HOLY
YEAR OF THE JUBILEE 2000
Our Holy Father, Pope John
Paul II has decreed the year 2,000 to be a holy “Liturgical Year”
to celebrate the “Great Jubilee” commemorating the birth of
Jesus Christ. The Pope has announced that those making a pilgrimage
to the Holy Land or Italy will receive a plenary indulgence. A
pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Italy will be taking part in this
major Church event of our lifetime.
To receive a plenary indulgence for your Italy pilgrimage, each
pilgrim must pass through the doors of four major basilicas in Rome:
 St.
Peter's Basilica
St.
Mary Major
St.
John Lateran
St
Paul Outside the Walls
At each Church, in Rome the
pilgrim is to say the Lord’s Prayer, Rosary and Glory Be to the
Father. By completing these holy acts, each pilgrim visiting
the Holy Land in the Jubilee Year will receive a plenary indulgence.
The Holy Shroud of Turin
will be on display in 2000. Book now for two nights in
Turin as a Pre-Tour Option for $469. Special departure dates
will be added prior to the tour.
Day 1
New York - Rome
Depart from New York’s JFK Airport for your
overnight flight to Rome. Dinner and breakfast will be served
onboard.
Day 2
Rome
Upon our arrival, meet your local Guide and
settle into our first class hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure
to relax or stroll along the charming streets of Rome. Walk to
the city’s center, past numerous fountains ending at the famed
Spanish Steps. You may wish to stop at an outdoor cafe for an
espresso before retiring for the evening. Dinner and
overnight.
Day 3
Rome - full day tour to Sorrento
After breakfast you will be whisked south to
the Almafi Coast, one of the most picturesque coastlines in the
world. We will take a high speed boat for a short ride to the
unique isle of Capri where you will experience the mysterious
glowing waters of the Blue Grotto (weather permitting). Ascend to
the tiny village of Ana Capri for an unforgettable view. As
you explore this quaint island and be enchanted by its beauty,
history and charm. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Rome (Papal
Audience at the Vatican)
 After
breakfast we go to Vatican City and attend the weekly Papal Audience
and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St
Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was
martyred. This largest religious temple in the world has
housed 264 popes. Unsurpassed in beauty, importance and
history, pilgrims from around the world are welcome to the most
grandiose, sacred church in the world. View historical
treasures such as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced
Christ’s side and numerous papal tombs. Michelangelo’s
mural of the Last Judgment restored on the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel is considered one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces, in
addition to his Pieta and 4 mighty piers supporting the magnificent
dome. In the afternoon take time to visit the Vatican Garden,
Library and museum to see the awe-inspiring relics and works of art
donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. In the
afternoon we will drive past the Coliseums, the Roman Forum and
explore St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St.
Paul under the main altar. Many relics are displayed, along
with the chains that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in
Rome. We will visit the Church of St Peter in Chains to see
Michelangelo's incomparable statue of Moses. Dinner and
overnight in Rome.
Day 5
Rome - Assisi
This morning we motor north through the Umbria
region toward the pilgrimage center of Assisi. We celebrate
Mass at the tomb of St Francis and we will explore the quaint
hilltop birthplace of St Francis which still retains an unspoiled
quality similar to the early 1200’s when he began his
ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are
many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life.
You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St.
Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was St Mary of
the Angels Basilica, where St Francis spent most of his life. Here
we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where
the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the
compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view
of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see
the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor
Clare’s followed the teachings of St. Francis and lived life in
poverty and humility. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
 Day
6 Assisi - Florence
Breakfast then drive through the scenic
Tuscany countryside to Florence. After Mass, our tour of
Florence includes the Academy of Fine Arts containing manifold
treasures, the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo, a magnificent dome
created by Brunelleschi. You will be awed by the celebrated
bronze doors entitled “Gates of Paradise”, at the
Baptistery. This afternoon is free to explore this
extraordinary city with its unparalleled displays of artistic
genius. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7
Florence - Nice
Today we will motor pass the Italian and
French Riviera, arriving in Nice. This region ranks second in
France for its museums, art foundations, galleries and prestigious
collections on display. This sophisticated city is renown for
the magnificent beaches and the architectural value of the historic
buildings. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8
Nice - Lourdes
After breakfast we depart the glamorous city
of Nice and motor to the beloved French pilgrimage site of
Lourdes. You will arrive this afternoon with time to relax,
explore or participate in the candlelight procession before retiring
for the evening. Dinner and overnight.
Days 9
& 10 Lourdes
During your stay in Lourdes you will have a
chance to celebrate daily Mass at the Grotto, enjoy a video
presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps
of St Bernadette. See the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was
born, view the “Cachot” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s
impoverished family lived in humility. Join your prayers with
pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water
from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself at the Baths which
claim thousands of healings. Experience Christ’s love as you walk
the life-size Stations of the Cross
overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the
very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the “Immaculate
Conception”. Evenings are free for optional Blessed
Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal
church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession
and group rosary. On one of the free days you may want to take
advantage of some of the optional tours (Biarritz, Val D'Aran or
Betherram) available through our local agent at a minimal additional
cost.
Day 11
Lourdes - Pau - Paris - USA
We depart Lourdes for our return flight from
Paris to the USA. The grandeur of the sights and the spiritual
growth from this pilgrimage returns you home enriched.
Your
Trip Includes:
Round trip airfare from New York / Rome
/ Lourdes / Paris
9 nights accommodations at 3 & 4
star hotels (or similar):
3 nights Hotel Michelangelo, Rome
1 night Hotel Giotto, Assisi
1 night Hotel Baglioni, Florence
1 night Hotel Atlantic, Nice
3 nights Hotel St. Savour, Lourdes
Breakfast
and dinner daily
Transportation by air-conditioned motor
coach
Guided tours by professional catholic
guides
Admission
fees
Hotel
taxes and service charges
Mass daily
All baggage handling
Flight
bag and portfolio of travel documents
Not Included:
Lunch. Airprt tax of $85. Travel insurance at $99. Tips to
guides and drivers ($5 per day). Items of personal
nature.
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