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ITINERARY
Cultural Connections Ltd
Tour organizers:Cultural
Connections Ltd
In association with: Tom Mannion Travel T.A. 0178 IATA, ITAA
Newtown, Rahan, Tullamore,
Co. Offaly, Ireland
0579355050 mornings only
grouptravel@libero.it
Pilgrimage to Rome
in honour of Saint Columbanus
October 8th -15th 2014 - €995 pps
(approx. £820)
DEPOSITS CAN BE PAID IN STERLING
DAY 1: Wednesday
Afternoon check in at Dublin Airport. Depart for Rome with Aer Lingus on three
hour flight to Rome. Transfer to our three star accommodation in the city
centre. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Thursday – CATACOMBS, TOMBS OF THE EARLS OF ULSTER, TOUR BY NIGHT
Visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus for a tour and Mass. These catacombs
are the oldest in Rome and contain some beautiful examples of early Christian
art. We will pass a section of the Old Appian Way and the famous Quo Vadis
church. Afternoon visit to the church of San Pietro in Montorio, which contains
the tombs of Hugh O’Neill and other members of the O’Neill and O’Donnell
clans. Tour by night by coach. The tour includes four course dinner with music,
three major basilicas (St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major), the Circus
Maximus, Colosseum, fine views of the Forum and Palatine Hill, ... and more.
Day 3: Friday – ST PETER’S BASILICA, COLOSSEUM, SAN CLEMENTE, CONCERT
Early morning Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, followed by a visit to the tomb of St
Peter in the crypt. We will also see the tombs of many popes including Pope
Paul VI, and John Paul I. Our tour of the main Basilica will include
Michelangelo’s Pieta, the great Dome, the body of Pope John XXIII and the
tomb of John Paul II. Free time for lunch and shopping in the area of St
Peter’s. Time for rest at the accommodation. In the afternoon we will visit the
Colosseum (tour from the outside) before going to San Clemente for a
celebration of Ecumenical Vespers. Here lies the tomb of St Cyril, one of the
patrons of Europe. Evening concert performed by The Priests in the Dominican
church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. This contains the tomb of another of
Europe’s patrons – St Catherine of Siena.
Day 4: Saturday – St Mary Major, Trevi Fountain/Spanish Steps,
Solemn Mass in St John Lateran, Veneration of relics of St Columbanus
Visit St Mary Major Basilica, the principal Marian church in Rome. Our tour will
include the famous Icon of Our Lady that was visited by Pope Francis the
morning after his election as Pope. Lunch in the area of the Trevi Fountain. We
will see Propaganda Fide College at the Spanish Steps where St Oliver Plunkett
worked and was named Archbishop of Armagh. Solemn Mass in St John
Lateran Basilica, the Mother Church of the World. This will mark the solemn
opening of the Year of Columbanus. Veneration of the relics of St Columbanus,
newly arrived from Bobbio. Afterwards we will visit the historic Irish College
where Irish men have trained for the priesthood since the 1620s.
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Day 5: Sunday – MASS IN ST PATRICK’S, PAPAL ANGELUS
At 9am, Mass of thanksgiving presided over by Cardinal Brady in the Irish
National Church of St Patrick’s owned by the Irish Augustinians. Afterwards
we will go to St Peter’s Square for Angelus with Pope Francis. Free
afternoon.
Day 6: Monday – DAY TRIP TO ASSISI
Day trip to Assisi. Departure at 8.00 am. Arrival in Assisi about 11.00 am
and visit St Clare’s Basilica with the tomb of St Clare and the cross that
spoke to St Francis. Visit to the paternal home of St Francis. Free time for
lunch and shopping in the beautiful centre of Assisi. The central Piazza del
Comune is dominated by the ancient Roman facade of Santa Maria Sopra
Minerva. Continue to the Basilica of St Francis, the “Jewel of Umbria” and
one of Italy’s greatest art treasures. The upper basilica has the famous
frescoes of Giotto. In the crypt there is the tomb of St Francis, Patron of
Italy, one of the world’s best-loved saints. Mass in the lower Basilica.
Departure for Rome at 5.00 pm.
Day 7: Tuesday – ST PAUL’S, THREE FOUNTAINS ABBEY, BAROQUE SQUARES
Mass in St Paul’s Outside the Walls. Our tour will include the tomb of St
Paul, the beautiful mosaics reset after the fire of the 1820s, and the Chapel
of the Crucifix where Ignatius Loyola and his first companions took the vows
that established the Society of Jesus. We will continue by coach to the
peaceful Abbey of the Three Fountains where St Paul was martyred. In the
afternoon the coach will drop us near Piazza Navona. We will visit the
Church of Santa Maria dell’ Anima where Irish Martyr Conor O’Devaney was
consecrated Bishop of Down and Connor. We will also visit the Pantheon.
Free time for dinner in the area.
Day 8: Wednesday – PAPAL AUDIENCE, MONTECASSINO, AIRPORT
Check out of hotel. General Audience with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s
Square – this depends on the Pope’s schedule and cannot be guaranteed.
Afterwards we will take the coach to Montecassino Abbey (2 hr drive) with
lunch along the way. Mass close to the Tomb of St Benedict, another of the
patrons of Europe. Time to enjoy the beautiful views and spend some time
in the Abbey. Transfer to Rome airport for flight to Dublin. Check in at 6pm.
Included in the price:

Return flight (Dub-Rome-Dub).

7 nights in three star accommodation in Rome on B&B basis.

One four course dinner with musical entertainment. On all other
occasions the group will be taken to an area with good value restaurants

Full time accompaniment by a Cultural Connections tour leader.

Coaching for all the excursions mentioned on the itinerary

Guided tours of all places visited and all taxes (governmental and local).
NOT Included:

Single room supplement at €30 per night and entrance fee to Catacombs (€8)
HOW TO BOOK:
1. Fill out your booking form having read our Terms & Conditions.
2. Submit the deposit (made out to Tom Mannion Travel) and booking form to:
Cultural Connections Ltd. Newtown, Rahan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.