Please join Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli of the StarQuest podcast Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World on a mysterious pilgrimage to the Shrines & Eucharistic Miracles of Italy in July of 2025! This extraordinary journey offers a unique opportunity to deepen your faith alongside Jimmy and Dom as they guide you through Italy’s most sacred (and most mysterious) sites during the Jubilee Year 2025, a time of special grace and spiritual renewal.

As leaders of this pilgrimage, Jimmy and Dom will share their deep knowledge and passion for the faith, enriching your experience as you explore some of Europe’s most magnificent churches and basilicas. Come along with Jimmy as he explores the mysteries found in awe-inspiring sites of Eucharistic Miracles, including Lanciano, Orvieto, and Assisi, where countless faithful have witnessed miraculous events dating back to the 8th century, and in other locations such as the “bone churches” of Rome and mysterious Grotto of St. Michael. These sites, steeped in history and divine wonder, continue to inspire Christians from all walks of life. Experiencing these miracles firsthand, under the guidance of such knowledgeable hosts, will undoubtedly edify your faith journey in an unforgettable way.

Additionally, Jimmy and Dom will bring their engaging and insightful podcast, Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World, to life during this pilgrimage. Imagine being part of a live recording, asking questions, and sharing in discussions about the mysteries of our faith right at the sites where these miracles occurred. This rare opportunity to interact with them personally will enhance your pilgrimage experience, making it even more special.

Don't miss this chance to join a life-changing pilgrimage to Italy with Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli. This journey promises to deepen your faith, create lasting memories, and connect you with fellow pilgrims in a meaningful way. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of faith, history, mysteries, and divine miracles in the heart of Italy.

Depart the USA from your local airport. Enjoy a full meal and inflight entertainment (movies, music, etc.) on your overnight flight to Rome, Italy.

Arrive at Fiumicino International Airport - Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, where you proceed to Baggage Claim and then to the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will be greeted by our local Trinity Tours Travel Tour guide and driver, who will accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. 

We then drive to our first stop at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the walls to walk through the first Holy Door of our Jubilee Year Pilgrimage. *We celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving here.*  Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, the Basilica is where the great Apostle Paul is buried. We will then have a lovely Italian lunch in the Basilica’s café. We will also visit the Church of Domine Quo Vadis. According to the tradition the apostle Peter, fleeing the city to avoid martyrdom, met Jesus to whom he addressed the following words “Domine, quo vadis?” (Lord, where are you going?) and the Lord replied “VenioRomam iterum crucifigi” (I am coming to Rome to be crucified again). Peter, understanding the rebuke, went back to face his fate and Jesus disappeared but, in disappearing, left his footprints on the road. As evidence of what happened, inside the Church, there is a stone with the imprints "of His Holy feet". The stone is actually a copy (the original is in fact kept in the Basilica of San Sebastiano.)– Check-in & dinner at the hotel and overnight in Rome.

This morning we will drive to the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome, to reach the Catacombs and the Basilica of St Sebastian.  *Here we will celebrate Mass.*  In the early afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour of the Imperial Rome area. We will start at the Colosseum, and then we will continue to the Roman Forum, the religious, political, and commercial center of ancient Rome, and for centuries, the entire civilized world. We will see the Arches of Constantine and Titus. We will visit the Church of St Francesca Romana, also known as Santa Maria Nova, it is located between the Roman Forum and the Temple of Venus and Rome. According to tradition, the place where the basilica stands was the one where Simon Magus died. A stone commemorates the event: on this one, we would still see the marks of Peter's knees, who knelt in prayer to be helped by our Lord.  We will then return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Rome.

This morning, we continue our guided tour to the magnificent Vatican Museum (Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms and the world-famous Sistine Chapel.) Next, we head to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we walk through the Second Holy Door of our trip. Here we visit Michelangelo's Pieta and pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Pope John Paul II prior to a guided tour through the Basilica. Lunch before a tour of the Basilica of St John in Lateran where we walk through the Third Holy Door of our trip.  This Basilica is the seat of the bishop of Rome, who of course, is also the Pope. The Basilica houses magnificent artwork and also wood from the table used at the Last Supper. It is high above the altar above the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, to the left of the main Papal altar. *Here we will celebrate Mass* and then we will walk to the Shrine of the Holy Stairs, Scala Santa, the marble staircase (encased in wooden ones), which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. On these stairs, Jesus climbed to meet Pilate on His way to trial during His Passion. Pilgrims may touch the marble through these openings as they climb the stairs (traditionally on knees). Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Rome.

Following breakfast, we travel by bus to Orvieto (1.5 hrs drive.) The city sits on top of a volcanic rock overlooking the valley below. We visit the site of the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto. The stained corporal bearing the spots of Precious Blood is displayed in a golden reliquary in the Chapel of the Corporal. Lunch with locally produced white wine “Orvieto.” We will then return to Rome. Next we visit the Purgatory Museum. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Following breakfast at the hotel, *Mass is celebrated at St. Mary Major*, one of the four papal basilicas where we walk through the fourth Holy Door of our pilgrimage. This Basilica is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Under the high altar of this basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity, encased in a crystal reliquary. Pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. St. Mary Major also houses the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who translated the Bible into Latin. St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1538 at St. Mary Major, also known for "The Miracle of the "Snow." Next, we visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, another papal basilica, which houses several relics of the Passion of Jesus and the doubting finger of St. Thomas in a reliquary. We then continue to see many famous monuments and fountains in Rome. At Piazza Navona, we will see Bernini’s fountain of the four rivers and then walk to see the Pantheon (outside) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Finally, we reach the Trevi Fountain.  Enjoy time at leisure at the Spanish Steps, before a restaurant dinner. Overnight in Rome.

We check out after breakfast and return to Saint Peter’s Basilica. *We might decide to participate at the 10:30 AM Mass celebrated in Italian*, or climb the Cupola on our own. At 12:00 PM we will join pilgrims from all over the world, in Saint Peter’s Square, to attend the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city of Rome and to the World) Papal Blessing. After this we break for lunch, then we drive to Assisi (3 hrs drive.) Upon arrival we stop in the valley of Assisi, to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli (St Mary of the Angels.) It is comprised of two sections; the "Porziuncola," where St. Francis first understood his vocation and renounced the world to live in poverty, and the "Capella del Transito," the small room where St. Francis died in 1226. During our time here, we will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Dinner will be up to the individual. We will check into the hotel and spend the night in Assisi.

After breakfast, our walking guided tour departs from Santa Chiara Church which honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Next, we will walk to Santuario Della Spogliazione where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb is placed. Bl.oon to be Saint!) Carlo is the first millennial to be declared Blessed. He had a deep love for the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. From there, we will continue on our walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and finally, we will visit St. Francis Basilica. In the upper basilica, we will marvel at the site of the great frescoes from Giotto, which describes the life of St Francis, in the lower basilica we visit the tomb of St. Francis. After we will enjoy some free time on our own (take this time for additional prayer, or shop in the many gift shops.) Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Assisi.

After an early breakfast, we will depart Assisi stopping in the town of Lanciano (3.5 hrs drive) to visit the Church of St Longinus, the site of what many believe is the greatest Eucharistic Miracle of the Catholic Church. In the 8th century, a monk offering mass was said to be plagued by doubts regarding transubstantiation. At pronouncing the words of consecration, the host was miraculously changed into flesh and the wine into blood. Since that time, countless pilgrims have visited to behold the monstrance which contains the miracle. *After Mass* and time at leisure for lunch. We reboard the bus and continue to the magnificent Marian Shrine in Loreto, Basilica della Santa Casa. Here within the basilica, we visit the beautiful Madonna of Loreto and Holy House of Nazareth. Tradition maintains that this is the small house where "The Word Became Flesh” and where Mary was born, raised, and was greeted by the angel Gabriel. Furthermore, it is said that this is where Mary proclaimed the Magnificat, the home in which Jesus was raised, and where the Holy Family lived. According to tradition, angels carried the Holy House to its current location to keep it safe.

Next, we travel to the pristine city of San Giovanni Rotondo (2.5 hrs drive), where we will spend the next two nights. Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will tour Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio. We will then return to Santa Maria delle Grazie, to visit the church and confessional where Padre Pio committed himself to hours of listening to Confession as he was incredibly devoted to the sacrament. It was said that he could read souls, and pilgrims have long been known to leave tiny papers with intentions near his confessional. At this shrine, we will also see the incorrupt body of this great saint, along with his living quarters. Next, we will board the bus to travel along the beautiful area known as the Gargano Peninsula to Monte Sant'Angelo (grotto of St Michael) where St Michael is said to have appeared in the years 490, 492 & 493. *Mass will be celebrated in the grotto on this day.* Lunch and free time in this charming and quaint area prior to returning to the hotel. This evening, as scheduling allows, we attend the weekly 9:00 PM candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio following dinner at the hotel. Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo. 

Breakfast and check out. We board our bus and enjoy the scenic route to Monte Cassino, the site of the Roman town of Casinum. During the bus ride, our tour escort will share interesting information regarding the spiritual, historical, and cultural aspects of Italy. Monte Cassino, the first monastery of the Benedictine Order, was founded by Saint Benedict around 530 A.D. We will tour the monastery and afterwards, there will be an opportunity to visit the gift shop before we board the bus. We will continue towards Frascati, passing through the Roman countryside which is known for its villas and vineyards. We will check in at our hotel in Frascati. Beautiful dinner and overnight in Frascati.

Following our final breakfast at the hotel, we bid farewell to this beautiful and holy part of the world and travel back to Rome (Fiumicino International Airport) for our departure to the USA. Ciao Italia!

A note from Trinity Tours Travels:

We are honored to have you travel with us and appreciate your trust in Trinity Tour Travels for your pilgrimage! Though every effort will sincerely be made to follow the above itinerary, it should be considered as a template of the journey, rather than a “contract” of sites to be visited. There are times when local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic challenges, etc., may cause us to make changes in our schedule. This MAY result in a change in the sequence of sites visited or, on rare occasions, the missing of some certain site visits entirely. 

As with all in life, we encourage the acceptance of possible change with a cheerful heart; after all, it is sometimes the unexpected that often makes the most beautiful memories! Enjoy your trip to the fullest and relish every moment!