The 2016 Pilgrimage to Italy and Poland ~ In the Year of Divine Mercy: April 10 - 23

Day I ~ Sunday April 10th: Calgary - Rome.

Day 2 ~ Monday April 11
​Upon arrival at the airport in Rome they met their tour guide and driver. Once they and their luggage were stowed away on the bus they made their way thru the city of Rome to their accommodations for the night and a late dinner.

Day 3 ~ Tuesday April 12
​After an early breakfast they departed for Vatican City where they attended Mass and visit the tomb of St. John Paul II, along with a visit to the Basilica and to see other artifacts. They had the opportunity to see the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which contains a relic of the manger of the infant Jesus. They also saw the Holy Stairs and visited the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, which was the residence of the popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. If time permits, they may also visit the Trevi Fountain to take part in the tradition of throwing 3 coins into the fountain in the hope of some day returning the Rome.

Day 4 ~ Wednesday April 13
​Our pilgrims began the day with a return trip to Vatican City, the spiritual capital for Catholics around the world. Vatican City is its own city state nestled within Rome, it even has its own currency and postage! Today is truly a day which will live in their hearts for many years to come. They made their way to St. Peter's Basilica where they attended the Papal Prayer and General Audience which is given by His Holiness Pope Francis each Wednesday morning. Then they continued their tour of the most significant Catholic sites in Rome.

Day 5 ~ Thursday April 14
​After breakfast, traveling by motorcoach our pilgrims made their way thru the Italian countryside with its villas and vineyards to Monte Cassino on the Cargeno Peninsula, the first stop of the day. They had ample opportunity to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean and visit the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Six different popes, St. Francis and at least four other saints have all knelt in prayer at this grotto; seeking the protection of St. Michael. This most celebrated shrine of early Christianity is said to have been consecrated by St. Michael himself, in the year 490. They then spent the night in Padre Pio's town of San Giovanni Rotondo.

Day 6 ~ Friday April 15
​After breakfast, they took in the sanctuary, the old church and the crucifix from which Padre Pio received the stigmata in 1918. Here they also celebrated Holy Mass. They also were able to see the confessional where Padre Pio spent innumerable hours with a multitude of pilgrims, directing them on their journey toward God. Leaving San Giovanni Rotondo our pilgrims now head north up the Adriatic coast to Lanciano where they paid witness to a Eucharistic Miracle. They then continued on to the great Marian Shrine of Loretto where they visited the Holy House of Nazareth and the beautiful Madonna of Loretto. More than 50 popes are reported to have made pilgrimage to this holy house which is said to have been transported by angels to this hill in central Italy in 1294. Tradition has it that this is the very house in which Mary first prayed the Magnificat, where Jesus grew to manhood and in which the Holy Family lived. The night was spent in the area around Ancona.

Day 7 ~ Saturday April 16
​Today our pilgrims took in Assisi. In Assisi, they took a guided tour of this quaint hilltop city which still retains much of the same atmosphere that it had in the early 1200's, the period when St. Francis began his ministry. They visited the huge 13th-century Basilica where they saw the tomb of St. Francis as well as many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. They were able to kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. Here they celebrated Holy Mass. After some free time, they returned to their bus and make their way north to Padua.

Day 8 ~ Sunday April 17
​After breakfast, it was a tour of Padua, namely the Basilica of St. Anthony, the historical center and the University. Then it was on to Venice where the pilgrims explored St. Mark's Square and then celebrated Holy Mass in St. Mark's Basilica. This was be followed by a walk to the Bridge of Sighs. They then made their way by bus to their hotel in Lido di Jesolo.

Day 9 ~ Monday April 18
​Today was a travel day thus, our pilgrims continued moving north thru Austria and the Czech Republic, their final destination of the day being in the area around Krakow, Poland.

Day 10 ~ Tuesday April 19
After breakfast the pilgrims explored Krakow's Market Square and listened to the silver trumpet of the bugler from St. Mary's tower. The area surrounding the square has remained unchanged for almost 700 years and contains buildings of great historic value such as the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and the Burgher's Houses. They also toured the Cathedral where they prayed before the extraordinary Wit Stwosz altar. Mass was celebrated in Lagiewniki the site of Divine Mercy devotion.​

Day 11 ~ Wednesday April 20
​After a hearty breakfast, Mass was celebrated in one of the side chapels at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Later they traveled to Czestochowa where they were able to pray in the chapel in front of the icon of the Black Madonna as it was being ceremoniously reopened for public viewing. They stayed over night in Siedlce.

Day 12 ~ Thursday April 21
​Today, our pilgrims departed for an excursion to Lublin and the concentration camp of Majdanek in which many Polish and Jewish people lost their lives during World War II. Every year many Israeli students go there to celebrate a memorial in remembrance of their deceased countrymen. After lunch our pilgrims take a walking tour of the Old Town. Then they went to Miedzyrzec, Father Adam's home town. They prayed at St. Joseph's Church where Father Adam received his baptism and his First Communion.

Day 13 ~ Friday April 22
​After breakfast, they visited St. Mary's Church in Siedlce in which Father Adam was ordained. St. John Paul II said Mass in St. Mary's Cathedral in Siedlce. The pilgrims then move on the Warsaw where they will tour the many historic sites.

Day 15 ~ Saturday April 23
​Homeward bound!

St Stephen Catholic Parish  4302 57 Avenue Olds, AB T4H 1C5
403-556-3084
​ststephen102@gmail.com