In the steps of St Francis and St Clare Pilgrimage through Italy May 1-22 2019 Leaders: Rev John Hornblow and Dr Jenny oyack (see www.pilgrimagenz.nz) Pilgrimage is about engaging with places, their people and their stories in ways that are challenging, healing and transforming. It is part of our heritage as Christians. Pilgrims have opportunities to pause, reflect and ask questions, with times for prayer and worship. People interested in joining this pilgrimage are welcome regardless of religious affiliation or belief. ITINERARY Day 1 Wednesday May 1 Arrive Milan International airport and transfer to Hotel Palazzo delle Stelline. Afternoon visit to Milan Cathedral. Own dinner arrangements. Day 2 Thursday May 2, D Depart Milan for Venice. Take a 40- minute private boat transfer from Tronchetto to accommodation. Free time to explore Venice. Day 3 Friday May 3, D Private boat transfer from Madonna dell orto dock to Isola del Deserto (40 min). Visit San Francesco del Deserto monastery where St Francis stayed the visit will be led by the monks. Visit picturesque urano, one of the islands famous for lace making and glass blowing. Day 4 Saturday May 4 Travel by Coach to ologna and transfer to hotel. Visit the Piazza Maggiore where in 1220 Francis preached and cured a boy s blindness. Visit the San Petronio cathedral with its 22 chapels. Day 5 Sunday May 5 Guided walking tour of ologna including St Francis asilica and Nettuno Square. Day 6 Monday May 6, D Travel by Coach to Florence and transfer to hotel. Free day to explore Florence. Dinner and overnight at accommodation.
Day 7 Tuesday May 7, D Depart Florence for Siena including a visit to the St Francis Sanctuary of Alberino. Continue to Siena and transfer to hotel. Day 8 Wednesday May 8, D Depart for Cortona. Walk or taxi to Le Celle Hermitage, an important retreat for St Francis. Transfer to hotel. Day 9 Thursday May 9, D Full day visit to La Verna, a large monastery complex set in a forested national park. This is where St Francis received the Stigmata (wounds of Christ) in 1224. Each afternoon the friars walk in procession from the Church of Santa Maria to the Chapel of the Stigmata and we can join the procession. Overnight Cortona. Day 10 Friday May 10 Transfer to Assisi and St Anthony s Guesthouse. Orientation tour of Assisi including Cathedral St Rufino, where St Clare and possibly St Francis were baptised, and St Clare s asilica where St Clare is buried and where the original St Damiano crucifix can be viewed. Day 11 Saturday May 11 Visit asilica of St Francis, the burial place of St Francis and described by one commentator as the most beautiful picture book in the world. Optional walking tour to explore other sites which are significant in the stories of Clare and Francis including Francis birthplace, family home, place of encounter with the ishop of Assisi. Vespers at St Damiano, a small sanctuary on the slopes below Assisi, where Christ spoke to Francis from the crucifix and where Clare lived for 47 years with the Poor Ladies community. Day 12 Sunday May 12 Worship with the local Anglican congregation of St. Leonards. Enjoy time to explore Assisi yourself. Jenny and John available to advise and guide. Vespers at asilica of St Clare. Day 13 Monday May 13 Walk or taxi to the Carceri/Hermitage in the hills behind Assisi. As well as visiting the monastery complex which is still a functioning Franciscan community there will be ample time for prayer and quiet reflection and to explore the many wooded paths that surround the monastery buildings. Day 14 Tuesday May 14 Walk down from Upper Assisi to Rivotorto where Francis and the first brothers lived at the beginning of the Franciscan movement. On to Lower Assisi and Santa Maria degli Angeli which houses La Porziuncola where Francis died. This is a relaxed walk through lovely
countryside and takes us past the Assisi Commonwealth War Cemetery as well as the Capella Maddelena which marks the place where Francis had a significant encounter with a leper. It is possible to travel to each place by taxi this would be at participants own cost. Walk or travel by local bus back to Upper Assisi. Day 15 Wednesday May 15 Travel by coach to the medieval town of Gubbio where Francis made peace between the townsfolk and the wolf. Optional adventure: travel up the Funiva, cost about E10. Return to Assisi. Day 16 Thursday May 16 Travel by coach to the beautiful Rieti Valley sanctuaries of La Foresta (miracle of the grapes), Poggio ustone (Francis understanding his mission), Fonte Colombo (Francis eye was operated on here) and Greccio (commemorates the first living Nativity scene). Return to Assisi. Day 17 Friday May 17 Travel by coach to Lake Trasimeno and cross on the ferry to Isola Maggiore where St Francis spent the whole of Lent in 1212. Return to Assisi. Day 18 Saturday May 18 Travel by coach to Spoleto and visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta which houses a handwritten letter Francis wrote to rother Leo. Also visit the hermitage Francis founded in 1218. Continue to the outstanding medieval town of Orvieto, where Francis met Pope Honorius III. Overnight at Hotel Aquila ianca. Day 19 Sunday May 19, D Travel by coach to Rome. Orientation walk around old Rome. Dinner and overnight at the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI in the heart of old Rome. Day 20 Monday May 20 Travel by coach to the small town of Subiaco where St enedict retreated to seek God s will for his life and ministry. We will visit the twin monasteries of St enedict and St Scholastica and view the only portrait of St Francis made in his lifetime. Overnight at Domus Internationalis Paulus VI. Day 21 Tuesday May 21, L. Visit the Anglican Centre in Rome for the midday Eucharist and lunch. Time to explore other important pilgrimage sites in old Rome. Jenny and John will be available to advise and guide.
Day 22 Wednesday May 22 We will attend the General Papal audience in St Peters Square. This marks the end of the pilgrimage. GENERAL INFORMATION The pilgrimage is a not- for- profit venture open to any interested person and limited to 22 participants. There will be opportunities each day to participate in morning or evening prayer services, and there will be inclusive Eucharist services at key sites. Fitness, health and insurance requirements: Pilgrims must be able to walk several kilometres a day usually in short stretches and without assistance. Note: the path and roads in Italy are often on cobblestones or of a lower standard than we are used to in New Zealand. If unsure whether you have the required level of fitness please discuss with the tour leaders and/or your medical practitioner before registering. Any health conditions that may affect a person s capacity to participate must be discussed in advance and in confidence with the tour leaders. Participants must have the group travel insurance. Please note: any person who travels against their doctor s advice invalidates their insurance. Details available when booked and confirmed. Travel is by motor coach with air conditioning and panoramic windows and on local boat/ferry services. We also make use of local taxi services. Pilgrims arriving in Milan on Day 1 of the pilgrimage will be met at Milan Airport. For participants who wish to arrive earlier, Lana can book them into accommodation. However this will be an additional cost. Fees/Costs: The fee for the 22 day pilgrimage is NZ $7134. A deposit will be required on registering and the balance by 10 January 2019. Costs are subject to currency fluctuations and the price may be reassessed prior to final payment being due. In the event of major currency fluctuation there would be some adjustment required. The pilgrimage is a not- for- profit endeavour. Meals included in the fee are 7 dinners and 1 lunch (at the Anglican Centre in Rome). Eating out is part of the Italian experience and we will follow this tradition and enjoy the interactions with locals. Entrance fees, gratuities and group donations at pilgrimage sites are also included in the overall pilgrimage fee. Additional costs: Group travel insurance; dinners and lunches that are not listed on the itinerary; taxis or public transport if personally required; single supplement if desired of 497 (approx. $977 NZ); travel to and from the pilgrimage start in Milan and conclusion in Rome.
Accommodation: Accommodation is in twin/double guest rooms in monasteries or nunneries; and also some modern hotels. All rooms have private facilities and breakfast is included. For those wanting a single room there is an additional single supplement payment of 497 (approx. $977 NZ). May 1: Milan Hotel Palazzo delle Stelline http://www.hotelpalazzostelline.it/en May 2-3: Venice Casa Cardinal Piazza http://www.casacardinalpiazza.org/en/ May 4-5: ologna Art Hotel Orologio https://en.art- hotel- orologio.com/ May 6: Florence Convitto della Calza https://www.calza.it/ May 7: Siena Hotel Garden Siene https://www.gardenhotel.it/en/ May 8-9: Cortona Hotel Oasi Neumann http://www.hoteloasineumann.it/ May 10-17: Assisi St Anthony s Guesthouse https://www.monasterystays.com/?d=italy/umbria/assisi//uma119- accommodation May 18: Orvieto Hotel Aquila ianca http://www.hotelaquilabianca.it/en/ May 19-21: Rome Domus Internationalis Paulus VI http://www.domuspaulusvi.com/ THE NEXT STEP: REGISTRATION OF INTEREST: If you are interested please send the required information (see below) to John and Jenny at jennyjohnhornblow@gmail.com Once you have registered your interest we will forward your registration form to Tours International who will contact you with details of the next steps. If there are no places available we will advise you and you may go on a waiting list. TOUR LEADERS CONTACT DETAILS: John Hornblow and Jenny oyack 36 Langston Ave Palmerston North 4414 P: 063587824 M: 021 437566 E: jennyjohnhornblow@gmail.com W: www.pilgrimagenz.nz TOUR AGENT: Lana ennett, Tours International Ltd +44 1892 515825 lana@tours- international.com www.tours- international.com
Registration of Interest Pilgrimage to Italy in the Steps of St Francis and St Clare. (Please scan and email to jennyjohnhornblow@gmail.com or print off and post to 36 Langston Ave, Palmerston North) Full name.. Age & irthdate.. Contact Details Postal Address Phone number(s). Email address (print) Church or religious affiliation (optional).. Nationality and Passport number.. Pre- existing medical conditions. Confirmation you can meet the required health and fitness level (able to walk several kilometres in a day without assistance): Any other relevant information you would like to share Signed: Date: