Join Father MATSAU on an exciting Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo and Medjugorje. In Rome you will visit the enchanting Catacombs, 3 of the major Basilicas, ancient Rome tour and a visit to the famous fountains and squares. Let’s not forget about the world famous Colosseum and finally a papal audience. You will travel to Assisi and visit the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare. On your way south to San Giovanni Rotondo you will visit Monte San Angelo. After visiting the town of Padre Pio you head off to Bari to board your ferry across the Adriatic. From Dubrovnik you travel by road to Medjugorje where you will spend four wonderful nights.
R42 995.00 pp/s based on 25 persons
(Subject to change)
Services Included
Services Excluded
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: JOHANNESBURG SUN, 17 SEP 2023
Meet at O.R Tambo International Airport at the check in counter for your flight to Rome. Please ensure that you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure.
Overnight on board your flight
Day 2: ROME, CATACOMBS, BASILICAS MON, 18 SEP 2023
Arrive in Rome, proceed through customs and collect your luggage. Meet your guide and depart for a guided visit of the Catacombs, followed by visit to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the seat of the papal throne, the oldest and the first in the established order of the papal basilicas as well as St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Proceed to your accommodation and check in upon arrival.
Dinner and overnight in Rome
Day 3: VATICAN, ANCIENT ROME, CLASSIC ROME TUE, 19 SEP 2023
After breakfast, transfer to the Vatican and celebrate private Mass in St. Peter’s square, followed by guided visit of the Basilica. Continue to visit ancient Rome, with the excavated ruins of the Roman Forum, political, military and social center of the whole Roman Empire. You will then admire the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Constantine. The tour will continue with the outer visit of the massive structure of the Colosseum, the greatest amphitheater of the city, built by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D. Continue for a walk in central Rome, with its famous squares and fountains.
Dinner and overnight in Rome
Day 4: PAPAL AUDIENCE ASSISI WED, 20 SEP 2023
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and transfer to the Vatican for a papal audience in St Peter’s Square. Transfer to Assisi and check in to your accommodation upon arrival.
Dinner and overnight in Assisi
Day 5: ASSISI THU, 21 SEP 2023
After breakfast, meet the guide for a guided tour of St. Francis Basilica dedicated to the Saint of Assisi. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St. Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when the Saint began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of the Saint’s possessions as well as a series of frescoes by Giotto depicting the Saint’s life. Head to the Basilica of St. Clare and see the Saint’s incorrupt body. The foundress of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St. Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. Celebrate private Mass and then enjoy some leisure time for private devotion or sight-seeing. We can suggest an optional visit to St. Damiano church, where the crucifix spoke to St. Francis. (on foot or by taxi and for own account)
Dinner and overnight in Assisi
Day 6: ASSISI, MONTE SAN ANGELO, SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO FRI, 22 SEP 2023
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and depart to Monte San Angelo.
After lunch (at own expense), transfer to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo
Day 7: SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, BARI SAT, 23 SEP 2023
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and stroll to the ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and celebrate private Mass. Enjoy a guided tour including the new Church as well as the convent where Padre Pio spent a good part of his mission. Admire the crucifix from which he received the stigmata in 1918 as well as the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey towards God. After lunch (at own expense) depart for Bari and embark the ferry to Dubrovnik.
Dinner and overnight on board the ferry
Day 8: DUBROVNIK, MEDJUGORJE SUN, 24 SEP 2023
Enjoy breakfast while your ferry docks in Split. Disembark the ferry, collect your luggage and proceed through customs. Meet your guide and transfer to Medjugorje. Your guide will explain that the history of Medjugorje started with the 6 young visionaries. Arrive in Medjugorje and check in to your accommodation.
Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje
Day 9-11: MEDJUGORJE MON-WED, 25-27 SEP 2023
Each morning after breakfast, attend Holy Mass in English at 10h00. Visit the visionaries for a talk, climb ‘Podbrdo’ (The Hill of the Apparitions) and climb ‘Mount Krizevac’ (Cross Mountain) through the Stations of the Cross. Attend talks offered by the parish priests and visit the “Cenacolo”, the drug rehab center run by Sr. Elvira. The Church is alive in Medjugorje and the Franciscans present a wonderful spiritual experience through their daily program of Mass, Confession, Recitation of the Rosary, Adoration and spiritual talks. The following “Daily Program” includes the devotions which can be practiced daily as part of your Medjugorje experience. Your day-to-day itinerary includes other activities and excursions which will be available for you during your stay.
08h00 Breakfast
10h00 English Mass
18h00 Recitation of the Rosary
19h00 International Mass
20h30 Evening Meal
22h00 Adoration and Healing Service
*There may be seasonal changes to the times of the services
Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje
Day 12: MEDJUGORJE THU, 28 SEP 2023
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and enjoy some time at leisure before you transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg.
Dinner and overnight on board your flight
Day 13: JOHANNESBURG FRI, 29 SEP 2023
Arrive in Johannesburg at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
