Description
YEAROFGRACEPILGRIMAGE
July 9-18, 2026
to Assisi in this Year of Grace with the friends of the Discalced Carmelites of the CA-AZ Province of St. Joseph in the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, the ‘Seraphic Father’. Visit Siena, Loreto, San Giovanni Rotondo, Mont Sant’ Angelo, Pompeii, Amalfi, Montecassino, and more. Off the beaten path, and with a slower pace, this exciting route makes room to encounter the wondrous saints of Italy in the places where they lived and breathed. Come join us and experience untold beauty!
Daily itinerary
July 9 -Thursday – Day 1 – MEET AND DRIVE TO SIENA Late this morning, meet at the Rome FCO Airport – Arrivals Hall. Transfer north to the Tuscan city of Siena – birthplace of St. Catherine,“Seraphic Virgin”. Two nights in Siena.
Day 2 – A DAY IN SIENA Visit the Domenico on Camporegio hill, where St. Catherine had mystical visions. Here are kept her major relics. See the Duomo, one of the finest examples of Italian Roman-esque-Gothic architecture, with an inlaid marble mosaic floor. A visit to St. Francis Basilica (the site of an 18th-century Eucharistic miracle) is also on the itinerary. Marvel at the Piazza del Campo, site of a famous bi-annual horse race, Il Palio.
Day 3 – DEPART FOR ASSISI Mid-morning arrival in Assisi, the 13th-century birthplace of Saints Francis & Clare and the Franciscan order. First visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Lower Town, built over the Transito where St. Francis died. See the Portiuncula chapel he restored which became the first Franciscan dwelling. Walking tour along the medieval streets to the Church of Santa Chiara. See the tomb of St. Clare as well as the crucifix from which St. Francis heard Our Lord imploring him to rebuild His Church. Spend time at Piazza del Comune, one of the best-preserved medieval squares in all of Italy, before continuing to San Fran- cesco wherein is the tomb of the Seraphic Doctor. As this is the 800th anniversary of his death, Pope Leo has declared a Year of Grace and granted a Plenary Indulgence for all who visit a Franciscan site this year. Overnight in Assisi.
Day 4 – DEPART FOR LORETO Mid-morning arrival in Loreto, just inland a few miles from the Adriatic coast in the Marches. Tradition holds that the House of the Holy Family of Nazareth was transported here by angels during the Ottoman Siege of the Holy Land in 1291. Visit the Santa Casa Sanctuary, built over the three walls of the Holy House. Overnight in Loreto.
Day 5 – MANOPPELLO & LANCIANO Depart for the Gargano Promontory (the spur of Italy’s boot), driving along the Adriatic Coast, with two stops: Manoppello (relic of the linen cloth of Christ) and Lanciano (8th-century Eucharistic Miracle). Arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo (2 nights).
Day 6– DAY IN SAN GIOVANNI A day to experience the town where the great Capuchin friar, St. Padre Pio, lived for fifty years until his death in 1968. Visit his Capuchin Friary and Church of Our Lady of Graces, where he offered daily Mass and heard confessions, as well as the new church with his tomb. Take an excursion to the Mont Sant’ Angelo cave where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490 AD.
Day 7– MUGNANO DEL CARDINALE Check out and depart for Mugnano del Cardinale; site of the Shrine of St. Philomena, a 3rd-century virgin-martyr whose tomb was found in the Roman catacombs (in 1802) and carried here in procession, with many miracles reported on the way. Two nights at a hotel in nearby Nola -dinner on the Bay of Naples.
Day 8–POMPEII & AMALFI Our Lady of the Rosary Sanctuary in Pompeii is our highlight today. Built by St. Bartolo Longo (1841- 1926), the former occultist who reverted to Catholicism and gave the rest of his life to honoring God through Mary. Drive along the Gulf of Salerno to visit the Basilica of San Andrea in Amalfi, housing the tomb of Saint Andrew the Apostle.
Day 9–MONTECAsSINO Check out and depart for Montecassino Abbey, founded by St. Benedict, the father of western monasticism, in 529 AD. He died here after receiving Communion, while standing with his arms raised. Overnight near Rome airport.
Day 10 -July 18 Morning airport transfer to the Rome FCO Airport.
Terms and Conditions
PAYMENT: A $500 deposit is required to hold a reservation. The cost is based on payment by personal check or direct bank transfer. Credit cards are accepted with a fee. CANCELLATION:If a written cancellation notice is received beyond 50 days before departure, a full refund less $500 applies. If received within 50 days of departure, $500 plus any funds kept by hotels, restaurants, bus companies & sights are non-refundable. ITINERARIES: Daily itineraries are prepared in advance. As they are subject to change, notice of daily timing is given the night before each new touring day. BAGGAGE: Baggage regulations for the tour are one carry-on size luggage (plus a personal item) and one larger luggage. DOCUMENTATION: All passengers must have a government-issued valid passport. Check with the US State Department for the latest requirements as they may change. SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Costs are based on double-room occupancy. Accommodation in a single room is available at a surcharge. TRAVELERS INSURANCE RECOMMENDED: St. Olav Enterprises, LLC (DBA Sacred Heart Tours) is not responsible for loss or damage to property due to handling and/or accidents. MEALS:The meals during the tour are pre-arranged. We will do what we can to assist special requests on a case-by-case basis. RESPONSIBILITY: Sacred Heart Tours acts only as an agent for the hotels, and bus companies or owners or contractors providing accommodations, transportation, or other services and all Coupons, Exchange Orders, Receipts, Tickets & Contracts issued by the company are issued subject to any and all tariffs and terms & conditions under which any accommodations, transportation, or any other services whatsoever are provided by such hotels, or bus companies or owners or contractors, and by the accep-tance of such coupons, exchange orders,
TERMS & CONDITIONS Receipts, Tickets & Contracts issued by the company are issued subject to any and all tariffs and terms & conditions under which any accom-modations, transportation, or any other services whatsoever are provided by such airlines, hotels or bus companies or owners or contractors, and by the acceptance of such coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets, the tour member agrees to the following and also agrees that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliates or subsidiary companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any property, person or otherwise in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services resulting, directly or indirectly, from acts of God, dangers incident to the sea, fire, machinery or equipment failure, acts of governments, or other authorities, dejure or de facto, wars (declared or undeclared), hostilities, civil disturbances, riots, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, cancellations or delays, of or changes in itinerary or schedule, or from any causes beyond the control of Sacred Heart Tours, or for any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient documents, and that neither Sacred Heart Tours nor any of its affiliated companies shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expense or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of any of the foregoing causes. If illness or other imperative reason compels a member to withdraw after a tour begins, there would be little or no refund as most all of the services are prepaid. There is no refund for the absence of sightseeing or meals. Sacred Heart Tours reserves the right to require any individual to withdraw from a tour if their conduct is deemed detrimental to or incompatible with the tours interest, harmony, comfort, and welfare. The airlines, bus companies, or any transportation company whose service is employed on the tour will not be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during which passengers are not on board their conveyance. When issued, the passage contract in use by these companies shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the tour purchaser.
