Pick up from the airport or meet at the hotel.
We start the journey of Carlos Acutis is life and passion of Eucharistic Miracles "his highway to heaven". From the hotel you can find one of the miracles that he documented on his website.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF ROME, 1610
It is still possible today to see the miraculous imprint left by the Host which fell on the steps of the altar in the Caetani Chapel of Santa Pudenziana Church in Rome. The imprint on the step was left when the Host fell from the hands of a priest, who, while celebrating Mass was taken with doubt on the Real Presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Santa Pudenziana is one of the oldest churches in Rome. According to a great number of historians, the Roman Senator Pudente gave hospitality to the Apostle Peter in his home, which stood exactly where the church’s foundation lies. The name of the church is said to derive from the name of the Senator’s daughter : Pudenziana.
Pudenziana and her sister Prassede, although never martyred, became famous because they wiped off the blood of martyrs after their execution. The church is adorned by numerous Roman mosaics from the early Christian era and was constructed in 145 A.D. on the site where there stood the house of Senator Pudente, according to the wishes of his daughters Prassede and Pudenziana. On the altar steps of the Caetani Chapel, constructed by the Caetani family, to this day there is the imprint and the stain of Blood left by a Host which fell from the hands of a priest while celebrating the Mass. The man was overtaken by doubts about the Real Presence of Jesus in consecrated Host, and immediately after the consecration, he inadver-tently let the Host fall to the ground, where the imprinted mark is still visible today.
Today starts with an intense introduction to the life of St. Peter and St. Paul from a very exclusive spot when Rome is still sleeping. Then stop at the Mamertine Prison, where the two Saints were kept in chains under Emperor Nero. Move to the Aventine Hill, the place where the early Christians started to profess their religion. Visit what once were the first two Domus Iglesias, today known as the Church of Saint Sabina and Saint Prisca, under which the first Christians met in secret.
Move to the Appian Way and explore the Church of Quo Vadis, where you will find amazing evidence of the life of the two Saints. Visit the Catacombs where the early Christians were buried, even if persecuted by the Romans.
12:00 Take a break for lunch before heading to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Explore the Basilica built on top of the tomb of St Paul. Next, visit the Cathedral of Rome, where there is evidence of the power of the Church after Constantine stopped the persecutions of the Christians: Saint John in Lateran.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF ROME, SIXTH-SEVENTH CENTURIES
This Eucharistic Miracle, whose relic is still preserved in the Benedictine Monastery of Andechs, Germany, is verified by numerous written sources. The authentication took place in Rome in 595 during a Eucharistic celebration presided by Pope St. Gregory the Great. At the moment of receiving Holy Communion, a Roman noblewoman began to laugh because she had doubts about the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated Bread and Wine. The Pope, troubled by her disbelief, decided not to give her Communion and then the Bread turned into Flesh and Blood.
Having just finished praying, he saw that part of the bread, prepared by the woman, become Flesh and Blood. The woman repented, kneeled on the ground and began to cry
Vatican City
At the Pontifical State's discretion, the audience might be celebrated in St. Peter's Square or in the Nervi Hall. Experience an intense spiritual moment of emotions and reflections with people from all over the world assisting to the Papal Audience. Feel free to pray or just be part of one of the most popular and stunning traditions in the world. Absolutely not to be missed! Short panoramic tour crossing Via Nazionale, Piazza Venezia, Corso Vittorio, Corso Rinascimento, Lungotevere, drop off at Piazza dei Tribunali (located about 1 km from St. Peter's Basilica). To reach the Basilica you will walk close to Castel Sant'Angelo and along via della Conciliazione. Your guide will lead you into the museums in a very short time with our dedicated skip the line, and you will visit one of the most important art collections in the world. Admire the Gallery of Tapestries and the Geographical Maps before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel and the unforgettable Basilica.
From Rome to Pescara via Lanciano and Alatri.
Framed by the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the Apennine Mountains, Pescara is the capital city of the Province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. This vibrant city serves a gateway to the surrounding mountains as well as a popular seaside resort complete with long promenade-lined beaches, colourful markets, and a bustling pedestrianised waterfront area. With its lively party scene, laidback beach cafes, and impressive museums and architecture, Pescara truly has something to delight every traveller. Whether you are looking to browse designer boutiques, lounge on the beach with a cocktail, or explore the remarkable natural treasures of the surrounding area, you are sure to find much to keep you blissfully engaged in the idyllic seaside city of Pescara.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF ALATRI, 1228
In Alatri’s Cathedral of Saint Paul the Apostle is kept even today the reliquary of the Eucharistic miracle that occurred in 1228 and consisted in a fragment of the Host turning into flesh. A young woman, in an effort to regain the love of her sweetheart, consulted a sorceress who ordered her to steal a consecrated Host to make a love potion. During Mass, the young woman hid a Host in a cloth. But when she got home, she realized that the Host had been transformed into bleeding flesh. This miracle has extensive documentation, including from Pope Gregory IX.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF LANCIANO, 750 A.D.
An inscription in marble from the 17th century describes this Eucharistic miracle which occurred at Lanciano in 750 at the Church of St. Francis. “A monastic priest doubted whether the Body of Our Lord was truly present in the consecrated Host. He celebrated Mass and when he said the words of consecration, he saw the Host turn into Flesh and the Wine turn into Blood. Everything was visible to those in attendance. The Flesh is still intact and the Blood is divided into five unequal parts which together have the exact same weight as each one does separately.
Explore the coastal city of Pescara, including a trip to the Abbey of Santa Maria in Moscufo. The Benedectine abbey of Santa Maria del Lago (XII century) noted for it's famous pulpit of Nicodemo ( 1156 ).
And then we are off to Assisi.
Assisi
A holy city for the Christian world, Assisi is a popular destination for pilgrims who want to explore the places where Saint Francis lived his entire life. Perched on the summit of Mount Subasio, this small town is one of the most important centers in Europe from a historical standpoint.
Assisi and its Franciscan sites were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their unique examples of medieval art and architecture. This sanctuary town has Umbrian origins and played an important role from the Middle Ages onward.
The Basilica of St. Francis is undoubtedly the center of this settlement, featuring an extraordinary architectonic complex that had an impressive influence on the development of art and architecture, not only in Umbria, but also in the rest of the country and Europe.
Assisi is also the birthplace of the Franciscan Order. The Cult of St. Francis emerged in the Middle Ages, shortly after the official canonization of the saint on July 16, 1228. Since then, it diffused throughout the world in an attempt to share a message of peace and tolerance.
Having maintained its essential role over the centuries, Assisi is undoubtedly one of the most important historical cities, not only in Italy, but in the world.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI,1240
The History of Saint Clare, Virgin, tells of various miracles performed by Saint Clare. There are episodes of multiplications of loaves, of bottles of oil that appeared in the convent when there was none before. But Clare performed the most famous of the miracles in 1240, on a Friday in September, in which she turned away an attack by Saracen soldiers who had broken into the convent cloister by showing them the Sacred Host.
Free day in Assisi to explore this lovely town.
The town has narrow, winding streets and is surrounded by medieval walls. It developed from the Umbrian, Etruscan, and Roman town of Assisium, of which the temple of Minerva (now a church) is the most notable survival. Subject to the dukes of Spoleto in the early Middle Ages, Assisi became an independent commune in the 12th century and was involved in internal disputes and wars with Perugia before passing to the Papal States in the 16th century. It became part of the Italian kingdom in 1860. St. Francis was born in Assisi in 1182 and died there in 1226.
The Grave of Carlo Acutis in Assisi:
He was buried in the cemetery in Assisi in accordance with his wishes. In January 2019, the mortal remains of the Venerable Carlo Acutis, were exhumed in accord with Canon Law and transferred to a suitable location (reportedly the Capuchin Monastery here in Assisi). Then on April 6, 2019 his body was moved to its permanent place inside the Church of Saint Mary Major (not the one in Rome…this one is in Assisi) in a chapel Santuario della Spogliazione (the Shrine of the Stripping).
Assisi to Florence
Travelling today to the region of Tuscany we visit Siena and Volterra.
Siena is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. The city’s 17 historic “contrade” (districts) extend outward from the piazza.
Volterra is a walled town southwest of Florence, in Italy. The central Palazzo dei Priori has medieval frescoes and a bell tower with expansive views. Volterra Cathedral has a marble entrance and a gilded coffered ceiling. Nearby are the remains of the Etruscan Acropolis. The Guarnacci Etrurian Museum has a rich collection of archaeological artifacts. The Roman Theater complex includes the ruins of 3rd-century baths
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF SIENA, 1730
Eucharistic Miracle of In the Basilica of San Francesco in Siena, 223 consecrated Hosts are kept intact for 276 years. Archbishop Tiberio Borghese closed unconsecrated hosts in a sealed tin box for ten years. The scientific commission put in charge when the box was reopened, found only worms and rotted fragments. The Siena event is against any physical and biological law, the scientist Enrico Medi stated: “This direct intervention from God is the miracle [...], accomplished and maintained for centuries, to testify to the permanent reality of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrament”.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF VOLTERRA, 1472
Eucharistic Miracle of In 1472, during the war that broke between Volterra and Florence, a soldier from Florence, having entered in the Cathedral of Volterra, managed to take possession of the precious Ciborium of ivory which contained numerous consecrated Hosts. As soon as he left the Church, taken by a fit of fury against the sacramental Jesus, he threw the ciborium with its precious content against a Church wall. From it, came out all the Hosts, which - illuminated by a mysterious light - elevated themselves in the air and remained suspended for a long time. Many are the witnesses that were present at the event.
Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF FLORENCE, 1230-1595
The reliquaries of two Eucharistic miracles which took place in 1230 and 1595 are held in Florence’s Church of Saint Ambrose. In the 1230 miracle, a distracted priest left several drops of consecrated wine in the chalice after Mass. The next day, returning to celebrate Mass in the same church, he found in the chalice drops of living Blood coagulated and incarnated. The Blood was immediately kept in a crystal cruet. The other Eucharistic miracle took place on Good Friday in 1595, when several fragments of the Host were miraculously unharmed in a church fire.
After exploring Florence we now travel through the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and towards the region of Emilia-Romagna, stopping at Ferrara on the way to Bologna.
Emilia-Romagna is the region in northern Italy, extending from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River in the north. It's known for its medieval cities, rich gastronomy and seaside resorts. The capital, Bologna, is a vibrant city with an 11th-century university and arched porticos lining the streets and squares of its medieval core.
Ferrara is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region. It’s known for the buildings erected by its Renaissance rulers, the Este family. These include the moated Este Castle, with its lavish private chambers. The family also built the Diamanti Palace, which is clad in diamond-shaped marble blocks and home to the National Picture Gallery. The Romanesque Ferrara Cathedral has a 3-tiered facade and a marble bell tower
Church of Santa Maria in Vado
Of ancient origins, the church was built near a ford (vado in Italian) that crossed one of the many canals that intersected the area. The interior of the church has the layout of a basilica, with three aisles divided by columns, an apse and a transept. Worthy of note in the lateral aisles is the Madonna of Constantinople in the fourth bay on the right. The ceiling is decorated with five paintings by Carlo Bononi (1569-1632), in which the artist demonstrates all his mastery of the foreshortened view from below.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF FERRARA, 1171
Eucharistic Miracle of This Eucharistic miracle took place in Ferrara, in the Basilica of Saint Mary in Vado, on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1171. While celebrating Easter Mass, Father Pietro da Verona, the prior of the basilica, reached the moment of breaking the consecrated Host when he saw blood gush from it and stain the ceiling vault above the altar with droplets. In 1595 the vault was enclosed within a small shrine and is still visible today in the monumental Basilica of Santa Maria in Vado.
Time to explore Bologna before heading on our way, on the road less travelled, discovering the nearby villages and towns Before arriving in Milan.
Most of Bologna’s basilicas and piazzas are downtown, navigable by foot via a network of walking streets. From Piazza Maggiore, climb up Asinelli Tower for panoramas over the city. Window shop through the Quadrilatero, or follow the aroma of freshly baked goods to historical markets where you can also sample Mortadella, among Bologna’s prized cured meats. Be it for pleasing the eyes or taste buds, this will get you discovering the best of Bologna.
Our day trip today takes in Turin and Asti.
TURIN
Turin is the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy, known for its refined architecture and cuisine. The Alps rise to the northwest of the city. Stately baroque buildings and old cafes line Turin's boulevards and grand squares such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo.
The Shroud of Turin (Italian: Sindone di Torino), also known as the Holy Shroud[2][3] (Italian: Sacra Sindone [ˈsaːkra ˈsindone] or Santa Sindone), is a length of linen cloth bearing the negative image of a man. Some describe the image as depicting Jesus of Nazareth and believe the fabric is the burial shroud in which he was wrapped after crucifixion.
First mentioned in 1354, the shroud was denounced in 1389 by the local bishop of Troyes as a fake. Currently the Catholic Church neither formally endorses nor rejects the shroud, and in 2013 Pope Francis referred to it as an "icon of a man scourged and crucified".[4] The shroud has been kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Turin, in northern Italy, since 1578.[2]
In 1988, radiocarbon dating established that the shroud was from the Middle Ages, between the years 1260 and 1390.[5] All hypotheses put forward to challenge the radiocarbon dating have been scientifically refuted,[6] including the medieval repair hypothesis,[7][8][9] the bio-contamination hypothesis[10] and the carbon monoxide hypothesis.[11]
The image on the shroud is much clearer in black-and-white negative—first observed in 1898—than in its natural sepia color. A variety of methods have been proposed for the formation of the image, but the actual method used has not yet been conclusively identified.[12] The shroud continues to be intensely studied, and remains a controversial issue among scientists and biblical scholars
ASTI
Asti is situated in northwest Italy in the region of Piedmont. This attractive destination, less than an hour from Turin, is known for its local wines and rich selection of cultural sights. Begin in the northern section of town, where the greatest concentration of medieval structures is to be found, such as the Piazza Roma, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the octagonal-shaped Bapistry of San Pietro. Known as the ‘City of 100 Towers’, the most impressive are Torre de Regibus, Torre Troyana and Torre Rossa, which was constructed under the Roman Emperor Augustus. With vineyards stretching from the outskirts of town, there are many local wines to sample, but the most famous is the sparkling variety of Asti Spumante.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF TURIN, 1640
During the invasion by Count Harcourt’s army, the soldiers entered the Church of St. Maria del Monte and killed many civilians. The lives, however, of the Capuchin friars were spared. A French soldier succeeded in opening the tabernacle which contained a ciborium with several consecrated Hosts. Flames of fire miraculously blazed out to envelop him - burning his face and his clothing. The door of the tabernacle which is adorned with agate and lapislazzuli or blue stones still shows the imprint of the soldier’s scorched hand.
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF ASTI, 1535
In both the Eucharistic miracles of Asti from the consecrated Host gushed out real blood and there are numerous documents that confirm these events. In the first miracle, Mons. Scipione Roero had a notary act drawn up and Pope Paul III on November 6, 1535 granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who visited the Church of San Secondo on the anniversary of the miraculous event.
A visit to Milan would not be complete without seeing the breathtaking Duomo Cathedral, located in the heart of the Piazza del Duomo in the very centre of the city. The remarkable Gothic cathedral is among the largest in the world, standing at 354 feet tall and 302 feet wide. Construction of the church began in the 14th century and took almost six centuries to finish, though renovation works and upkeep will likely continue indefinitely. Once inside, travelers are hard-pressed not to fall in love with the beauty of this magnificent cathedral.
The southern side of Piazza del Duomo is dominated by the Archbishop’s Palace and the Royal Palace, which date back to the 18th century and today host interesting art exhibitions. On the opposite side of the square is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning arcade that is the oldest shopping mall in Italy and nicknamed “salotto di Milano,” or Milan’s living room. Walking through the Galleria, visitors will reach Piazza Della Scala, home of Teatro alla Scala.
The pilgrimage will end today after breakfast. Transfers or onward journeys can be arranged.
