Join the Eastern Catholic Churches of Scranton & Father Christopher Manuele

on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Places of Italy

October 2nd - 12th, 2018

Venice - Ravenna - Florence - Siena - Rome

On this journey we will visit some of the most spectacular places in the world. We'll also celebrate the divine liturgy at the tombs of many great saints and martyrs, such

as St. Peter, St. Athanasius of Alexandria and St. John Chrysostom.

Cost and Registration

For only $2995.00 you can join this incredible trip. The price is based on a double occupancy room and includes round trip airfare, lodging, tours, transportation and

daily breakfast and dinner. Hurry up, there are only 25 spaces available! Contact Joe Long at jlong@prorome.com or 570-309-1346 for more information or to sign up.

Pilgrimage Tour Escorted by Fr. Pablo Santa Maria Watson, Chaplain

““This blood was ever typified of old in the altars and sacrifices of righteous men,

This is the price of the world, by This Christ purchased to Himself the Church, by This He has adorned Her all. For as a man buying servants gives gold for them, and again when he desires to deck them

out does this also with gold; so Christ has purchased us with His blood, and adorned

us with His blood.”.

St. John Chrysostom

Meet the Chaplain

Father Christopher Manuele currently serves as the pastor at St. Joseph's Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Scranton and will be leading us as the chaplain of this

wonderful pilgrimage.

Meet the DirectorJoseph Long will be acting as our private guide and tour director. As the executive

director of Virginia-based ProRome, LLC, a Catholic tour operator, Joe leads a

number of pilgrimages, tours and summer programs every year. He lives with his

wife in Honesdale, PA.

Tuesday, October 2

Today we depart for Italy. Our flight, DL 474, departs from JFK at 8:52 PM.

Wednesday, October 3

After landing at Venice Marco Polo International Airport at 11:15 AM we'll be met by our tour director Joe and a private motor-coach. We'll then depart for the lovely three-star Park Hotel Villa Giustinian, which sits just 15 minutes from Venice. After freshening up we'll head into Venice for the divine liturgy at the tomb of St. Athanasius in the church of San Zaccaria. We will then return to our hotel for dinner.

Thursday, October 4After a wonderful morning's breakfast we're off to Venice. Today we will begin our visit of the Queen of the Adratic with the divine liturgy inside the "Church of Gold," St. Mark's Basilica. This richly decorated church is one of the most beautiful churches in the world and a fine example of Italo-Byzantine architecture. We will even see four bronze horses that once adorned the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, brought to Italy by crusaders following the fourth crusade in the 13th century. After this tour we will explore some of Venice's most beautiful churches before enjoying dinner together on the Grand Canal!

Friday, October 5

Today we will visit Ravenna. Following the Byzantine conquests of Italy in the 6th century under the emperor Justinian, Ravenna became the political and cultural epicenter of Italy and would remain so for nearly two-hundred years. During that period a Renaissance of Byzantine mosaic craft took place. In Ravenna will see those very mosaics - some of the finest ever created.

After lunch we will celebrate the divine liturgy in one of Ravenna's churches and then we will depart for Fiesole, a small town in the Tuscan hills overlooking the great city of Florence. Here we will stay at Pensione Bencista, a 14th century villa nestled among olive groves. This hotel will be our home for two days. Few places in the world compare in beauty. Family operated, everything from the meals to the sauna below are serviced by one and the same team: a Tuscan family.

After checking in we will enjoy a lovely dinner al fresco overlooking the beautiful skyline of Florence. There will then be time for an evening passeggiata, a stroll among the olive groves of Tuscany! Che bello!

Mediterranean Sea

5310

Atlantic OceanFÁTIMA, LOURDES & SHRINES OF SPAIN:Saturday, October 6

Today is a day dedicated to art and architecture: Florence. Before touring, however, we will begin with the divine liturgy in the monastery-church of San Miniato, an ancient hermitage founded by the Armenian martyr St. Minias in the 3rd century.

After the liturgy we will visit some of Florence's most beautiful and renowned places, including Accademia museum where we will see Michelangelo's David and the Duomo where we will have the chance to climb Brunelleschi's great dome. In the evening we will dine in one of Florence's many Bisteccherie where we will enjoy Italy's best steak, the Chianina .

Sunday, October 7

After breakfast we're off to Rome where we will stay for the remainder of the trip. On the way to Rome we will stop for the afternoon in Siena, a great medieval city perched on three hills. Here we will visit the home of St. Catherine of Siena as well as the Basilica of San Domenico and the Basilica of San Francesco. Inside the Basilica of San Francesco we will venerate the hosts of the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena and then celebrate the divine liturgy.

After exploring Siena we are back on the bus and headed to our final destination, Rome.

Wednesday, October 10

Today will begin with the divine liturgy in Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a Byzantine church built nearly 1500 years ago, now under the custody of the Melkite Church. After the liturgy we will catch a bus over to Saint Mary Major, where we will begin our "Holy Relics Pilgrimage", a walking pilgrimage on which we will venerate some of the holiest relics of all of Christendom, such as the Table of the Last Supper, the Nails that pierced Christ, the Crown of Thorns and Holy Stairs that Christ walked on when meeting Pontius Pilate.

In the afternoon there will be free time or a tour of the Colosseum OR the Sistine Chapel. In the evening we will rendezvous for dinner.

Thursday, October 11

Our last day in Rome begins with the divine liturgy at the tomb of St. Josephat of Lithuania beneath the altar of St. Basil in St. Peter's Basilica. We will then go outside the walls of Rome and enjoy a tour of the catacombs of St. Sebastian.

After lunch we will visit the churches of St. Lawrence, where St. Stephen and St. Lawrence are buried. We'll then head back to the hotel, pack our bags, and enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Friday, October 12

Today we depart for the United States from Rome Fiumicino airport at 10:10 AM. After a short layover in Paris we're back home at 4:00 PM!

In Rome we will check in at the wonderful Guesthouse Santa Maria alle Fornaci. This lovely little guest-house is located right next to St. Peter's Square!

Monday, October 8

Today will begin with the divine liturgy at the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica. Following the divine liturgy there will be time to visit the Basilica, including a climb up to the top of the cupola from where we can view the entire city!

After lunch we will depart for Tre Fontane, the site of St. Paul's martyrdom, followed by a visit to his tomb in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. We'll then return to our hotel to freshen up before heading out for a local Roman dinner.

Tuesday, October 9

Today will begin with the divine liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica at the tomb of St. John Chrysostom. We will then tour some of the greatest sites in Rome, including the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

After lunch we will visit one of the most churches of Rome, Santa Cecilia. Complete with Byzantine-style mosaics from the 9th century this church stands directly over the house of St. Cecilia, an early Roman martyr and the patron saint of musicians. Our day will then conclude with a fine Roman dinner.

Pilgrimage to Italy

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TRANSPORTATIONPrivate transfers by luxury motor coach. All travel expenses are included in the price.

TOURS

Privately guided tours throughout. Entry fees included in the price. All tour costs are included.

LODGINGBeautiful, centrally-located three-star hotels.

MEALSDaily buffet breakfast and daily three-course dinner included.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- Transportation to/from JFK- Daily Lunch (Estimated between $10.00 and $25.00 per meal)

- Laundry, Room Service, Beverages and Snacks from hotel Mini-bar, International Calling Fees, any additional services- Tips for bus driver (suggested 20 euro per person for the driver)

NB Travel/medical insurance; insurance is available for purchase through ProRome: https://prorome.com/travel-insurance/

START PLANNING TODAY:

Contact ProRome: Joe Long, Director

316 North New Street Staunton, VA 24401

Phone: 1-570-309-1346E-mail: jlong@prorome.com Website: www.prorome.com

FEATURING:

VeniceRavennaFlorence

Siena Rome

Vatican City

Cost?$2995.00

Single Room Surcharge = $395.00

The price does not include transportation to/from JFK.