The Padre Pio Foundation of America. presents an 11 Day Pilgrimage to Italy

Transcription

1 The Padre Pio Foundation of America presents an 11 Day Pilgrimage to Italy Visiting Assisi, Montefalco, Rome, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo, St. Michael s Cave, Bari, Alberobello, Mugnano & Sorrento September 17 th - 27 th, 2013 Spiritual Director Rev. David Beaumont YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: Round trip air from JFK or Newark Airport -Taxes included (call for add-ons from other cities) First Class 3 & 4 Star Hotels Breakfast & Dinner Daily & 1 Umbrian Lunch Air-conditioned motor coach English speaking guide Sightseeing as per itinerary Porterage of one piece of luggage at hotels All taxes and service charges Daily Mass and Rosary Tips to Driver & Guide HIGHLIGHTS: Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi Visit the Tomb of St. Francis Visit the Tomb St. Clare at the Basilica of St. Clare Visit the Church of San Daminano Visit the Convent of St. Clare of Montefalco to see her incorrupt body Lunch at Antonelli Winery in Umbria Visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls Panorama of Rome Visit St. Peter s Basilica Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie Visit of the Tomb of Padre Pio in the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Mass at Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Pietrelcina home town of Padre Pio Visit the Basilica of St. Philomena Visit the Town of Sorrento Pilgrimage Price: $ 3, Double/Triple per person $ Single Supplement

2 Itinerary: Tue, Sept 17 th : New York/Rome - Depart JFK or Newark Airport on your overnight flight to Italy. Dinner served in flight. Wed, Sept 18 th : Rome/Assisi - Upon arrival at Rome airport we are transferred to Assisi. Upon arrival in Assisi we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli where we find the Porziuncola (the little church St. Francis built). Next we check into our hotel. After time to rest, we visit to Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, where we see the Tombs of the two Saints. Thu, Sept 19 th : Assisi - Today we visit the Church of San Daminano. The church and convent of San Damiano is where it all began in Assisi. It originally was a small Benedictine priory, dating back to In 1205, a young, restless, Francesco was praying before a 12 th century painted crucifix. Suddenly Christ on the crucifix came to life and spoke to Francis, saying, "Rebuild my church." Francis took the command literally at first, reconstructing the little church with his own hands. The church later became a favorite retreat for Francis and it was here that he wrote the first draft of his celebrated Canticle of the Creatures. St. Clare, close friend of Francis, founded her Order of the Poor Clare s at San Damiano in She lived here most of her life as its abbess and passed away in an upstairs room on August 11, Her body was transferred a few years later to the Basilica of St. Clare which was built in her honor. Fri, Sept 20 th : Assisi/Montefalco/Antonelli San Marco Winery/Rome Morning departure to Rome. En route we stop at Montefalco to visit the Convent of St. Clare of Montefalco, also known as, Clare of the Cross. Clare was born at Montefalco, Italy, around As a young woman she joined a convent of Franciscan tertiaries. This group established Holy Cross Convent at Montefalco in 1290, adopting the Rule of St. Augustine. Clare's sister Joan was the abbess of this community, but at her death Clare succeeded her. She led an austere life, being particularly devoted to the Passion of Christ and His Cross. When Clare died in 1308, an image of the Cross was found imprinted on her heart and her body remained incorrupt. She was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. Her feast day is August 17 th. The life of St. Clare reminds us that we are all called to a life of prayer and dedication. Still, we must not expect or anticipate special favors. We are to be satisfied with the simple relationship we establish with God. Her body and her heart are at the Convent. After our visit we continue to Antonelli San Marco Winery for wine tasting and an Umbrian lunch. Sat, Sept 21 st : Rome - This morning we have a Panorama of Rome. We see the Coliseum, the Roman Forum and the monument to Victor Emmanuel. We leave our bus for a walk through Rome. We start at Piazza Navona where we see the artist square and the cafes that line it. Minstrels pass from cafe to café entertaining the tourist. We continue through the side street of Rome to the Parthenon. We end our stroll at the Trevi Fountain where we stop to throw our coins in the Fountain. We rejoin our bus for the continuation of our panorama ending at St. Peters Square for a visit of St. Peter s Basilica. Remainder of the day is free to enjoy Rome on our own.

3 Sun, Sept 22 nd : Rome/Pietrelcina/San Giovanni Rotondo - This morning we travel south leaving Lazio and arriving at the region of Campania where we visit Pietrelcina, birthplace of Padre Pio. We visit his home, the Church of Santa Ana, where he was baptized and we have Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli. Next we stop at Piana Romana to visit the place where Padre Pio received the invisible stigmata. After our visit, we travel east passing into the region of Apulia to San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace. This evening we go to the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie for the, outdoor, midnight Mass, on the plaza, honoring Padre Pio. Mon, Sept 23 rd : Feast Day of Padre Pio Visit the English Office & St Michael s Cave Today we go to the English Office for a talk on Padre Pio. Next we visit the new Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina to see Padre Pio s Tomb. After the procession and free time for lunch we visit St. Michael s Cave where St. Michael the Archangel appeared. Tue, Sept 24 th : San Giovanni Rotondo/Bari/Alberobello/San Giovanni Rotondo - Our route continues south through Apulia, to Alberobello. En route we stop at the Basilica of St. Nicholas of Bari to see the relics of St. Nicholas. The remains of St. Nicholas were taken from southern Turkey in They lie in the crypt and are the source of pilgrimage for Catholic and Orthodox Christians. After our visit, we continue to Alberobello to see the world famous trulli buildings which can only be found in this area. Their origin is obscure. It is suggested that these buildings, dating from the med-14 th century, evolved to provide a rustic building that could be quickly erected and dismantled in order to avoid punitive taxes on permanent houses. A trullo is made of limestone blocks and mortar-less or dry-stone construction. Many of the inhabited ones have added mortar in recent years. After our visit, we return to San Giovanni Rotondo. Wed, Sept 25 th : San Giovanni Rotondo/Mugnano/Sorrento - Morning departure to Sorrento. En route we stop at the Shrine of St. Philomena in Mugnano. In spite of much research, little is known of the life of Saint Philomena before the discovery of her celebrated tomb in the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome. The only information we have about the life of the Saint is derived from the revelation that she herself made to the Servant of God, Sister Maria Luisa of Jesus, her fervent devotee, on August 3, Speaking to the holy sister while she was in prayer before a statue of her, the Saint recounted in detail all her life. After our visit, we continue to Sorrento. Upon arrival we have a walking tour of the city. Thu, Sept 26 th : Sorrento - Free day Optional Tour to Pompeii and Capri Fri, Sept 27 th : Sorrento/Naples/USA - Morning departure to Naples airport for our return flight to the USA.

4 Reservation Form Tour No. PIO0917 Name (as it appears on your passport): Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: address: Will your room be a: ( ) single (limited) ( ) double ( ) triple Name of Roommate: Are you a US citizen? ( ) Yes ( ) No Date of Birth Passport No. Expiration Date Contact in the USA Telephone No. Relationship Please return this form with your check to: LITTLE FLOWER TOURS & TRAVEL, LTD. 145 Fieldstone Road, Staten Island, New York or outside NY call A $ DEPOSIT IS DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE July 1, 2013 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $ deposit, $ is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $ penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $ penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE AND ADVISABLE If you have a pre-existing condition, it is important that you take Travel Insurance within 10 days of booking. Signature: In the event that a group does not travel due to low participation, passenger deposit will be returned 30 days after cancellation. Date: Credit card ( ) MasterCard ( ) Visa ( ) American Express Account #: Expiration date: Name (as it appears on your card) Billing Address: Amount to be charged: $ Signature: Date:

5 EVERYONE MUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND SIGN IT BELOW. If you are NOT taking the Travel Insurance you must still fill out the Insurance form below and indicate NO in the premium box and return it with your reservation form. Please note that insurance is strongly recommended but is optional. If you want to receive a waiver for pre-existing conditions, your premium must be received by Little Flower Tours within 10 days of your initial trip deposit/payment, provided you are not disabled from travel at the time of your premium payment. Insurance payments are non-refundable. Tour Number Tour Name Premium PIO Day Padre Pio Pilgrimage $ Double/Triple $ Single Insurance Form Name Address: Tour Number PIO0917 W City: State: Zip: Telephone: Are you a US citizen? ( ) Yes ( ) No Additional Family Names I will take the Insurance ( ) Yes ( ) No Premium $ per person Double/Triple $ per person Single Please make your Insurance Premium check payable to Little Flower Tours & Travel Ltd.: LITTLE FLOWER TOURS & TRAVEL, LTD. 145 Fieldstone Road, Staten Island, New York or outside NY call If you want to receive a waiver for a pre-existing condition, your premium must be received by Little Flower Tours within 10 days of your initial trip deposit Signature Date