Pilgrimage to Northern Italy to visit the Shrines of St. Gianna Beretta Molla
and the Holy Shroud of Turin
And Much More...
April 26 - May 4, 2010
St. Gianna Day 1 – April 26, 2010 Depart USA
We board our trans-Atlantic flight at Newark International Airport to Milan, Italy. Dinner and entertainment aloft.
Day 2 – April 27, 2010 Milan/Magenta
Upon arrival at Milan/Malpensa International Airport you will be met by your driver and escort for a short transfer to your 4 Star Hotel in the town of Magenta where St. Gianna was born. All 7 nights will be spent in this hotel. There will be ample time to rest and refresh before celebrating Mass at St Martin Basilica followed by a brief orientation of the village. Meet Mother Virginia Beretta, a nun and the sister of St. Gianna who will join us for Mass and tell us about her saintly sister. Meet and greet your small group of fellow pilgrims at a welcome dinner (included) and overnight.
Day 3 – April 28, 2010 St. Gianna Feast Day/ Mesero & Magenta
Celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, patron Saint of wives, mothers and physicians. You will have the extraordinary opportunity to meet the Saint’s family and attend a lecture on the life and virtues of St. Gianna given by the son and one of the daughters of the saint. Visit the village of Mesero where St. Gianna practiced medicine and was laid to rest just 48 years ago. Special prayers at the tomb of St. Gianna then visit her office where she cared for her patients. We will visit the Shrine dedicated to St. Gianna which is a beautiful 13th century church recently renovated and established by the diocese of Milan as a Shrine to the Family dedicated to St. Gianna. We will visit Ponto Nuovo where St. Gianna lived after her marriage. There we will see the house where she lived the last years of her life and where she died. A few paces from the house we will visit the little chapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel where St. Gianna’s four children were baptized and she attended Mass and prayed daily. Lunch (included) overnight Magenta.
Day 4 – April 29, 2010 Shroud of Turin/Magenta
Today we will travel to the city of Turin to venerate the Holy Shroud displayed in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Upon arriving in Turin we will attend a private lecture presented by one of the foremost experts on the Shroud in preparation for the afternoon visit to the actual Shroud. Reputed to be the burial cloth of Christ, the Shroud is an amazing sight; a linen cloth 14’ 3” long by 3’ 7” wide bearing the distinct image of a crucified man. The last time the shroud was displayed publicly was during the Jubilee Year 2000. It was not due to be displayed again until 2025, however, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has authorized it to be displayed for a brief period in 2010. We will celebrate Mass before returning to Magenta for dinner (included) and overnight.
Day 5 – April 30, 2010 St. John Bosco – Turín/Magenta
Today, trace the footsteps of Saint John Bosco, called the apostle of the young, a Catholic priest and educator, who put into practice the dogma of his religion, employing teaching methods based on love rather than punishment. He placed his works under the protection of Francis de Sales, thus his followers today call themselves the Salesian Society. We will visit the village of “Castelnuovo Don Bosco” here we will celebrate Mass and visit the Basilica dedicated to San Giovanni Bosco. This is the village where he was born and worked. The house is surrounded by other religious structures, which contribute to this town being considered one of the most important places of Salesian activity in Italy and elsewhere. We continue on to Valdocco (Turin), where we will see Don Bosco's remains in the Church of Mary Help of Christians. Dinner (included) and overnight in Magenta .
Day 6 – May 1, 2010 St. Anthony - Padua/ Magenta
Today transfer to the old university town of Padua, the home of one of the most revered Catholic Saints, Saint Anthony. Upon arrival, begin a half-day guided tour of the city’s sights starting with the “Santo,” a name used to describe Saint Anthony’s Basilica, where we will celebrate Mass today.
The Basilica, begun in 1235, just 19 years after the death of Anthony, was completed in 1301. It was built in the Byzantine style so characteristic of the Veneto region. The architecture in Padua includes 22 more churches and 30 secular palaces. Padua also features many other famous works of art, Giotto’s frescos in the Capella degli Scrovegni, Gattamelata, Donatello’s sculpture of a rider, the University of Padua (circa 1222 AD), one of the oldest in the world. Also located in Padua is the historic Cafè Pedrocchi; time allowing, we will stop for a coffee at this world famous café of the artists. Dinner (included) overnight in Magenta.
Day 7 – May 2, 2010 Lake Como/Magenta
Today’s full-day excursion will bring us to enjoy the beauty of Lake Como. The fashionable lakeside city of Como is surrounded by the Medieval city walls. We will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral, Duomo of Santa Maria Maggiore built in 1396 in the Romanesque style with its characteristic Rose Window. The Lake; a peculiar shape, an upside down Y, is glacial in origin and surrounded by the beauty of the snowcapped Alps. After visiting the historic city center of Como, for those who wish we can take a take an “optional” (price TBA) panoramic cruise on Lake Como to the enchanting village of Bellagio (weather permitting). Alternatively, you can remain in the city to shop or relax at one of the many cafés or take the Funicular high up to the village of Brunate, overlooking a spectacular view the Lake, mountains and city. Return to Magenta for overnight.
Day 8 – May 3, 2010 Milan
Today visit the city center of Milan. Of particular interest is the Duomo (the Basilica of Milan,) where we will pause for prayer. The Duomo is the 4th largest church in the world and took five centuries to complete, second in size to Saint Peter Basilica in Rome. It also has the distinction of being the second largest Gothic cathedral in the world, after the Cathedral of Seville in Spain. In the crypt we will see the actual baptismal place where St. Amrose baptized the great St. Augustine of Hippo. We will visit the Basilica of St. Ambrose where the relics of St. Ambrose remain exposed for veneration. Noted for its architecture, this basilica was consecrated by St. Ambrose in 387 AD. It became the model for all Lombard Romanesque churches. We will view “La Scala Opera House” from the outside and the famous Galleria of Milan. This evening’s farewell dinner is included and overnight in Magenta.
Day 9 – May 4, 2010 Milan/USA
This morning after breakfast we will transfer to Milan MalpensaAirport for our return flights to the USA. We will carry with us the wonderful memories of this most spiritual journey and perhaps a deeper devotion and appreciation of this contemporary role model of our faith, Santa Gianna Beretta Molla wife / mother / physician / lover of life!
The Pilgrimage:
INCLUDES:
English Speaking Tour Manager from arrival day to departure day
Breakfast Daily & All other meals as per itinerary
First Class 4**** Hotel
Luggage Handling at Hotel
Guided English Speaking Tours of Padua, Como, Milan
VAT Taxes and Service Charges (19%) Included
Gratuities to Hotel Service Staff
EXCLUDES:
ROUND TRIP TRANSFERS or ADD ON CONNECTIONS TO NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
PASSPORTS and/or VISA FEES
GRATUITIES to DRIVER, GUIDES, TOUR ESCORTS
LUGGAGE HANDLING IN AIRPORTS
ITEMS OF PERSONAL NATURE
For more information contact us at: [email protected] Tel: 858-461-0777
