The parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in Millis, MA is offering a pilgrimage to Italy so young adults can prayerfully journey through the city of Rome, Assisi, and surrounding famous churches and spiritual sites. Although I have found this time to be extremely blessed, I cannot take advantage of this great opportunity without some financial help. Overall, the pilgrimage requires approximately 3,495 dollars, (it breaks down to around 1,000 for airfare, and 2,495 for included hotels, eating expenses, travel expenses, tour guide, and entrance fees.) Despite major life transitions, I have reached $500 of the costs. I am continuing to work hard in order to save, but there is still a large portion I need to make up with the short time remaining, the full payment being due on November 26th.

Thank you so much, and I would be happy to update you while on this pilgrimage.

Therase Kutzy

If interested this is the day-by-day itinerary of the trip:

Jan 18, Sun: Departure

Jan 19, Mon: Rome-Arrival

Upon arrival at Rome international airport, we will get our luggage and meet our Guide / Driver, then transfer to our Hotel for dinner & overnight.

Jan 20, Tue: Basilica of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major-Holy Steps

After breakfast we will visit the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, the Pope's cathedral church where relics of both Peter and Paul remain under the main altar. It was here that Pope Francis was formally installed as Bishop of Rome. Next we see the Holy Staircase which is believed to be a staircase from Pilate's palace in Jerusalem and brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. Time permitting we may climb the steps on our knees in memory of Christ's Passion. Continue to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the most important and the oldest church dedicated to Our Lady. St. Mary Major contains a relic from the Manger of the infant Jesus. At the end of the tour transfer back to the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Jan 21, Wed: Rome-Papal Audience-Catacombs -Sistine Chapel-Museum of the Souls of Purgatory

Following breakfast, we will make our way to St. Peter's Square to attend the Papal Audience, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis. (Papal Audience: Is scheduled to take place every Wednesday, pending the schedule of Pope Francis.) Free time for lunch (not included) Following the Audience we will visit the Catacombs where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. The tour will continue with the visit St Paul. Outside the Walls. Continue our tour via the Appian Way -- the oldest road from Roman times--plus the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus; Tomb of Celilia Metella. Dinner & overnight in Rome.

Jan 22, Thu: Collesuem – Basilica of San Clemente- Basilica Di San Pietro in Vincoli-Trevi Fountain- St. Ignazio Church

After Breakfast we transfer to start the tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum (Colosseum visit inside & Forum from external – closing time 16:30). Then we continue to visit the Basilica of St. Pietro in Vincoli and the Basilica of St. Clemente. Afterwards we visit the Church of St. Ignazio and walk to the famous Trevi fountain before our transfer back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Jan 23, Fri: Rome-Monte Cassino-San Giovanni Rotunda

Today we will be transferred by bus to Montecasino. This one hour and forty-five-minute (approximate) bus ride will be extremely scenic, as you pass through the Roman countryside that is known for its villas and vineyards. Throughout this bus ride, our tour escort will share very interesting information regarding the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of Italy. We will arrive in Montecasino, the principal monastery of the Benedictine Order, founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. then we shall drive (approximately three hours) toward San Giovanni Rotunda, the hometown of Saint Padre Pio.

Jan 24, Sat: Church of Padre Pio- St. Michael’s Cave

We start our day early after breakfast with a visit to the Church of Padre Pio; Known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in a Italian, he was venerated as a saint of the Catholic church. He became famous for exhibiting stigmata for most of his life, thereby generating much interest and controversy. He was both beatified (1999) and canonized (2002) by Pope John Paul II. We Celebrate Mass there. Then we drive to St. Michael’s Cave. We visit the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael. At this grotto, St. Michael appeared to a Bishop to assure him that his diocese would not be annihilated as he feared. Dinner & overnight at our hotel.

Jan 25, Sun: Lanciano- Santa Rita da Cascia-Assisi

Today we will board the bus and head to Lanciano (approximately two hours). This Church is the site of the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the eighth century. At the time of the Miracle, there was a Brazilian monk who struggled with the belief in the real presence of The Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. During the time of Mass, the monk, with doubt in his voice, said the “Words of Consecration” and the bread turned into living flesh, and the wine transformed into live blood. Next, will continue to visit Santa Rita da Cascia, where we will have time to admire the Basilica of Saint Rita then drive towards Assisi the hometown of St. Francis for dinner & overnight.

Jan 26, Mon: Assisi-Rome

After Breakfast we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica laid the tomb of one of the most beloved saints of all the time, St Francis of Assisi. During the tour, we will have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, as well as, view a few of the saint’s possessions. next we will visit the Basilica of saint Clare and the Crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis. Dinner & overnight in Rome.

Jan 27, Tue: Return Home from Rome.