Year of Mercy Pilgrimage for Deacons
Sponsored by Liturgical Press
May 19 - 30, 2016 - 12 Days
$4599 from JFK
$4599 from JFK
Dear Permanent Deacons,
The Jubilee Year of Mercy provides the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enrich your ministry and your spiritual life. Liturgical Press invites you and your wife to join us on a pilgrimage to Italy that will culminate in celebrating the Jubilee for Deacons at the Vatican with Pope Francis and thousands of other permanent deacons from around the world! Before that, you’ll visit the home of St. Francis of Assisi – who was a deacon! – as well as sacred sites in Rome, Sienna, Orvieto, and Florence. And we’ll be accompanied along the way by two of today’s most highly respected authorities on the permanent diaconate: Deacons William Ditewig and Frederick Bauerschmidt. Please join us!
Sincerely,
Barry Hudock
Publisher, Liturgical Press
The Jubilee Year of Mercy provides the perfect setting for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enrich your ministry and your spiritual life. Liturgical Press invites you and your wife to join us on a pilgrimage to Italy that will culminate in celebrating the Jubilee for Deacons at the Vatican with Pope Francis and thousands of other permanent deacons from around the world! Before that, you’ll visit the home of St. Francis of Assisi – who was a deacon! – as well as sacred sites in Rome, Sienna, Orvieto, and Florence. And we’ll be accompanied along the way by two of today’s most highly respected authorities on the permanent diaconate: Deacons William Ditewig and Frederick Bauerschmidt. Please join us!
Sincerely,
Barry Hudock
Publisher, Liturgical Press
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Thursday, May 19 - Day 1 – DEPART USA – Today we depart our home airport to connect with our overnight flight to Rome aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.
Friday, May 20 – Day 2 - ROME/ORVIETO/MONTECATINI – This morning we arrive in Rome where we are met and board our motor coach for our ride to Tuscany. We stop at Orvieto for a visit and Mass at the breathtaking Cathedral, which is known as the jewel of Italian architecture. Inside the Cathedral is the Chapel of the Corporal, which houses the chalice cloth involved in the Eucharistic Miracle, which occurred in nearby Bolsena. In the 13th century a pilgrim priest named Peter of Prague was celebrating Mass at the crypt of St. Christina. He was having a faith crisis concerning the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. While speaking the words of the consecration, blood started to drip from the consecrated Host. Subsequently, Pope Urban instituted The Feast of Corpus Christi. Following lunch on our own, we continue to the delightful spa town of Montecatini Terme. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 
Saturday, May 21 - Day 3 - FLORENCE - This morning we drive to Florence where our first stop will be a visit to the Academia Gallery. Here we view Michelangelo’s famous “David”. We continue for a visit of the Duomo, in the heart of the city, where we admire the cupola by Brunelleschi, completed in 1240, and its campanile by Giotto. Once outside we view the Baptistery with its incomparable bronze doors by Ghiberti. Afterwards, we set out to the Piazza della Signoria, dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio and its crowned tower. Across from the Palace, we visit the Loggia dei Lanzi with the statues of “Perseus” by Cellini; Giambologna's the “Rape of the Sabines” and “Hercules.” Following free time for Lunch on our own we visit the Basilica of Santa Croce. Among the most famous interred here lie Galileo, Rossini, Michelangelo and Machiavelli. We celebrate Mass here. Our day will conclude with a drive to the “Piazzale Michelangelo” for a panoramic view of this spectacular city.
Sunday, May 22 - Day 4 – MONTECATINI/SIENA/ASSISI This morning, we journey through the Italian countryside arriving in the magnificent city of Siena, which invites us to stroll through its Gothic streets. After we celebrate Mass at the Dominican Church commemorating St. Catherine we walk down to the famous Piazza del Campo. This shell-shaped square is the dramatic setting for the annual Palio bareback horserace. The piazza's focal point is the Palazzo Pubblico, the public palace, which dates back to 1250. We continue uphill to visit the monumental Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Some free time for lunch and browsing before we continue south through Umbria to the hilltop village of Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. Our first stop is in the lower town for a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and the Portiuncula, Francis' Church of the Little Portion. We continue to the upper village for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Monday, May 23 - Day 5 - ASSISI - This morning, we begin at the Basilica of St. Francesco with Mass. After our visit of the Basilica and the tomb of St. Francis, we begin our walking tour of the village. Included is a visit to the Church of St. Clare to view the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. We pass by the famous Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune. This afternoon, our taxis take us up to the Hermitage of the Carceri, where Francis and his Friars retreated from the world to pray and fast. Here the Grotto of St. Francis can also be seen. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 
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Tuesday, May 24 - Day 6 - ASSISI/ROME - This morning we depart Assisi and travel south to Rome where this afternoon we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major where we celebrate Mass, and the Church of St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's possibly most celebrated sculpture, the Moses." Afterwards, we see the nearby Roman Forum passing the Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Wednesday, May 25 - Day 7 – ROME - This morning, we continue our tour with a visit to the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and the Basilica of St. Lawrence, where we celebrate Mass. This UNESCO Heritage site is home to the tomb of Lawrence, one of the earliest Catholic deacons, as well as possibly the tomb of St. Stephen. St. Lawrence’s is one of the seven ancient pilgrimage churches of Rome and one of the five Patriarchal Basilicas representing Jerusalem. After lunch on our own, we visit St. Paul’s Beyond the Walls. This huge, imposing Basilica--second only to St. Peter’s and one of the largest churches in the Christian world,-contains an unusual gallery of papal portraits: 265 tablets portraying the popes of the past. Finally, we visit the Catacombs of St. Domitilla, and return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. 
Thursday, May 26 – St. Philip Neri - Day 8– This morning we visit Vatican City where we see the treasures of the Vatican Museum. We marvel at Michelangelo's recently restored frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and the wonders of St. Peter’s. After lunch on our own, we visit the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella in Rome (Chiesa Nuova) where St. Philip Neri is buried. We celebrate Mass here. The rest of the afternoon is at our leisure. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Friday, May 27 – Jubilee for Deacons - DAY 9 – ROME-Today we enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful Eternal City. We visit the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, with its beautiful sculpted fountains and visit the church of St. Agnes in Agony, the Spanish Steps, and St. Mary Vittorio Church where we celebrate Mass and see Bernini’s famous sculpture The Agony of St. Therese. Remainder of the day is free to explore. Beginning at 5:00 pm, deacons and wives will be organized by language (English, Italian and Spanish) for a series of presentations at the seven churches of St. Lawrence. This evening, attend the Opening Catechesis for the Jubilee of Deacons: The Icon of Mercy for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Three additional presentations will discuss application of the Deacon as the Icon of Mercy “- In the Family,” "- In the Parish,” and “- In the Workplace.” Dinner on our own. Meet for transfer back to our hotel for overnight. Saturday, May 28 – JUBILEE FOR DEACONS - DAY 10 – This morning, following Mass beneath St. Peters (if possible) the balance of the day is completely dedicated to the Deacons Jubilee. From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, you may wish to take advantage of opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and reconciliation in the Jubilee Churches on our own. At 6:00 pm, pilgrims will walk through the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica to hear official catechesis on the subject: “The Deacon: Called to the Service of Charity in the life of the Community.” Dinner on our own. Meet for transfer back to our hotel for overnight. Sunday, May 29 – Jubilee for Deacons - DAY 11 – ROME At 10 am, we will celebrate the Solemn Mass for the Jubilee for Deacons at St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis (pending the Holy Father's final schedule). Deacons will be seated up front. Lunch on our own and afternoon at our leisure. Tonight we enjoy a special Farewell Dinner in a Roman restaurant. Overnight at our hotel. Monday, May 30 - DAY 12 - ROME/USA This morning, check out of our hotel and depart for the airport for our return flights home. |
