Jubilee of Families Pilgrimage

This morning, we celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St Anthony, followed by a guided tour, including the Chapel of the Reliquaries and St Anthony’s tomb.

In the afternoon we visit the impressive park of ‘Prato della Valle’ which includes the Basilica of Santa Giustina with its claimed relics of St Luke the Evangelist. Onwards to the infamous Scrovegni Chapel. The Chapel is a masterpiece in the history of painting in Italy and Europe in the 14^th century, considered to be the most complete series of frescoes executed by Giotto in his mature age.
Padua overnight (BD)

Venice comprises a dense network of waterways with 117 islands and more than 400 bridges over its 150 canals. Instead of main streets, you’ll find main canals, instead of cars, you’ll find Gondolas!

Today we travel out to Venice, known as Europe’s most romantic destination. Once we board our boat transfer, we enjoy our first glimpses of this unique city. Step into the world of powerful doges, merchants and explorers, and learn about Venetian culture and traditions through one of the city’s most dramatic landmarks.

Our time here begins with a guided visit and Mass in St Mark’s Basilica, built to house the saint’s remains. We then commence our walking tour, including St Mark’s Square and its famous monuments. See open squares with enchanting palaces, cross over stunning bridges, and walk down narrow passageways. View the Doge’s Palace and discover layers of rich history, from 14th-century foundations to a gilded staircase and the picturesque Bridge of Sighs.

Padua overnight (BD)

We farewell Padua today and journey to Ravenna, once the capital of the Western Roman Empire some 1,500 years ago. The city’s rare mosaics are thought to be the best preserved in Europe and our visit to the Basilica of San Vitale will give evidence to this reality. Our walking tour also includes highlights such as the Piazza del Popolo, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo including Arian Baptistery and the tomb of Dante.

Departing Ravenna we come to Bologna – one of Italy’s most ancient cities and home to its oldest university. We visit the Basilica of St Dominic, where the Order of the Preachers came to Bologna in 1218. After Mass, visit here the shrine to St Dominic, which to this day holds the saint’s sarcophagus. The church is a magnificent collaboration of skills, including the work of a young Michelangelo, visible in the angel candleholder on the right side of the saint’s tomb.

Continue on to Florence, home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.
Florence overnight (BD)

Our tour of Florence begins today with Mass at the Church of Santa Croce before continuing to the Academy of Fine Arts containing many treasures, including Michelangelo’s statue of David.

We will visit the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo, whose magnificent dome was created by Brunelleschi. Across the way are Ghiberti’s celebrated bronze doors to the Baptistery, so lovely that they are commonly known as ‘The Gates of Paradise’.

Florence overnight (BD)

Before departing Florence today, we will ascend the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo to admire the most beautiful view over the whole city.

We then travel to one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities, Siena, birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernadine. Upon arrival we will visit the medieval Cathedral of Siena (1263), dedicated to Holy Mary of the Assumption. We also visit St Dominic’s Basilica and view the incorrupt head of St Catherine, the mystical bride of Christ. After Mass we will walk through the narrow lanes to the Basilica of St Francis where we will view the Eucharistic miracle of the incorrupt hosts that occurred in 1730, defying all scientific testing. Continue on and stroll the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy’s finest Squares.

Departing Siena, we travel through the scenic Umbrian countryside to the pilgrimage centre of Assisi, where St Francis tended the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan Order. On arrival in this medieval hillside town, we will visit the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels down on the plains where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we will see the Portiuncula (meaning ‘small portion of land’) where St Francis returned for prayer, the thornless rose bush, and the chapel where he died in 1226. On Palm Sunday 1211, Francis received in this church Clare of Assisi and dedicated her to the Lord.

Assisi overnight (BD)

This morning we awake to the sound of chapel bells, cobblestone footsteps and the tangible spirit of St Francis preserved within the medieval walls of this holy town.

Our day in Assisi begins with a guided exploration of the buzzing Basilica of St Francis which occupies the entire western end of the upper town. Construction began in 1228, just two years after the death of Francis and was finally completed in 1250. The Upper Basilica houses the famous fresco cycle of the life of St Francis, historically attributed to Giotto. Wander through the marvels of the Upper Basilica before our tour descends to the crypt of the Lower Basilica where Francis was laid in 1230 and where we will take some time to seek the intercession of this spiritual legend.

We then stop at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore – Sanctuary of the Spogliazione where we are blessed with the opportunity to visit and pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis – a young Catholic from Italy with a passionate devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and an aptitude for computer programming. From the ages of 12 to 14, he designed a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles that have occurred around the world, which he launched in 2005. He died of leukemia a year later at the age of 15, offering his suffering for the pope and for the Church.

Our day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St Clare where we will proceed to the side chapel and pray before the relocated Holy Crucifix from which God spoke to Francis “Go and repair my Church which as you see is in ruins”. Here too we can also take the stairway down to the crypt where the body of Clare is on display.

Assisi overnight (BD)

Today we continue to explore some of Assisi’s upper town highlights including: the tranquil Church of San Damiano and the actual chapel where it all began when the voice of Christ spoke to Francis in the year 1205 (some may prefer to approach by foot down the hillside path in the spirit of St Francis). Adjacent to the chapel we find the first monastery of the Order of St Clare where Clare built her community in close friendship with Francis.

We then make our way by private taxis up to the Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri), an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the woods built on the site of a simple cave where St Francis often withdrew to spend many hours in prayer. The cave and the Chapel of Our Lady are preserved in the Hermitage grounds. Here we will celebrate our group Mass and have time for prayer and reflection.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon for continued personal prayer, reflection or rest.

Assisi overnight (BD)

We farewell Assisi this morning and journey south to the village of Subiaco, famous worldwide for its two Benedictine Monasteries and located in a magnificent natural setting along the Aniene River.

Enjoy a guided visit and Mass on arrival in the spectacular cliff-faced Monastery of St Benedict, which enshrines the sacred cave ‘Sacre Speco’ where St Benedict withdrew as a hermit to live for three years. He was eventually discovered in this cave and invited to become the superior of the nearby monastery of Vicovaro. However, the monks soon found his rule so unpleasantly strict that they tried to poison him. Benedict returned to his cave, but by then had attracted so many followers that he could no longer pursue the solitary life.

After our visit we then travel on to Rome, the Eternal City.

Rome overnight (BD)

The Jubilee Year is a time for Catholics to renew their commitment to their faith and to strengthen their relationship with God. It is also a time for Catholics to come together as a community and to celebrate their faith. The 2025 Jubilee Year is sure to be a memorable and meaningful event for Catholics around the world, to be blessed and refreshed for the mission that lies before us.

8:00am-6:00pm – Jubilee rites

8:00am-6:00pm – Jubilee rites

9:00am-5:00pm – Spiritual and cultural events throughout the city of Rome

10:00am – Mass with the Holy Father

*further details and specific Rome itinerary to be finalised, once official Jubilee program is released

Our day is free to discover more sights of Rome – perhaps throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain before strolling to the Piazza Navona to soak up the vibrant atmosphere. Indulge in a gelato or enjoy a coffee while absorbing and admiring the history of this ancient city. Strolling through the streets is like walking through the pages of a history book.

Rome overnight (BD)

Today we bid farewell to the Eternal City as we make our way to the airport for our homebound flights or ongoing travel connections.

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