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Pilgrimage to Italy from September 5 to 16, 2024 (12 days / 10 nights)
Experience a pilgrimage to Italy in June 2024 in a guided group.
4,995.00$ – 5,545.00$
CULTURAL TRIPS
CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGES
En mars 2018, Pope Francis published a text on “the call to holiness in the contemporary world.” The life of Blessed Carlo Acutis provides an inspiring example! This first Canadian pilgrimage “In the footsteps of Blessed Carlo Acutis” offers a unique opportunity to discover the moving experience of a young teenager passionate about the Eucharist and who put new technologies at the service of the Kingdom of God.
Visit Milan, the city where he grew up, Assisi, where his body rests, and several places where Eucharistic miracles took place, such as Rimini, Cascia, Lanciano, and other miracles that are part of the extraordinary exhibition that Carlo Acutis conceived and realized.
Highlights
The Reverend Guy Simard was born in Quebec. After studying philosophy at Laval University, he moved abroad with the intention of joining the religious congregation Les Oblats de la Vierge Marie, whose general house is in Rome. Ordained a priest on June 12, 1983, by Saint John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, he spent the first three years of his priesthood in his congregation’s formation houses, assisting seminarians. In 1986, he was assigned to a renewal center in Quebec, located in the Diocese of Nicolet. For eleven years, his main apostolate involved giving retreats. Appointed to Montreal in 1997, he served as vicar and then pastor of different parishes. Currently, he is a vicar for two parishes in Repentigny, Quebec. The best way to understand Father Simard’s spirituality is to follow his blog titled “Dieu ma joie” (https://dieumajoie.blogspot.com/). The blog has surpassed over one million two hundred thousand page views to date.
Louise Normandeau is a layperson actively involved in the parish of St. Michel in the Diocese of Valleyfield. As a teacher for over 40 years, she has been actively involved in Haiti, particularly in the construction of classrooms in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince. Since 2020, she has been responsible for the Exposition on Eucharistic Miracles in Quebec, created by Blessed Carlo Acutis. Her commitment is to present the life of Carlo and his exhibition free of charge to all parishes that request it.
Departure from Montreal in the evening.
Arrival in Venice at 11:10 AM. Meet our tour guide after the baggage claim area and board a private bus to Milan (280 km – 4 hours drive) – Lunch break on the way. Once in Milan, we will check into our hotel. After some rest, we will visit the church of Santa Maria Segreta, which was Carlo’s parish church when he lived in Milan. Celebration Mass. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Today, we dedicate ourselves to Milan, the city of Saint Ambrose. According to legend, when Saint Ambrose was a baby in Rome, bees entered his mouth, attracted by the honey on his tongue. Saint Ambrose’s famous eloquence as a bishop (374-97) is widely credited with preserving the unity of the Church. His most famous convert was Saint Augustine. Saint Ambrose left such a mark on Milan that to this day, true Milanese are called Ambroisani. Continue with a panoramic tour; we will see the Castello Sforzesco, built by the Visconti dynasty, which became the residence of the Sforza family in 1450. Take a stroll around the central courtyard and gardens. Admire the imposing round curtains and the defensive wall designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Next, we will visit Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (pending confirmation). This afternoon, our guided tour includes the Gothic Cathedral (Duomo) and the city center. *Possibility of meeting with Antonia, Carlo’s mother, Rajesh, Carlo’s family employee, and/or Valentina, Carlo’s teacher. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, we will leave our hotel and drive approximately 4.5 hours to Rimini to see the Temple of the Most Holy Sacrament. This Eucharistic miracle was performed directly by Saint Anthony after being challenged by a certain Bonovillo to prove the truth of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Saint Anthony’s oldest biography reports Bonovillo’s exact words: “Father! I tell you before all these people: I will believe in the Eucharist if my mule, after fasting for three days, adores the Host you offer her rather than eating the food I give her.” The mule, although exhausted from hunger, knelt before the Host and refused her food. Celebration Mass. Check-in at our hotel, dinner, and overnight.
After breakfast and departure, we will drive approximately 4 hours to Siena, the birthplace of Saints Catherine and Bernardine. We will stroll through Piazza del Campo and visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint Francis (subject to confirmation). The latter contains the miraculous consecrated host that has remained intact since 1730. We will also visit the Basilica of Saint Dominic and celebrate Mass. In the late afternoon, we continue to Assisi (2 hours drive). Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
We spend the day in Assisi. After breakfast, we will explore the hometown of Saint Francis. In the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Francis lies the tomb of one of the most beloved saints of all time, Saint Francis of Assisi. We will also visit the Basilica of Saint Clare and the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to Saint Francis. In the afternoon, we will visit the Sanctuary of Stripping, part of the Church of Saint Mary Major, to pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, we will travel to Orvieto (90 km – 1.50 hours drive) to visit the cathedral that houses the holy corporal containing the blood from the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena, which led to the proclamation of Corpus Christi. Celebration Mass. After lunch, return to Assisi. In the valley of Assisi, we will visit the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and the place where the Eucharistic miracle occurred in 1240. We will see the Porziuncola (small church) and the Transito Chapel (where Saint Francis died). Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
06:30 Breakfast and departure 07:30 After breakfast, we will travel to Cascia (1.5 hours drive) to visit the Basilica of Saint Rita, the chapel with her incorrupt body, and celebrate Mass at the chapel of the Eucharistic miracle. In 1330, a priest called to administer Holy Communion to a sick person placed the host in his breviary. At the home of the sick person, he found that the host had turned into blood. We will also visit the monastery where Saint Rita spent most of her life to see the crucifix from which Saint Rita received the stigmata, her wedding ring, and her habit. After a lunch break, we will head to Loreto (150 km – 3 hours drive). Upon arrival, we will visit the Holy House of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph located inside the Basilica of Loreto, where it has been since 1294. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
07:00 Breakfast and departure. 08:00 This morning, we will travel to Lanciano (180 km – 2.5 hours drive). The holy miracle resides in the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle near Piazza Plebiscito. Celebration Mass. 12:30 Continue to Rome (250 km, 3.5 hours drive). Lunch break on the way. Arrival in Rome in the late afternoon, check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Today, we will leave the hotel and head to Alatri (95 km – 2 hours drive) to visit the Cathedral of Saint Paul the Apostle, where the reliquary of the 1228 miracle is preserved. A host turned into flesh after being stolen by a young woman who, on the advice of a witch, wanted to regain her lost love. We will then continue to the nearby village of Veroli (12 km – 30 minutes drive). Lunch break. In the afternoon, we will visit the Church of Saint Erasmus, where, during Easter 1570, the Holy Sacrament was exposed for forty hours of public adoration. The Infant Jesus appeared in the exposed Host and manifested many graces. Today, the chalice where the Holy Sacrament was exposed is preserved in the same Church of Saint Erasmus and is used once a year during the celebration of the Mass on Easter Tuesday. Return to Rome. We will stop at the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte for a visit and then return to the hotel for dinner. After dinner, we might decide to take an optional night tour of Rome to see the magnificent monuments of Baroque Rome: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Dinner and overnight.
This morning, we will start the day with the celebration of Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. We will then visit it with the guide. The visit to St. Peter’s Basilica offers the devout pilgrim an unforgettable experience. Our tour continues to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, where it is still possible today to see the miraculous imprint left by the Host that fell on the steps of the altar in the Caetani Chapel. We will then visit the other major basilicas in Rome: Santa Maria Maggiore and Saint John Lateran. Crossing the street, we might also visit the Holy Stairs. The afternoon is free. We might take advantage of being in the city center and take a nice walking tour to see the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Return to the hotel for dinner and the night (B).
07:00 Breakfast and departure. 08:00 Drive to the airport for the return flight.
*** Itinerary subject to change ***
PRICE
Early booking: $4,995 per person (double occupancy). Early booking discount of $100 if registered before May 5, 2024.
Regular price: $5,095 per person (double occupancy)
Single room supplement: +$550 per person.
*Spiritours offers the possibility of sharing. If it is impossible to pair you, Spiritours will cover the additional costs for registrations more than 60 days before departure but reserves the right to pair you even during the trip if needed.
* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on January 5, 2024.
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
REGISTRATION
Registration deadline: July 5, 2024 (60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). It is possible to register after this date, and a supplement may apply.
To register: you can register on our website (see the top of the travel webpage, on the right) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your deposit of $750. It is advisable to register as soon as possible because places are limited. Please attach a copy of your passport to your registration (for international travel only).
Travel insurance: For travel insurance, contact us to know your premium.
Number of participants: Minimum 24 – Maximum 35
Required documentation: All Canadian travelers going to Europe must have a passport valid for at least three months after the scheduled return date.
For more information, please contact
Audrey Marebe
(514) 374-7965, extension 200
audrey.marebe@spiritours.com
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