Description
TUSCANY-ORDINATIONS WEEK 2026
Join the seminarians of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest to celebrate the completion of a milestone on their incredible journey to priestly ordination. Attend sublime sacred ceremonies at the Institute’s church in Florence; all with the backdrop of the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance! Take part in the joy and happiness of the ordinands at a Gala Celebration in their honor, complete with Venetian fireworks! Also, discover the charming medieval pilgrimage city of Lucca, accompanied by a priest of the Institute!
Itinerary
June 27, 2026 – Saturday – Day 1 Afternoon flight departure from Chicago or NY (or your originating city) to Florence, Italy.
Day 2 – Sunday – Arrive in beautiful Florence with its charming Old World ambience, elegant pedestrian streets, and wonderful piazzas. Transfer to Hotel Paris in the historic city center, close to all the major sites on foot, including the Chiesa dei Santi Mich-ele e Gaetano “San Gaetano”, on Piazza degli Antinori – the Baroque-style church entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King-host of Ordinations Week ceremonies. Meet in the lobby to go to early evening Holy Mass.
Day 3 – Monday – A day in Florence, beginning at the Church and Museo San Marco, the former Dominican monastery with history from the 13th- Century; best known as the home of two important characters of the 15th-century- the Renaissance painter, Fra Angelico, and the prior, Girolamo Savonarola. Next, stop at Florence’s principal Marian shrine, Santissima Annunziata, famous for its miraculous fresco of the Annunciation. Continue to Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore, the amazing Duomo, whose experi-mental architecture sparked the Renaissance. Visit the Cathedral, with its breathtaking exterior and the Duomo Museum with an original Michelangelo Pieta sculpture. Ordinations Week 2026 opens today with a Cassock Reception & Solemn High Mass at San Gaetano Church.
Day 4 – Tuesday-Travel to Lucca in the Serchio River Valley, an ancient city with the scenic backdrop of the Apuan Alps, near the Ligurian Sea. Accompanied by a priest of the Institute, set out on a wonderful walking tour (to include a church with an exact replica of the Holy House). Discover St. Zita (13th-century patron of servants) and St. Gemma (19th-century mystic soul).
Day 5– Wednesday – Morning ordination ceremony at San Gaetano for those called to the Sacred Orders of the subdiaconate and the diaconate. This afternoon, enjoy some downtime to discover more gems of Florence at leisure.
Day 6-Thursday-The crown jewel of Ordinations Week – the Pontifical Mass of Ordination at San Gaetano. The ancient rite opens with drums announcing the solemn entrance of the presiding Cardinal and ordinands, and concludes with the joyous exit of the new priests. The epic nature of what transpires is awe-inspiring. Gala celebration at the International Seminary of St. Philip Neri in Gricigliano, to include the Te Deum, a wonderful dinner under the stars and fireworks over the Tuscan Hills.
Day 7– Friday – Return to the Seminary for 1st Masses & Blessings. Last afternoon at leisure in Florence.
July 4, 2026 – Day 8 – Saturday Morning transfer to Florence Airport for our return flights to the USA.
Terms and conditions
PAYMENT: A $500.00 deposit is required to hold a reservation. The tour cost is based on payment by personal check or bank transfer. There is a 3.5% surcharge for credit card use.
CANCELLATION POLICY:If a written cancel- lation notice is received beyond 90 days before departure, a full refund less $500.00 applies. If a notice is received within 90 days of departure, $500.00 plus any funds retained by the airline, hotels, and bus companies are non-refundable.
ITINERARIES: Daily itineraries are prepared in advance and are subject to change.
BAGGAGE & SEATING ON PLANE: Only a small carry-on bag is included in the cost. The cost of a suitcase (maximum of 50 pounds) to check-on the plane may or may not be an extra cost. Reserved Seating is normally assigned at check-in, with an option to purchase an assigned seat ahead of time directly with the airline.
DOCUMENTATION: All passengers must have a government-issued valid passport (with up to six months left from the trip return date). Check with the US State Department for the latest health requirements as they are subject to change.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Tour costs are based on double-room occupancy. Accommodation in a single room is available at a surcharge. 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 are at local restaurants.
AIR CARRIER RESPONSIBILITY:The airlines cannot be held responsible for any act, omission, or event when passengers are not on board the plane. The airlines, as international carriers, are subject to international conventions limiting their liability; the limitations of liability contained on the passenger’s airline ticket shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the passenger under the conditions stated on the ticket. The airlines are not responsible for any negligent acts and/or omissions of independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Tour participants fly jet service in economy class.
RESPONSIBILITY: Sacred Heart Tours acts only as an agent for the airlines, 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 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 tour’s 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.
WHATS INCLUDED
-Airfare from Chicago or NY (or fly from your closest major city for a low add-on cost – inquire for rates)
– 6 nights at three star Hotel Paris w/ private bath and breakfast
– 4 Dinners and 1 Lunch
– All touring as on itinerary
– Entrance fee to two museums
-1 full-day day excursion to Lucca
– 2 excursions to the seminary (According to demand, transfers to the seminary may be offered on other evenings at cost)
WHATS NOT INCLUDED
– Travel Insurance (optional – inquire with Sacred Heart Tours for a quote)
– Tips (50 Euros total suggested)