Santa Ana where Padre Pio was baptized. We will also visit Piana Romana where Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata.  (B,D)

Tue, May 25th: Pietrelcina/Rome
Today is Padre Pio’s birthday. We celebrate Mass in Pietrelcina before continuing to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome we visit St. Peter’s Basilica. (B,D)

Wed, May 26th: Papal Audience
This morning we go to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience (provided the Holy Father is in residence).  This afternoon we visit St Mary Major, St John Lateran and St Paul Outside the Walls.  This evening we go to Castel Gondolfo for dinner and to see the summer residence of the Holy Father. (B,D)Thu, May 27th: Rome - Morning Mass followed by departure to Rome airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)

It may become necessary to change the order of this pilgrimage but nothing will be eliminated.

Pilgrimage Price Per Person
Double/Triple $2,499.00 per person
Single $2,999.00

Pilgrimage Includes: Air Fare from Newark, Three & Four Star Hotels, Deluxe Motorcoach, Sightseeing as per itinerary, Continental Breakfast & Dinner Daily, Daily Mass and Rosary, Porterage (one piece of luggage) at hotels, Taxes & Service Charges, All tips for the guides and bus drivers are included**.

If you have any questions, please contact Susan DeBartoli
at Little Flower Pilgrimages at 888-843-7373 or email her at  susan@littleflowerpilgrimages.com.

Click here for a printable reservation form

You may charge your trip using your MasterCard, Visa or American Express

** This means that there will be no collections at the end of the pilgrimage for the guides and drivers.  If individuals feel that they would like to give someone a tip on their own because they felt they did an exceptional job, that is their personal decision. The Guides and Drivers tips are included in the price of the pilgrimage.