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Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network National Conference • Ottawa, 2012

World Youth Day 2013 World Youth Day 2013 Rio De JaneiRo Rio De JaneiRo No.1

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WORLD YOUTH DAY

RIO DE JANEIRO 2013

THE PILGRIMAGE JOURNEY TO RIO

14 Days • Jul 17 – 30, 2013 Option 1 Hotel accommodation in Rio de Janeiro for 7 nights Day 1 Wed, July, 17 2013 • In flight We gather at Pearson International Airport for our Air Canada flight that offers overnight non-stop service from Toronto to Sao Paulo. Meals served in flight Current flight schedule is AC 900 departing Toronto at 11:20 pm and arriving in Sao Paulo at 10:30 am the following day. Day 2 Thu, July 18, 2013 • Day in the Diocese Arrival into Sao Paulo, city of 29 million and Brazil’s largest city. We have a connecting flight that takes us to Rio de Janeiro. This city is quite simply one of the world’s most beautiful and vibrant cities, and is the number one destination for visitors coming to Brazil. Its unique setting, with dramatic mountains and beaches at its very centre, sets it apart from the other great cities of the world. The city, like its people, is warm, captivating, musical and flamboyant. This is the beginning of the Day in the Diocese program and we will transfer your group by coach from the airport in Rio de Janeiro to your site for Day in the Diocese. Allowance is for 200 km radius of Rio and maximum of 8 hours of driving time. Current flight schedule is arrival in Sao Paulo at 10:30 am. Continue on AC6951 departing at 1:00 pm and landing in Rio at 2:00 pm. Note that there are several connecting flights this day. The above shows the “best” connection possible.

Day 3 Fri, July 19, 2013 • Day in the Diocese Day in the Diocese – no services from Tour Design Day 4 Sat, July 20, 2013 • Day in the Diocese Day in the Diocese – no services from Tour Design Day 5 Sun, July 21, 2013 • Day in the Diocese Day in the Diocese – no services from Tour Design Day 6 Mon, July 22, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Transfer by coach today from your site for Day in the Diocese to Rio de Janeiro to your first class hotel located downtown or near Copacabana Beach for the next 7 nights. Your accommodation provides an individual bed for each pilgrim, daily breakfast, air conditioning, private facilities and all services of full service hotel. Most hotels have WIFI. Today Tour Design will also be providing you with your World Youth Day package of information and back packs so you are ready to participate in the 28th World Youth Day celebrations. Welcome dinner Day 7 Tue, July 23, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro This morning we provide a coach and guide to take us by Cog Railway up to the top of the Corcovado, the mountain that is crowned by a magnificent statue of Christ, who watches over Rio with his arms spread out in perpetual welcome, a testament to the warmth

We have more World Youth Day programs. Visit us online www.tourdesign.ca of the Brazilians. The statue stands 30 meters high and is faced by limestone. Pope John Paul 11, Pope Pius X11 and Albert Einstein are some of the famous people to have visited the Corcovado. Lunch will be included today and you need to be hungry as we are going to visit one of the famous churrascaria rodizio, a large barbeque house. They bring continuous grilled meat to the table and you can add your choices from the salad bar. The coach will drop you at the site for the Opening Ceremonies for World Youth Day 2013. (Breakfast at hotel and lunch at churrascaria rodizo)

National Marian Shrine in Brazil. Pope Benedict XVI visited the Basilica of the Shrine of the Aparecida on May 12, 2007, during his Apostolic Journey to Brazil. We include lunch in Aparecida today. We continue onward to Sao Paulo where we once again join Air Canada for our overnight flight to Toronto Current flight schedule is Air Canada 91 departing Sao Paulo at 8:10 pm and arriving Toronto at 5:45 am the following day. Meals served in flight. Day 14 Tue, July 30, 2013 • Arrival home Arrival Toronto at 5:45 am.



Day 8 Wed, July 24, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Catechesis and World Youth Day Activities Day 9 Thu, July 25, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Catechesis, World Youth Day Activities and Welcome for Pope Benedict XV1 Day 10 Fri, July 26, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Catechesis, World Youth Day Activities and Stations of the Cross Day 11 Sat, July 27, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Pilgrimage to overnight vigil site. Overnight vigil with Pope Benedict XV1 Day 12 Sun, July 28, 2013 • Rio de Janeiro Mass with Pope Benedict XV1 and culmination of World Youth Day 2013. Farewell dinner this evening at our hotel. Day 13 Mon, July 29 2013 • Aparecida/In flight Say farewell to Rio as we take a coach and travel to Sao Paulo. The reason we are returning by road is to visit the town of Aparecida, which houses two basilicas dedicated to Brazil’s Patroness Saint, Our Lady of the Conception. The “new basilica,” took years to be built and was already being used for services, ceremonies, and pilgrimage in the late 1960s and beginning of the 1970s. During his first visit to Brazil in 1980, Pope John Paul II dedicated the temple to God Almighty under the invocation of Lady Aparecida and the date of the appearance of the image of the Virgin, October 12, became a national holiday. The Pope created the church as a Minor Basilica and named it the most important

Program includes: • Air Canada service from Toronto to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo to Toronto • 7 nights first class accommodation, • Full day tour of Rio de Janeiro with coach and guide including visit to Christ the Redeemer with lunch at Churrascaria Rodizo. Coach to drop pilgrims late afternoon as close as possible to site for Opening Ceremonies • Transfer from the airport to site for Day in the Diocese, transfer from site for Day in the Diocese to the hotel • Full day coach transfer from the hotel to Sao Paulo including guided visit to “Our Lady of Aparecida” with lunch in Aparecida • Services of Tour Design tour manager during World Youth Day • Tour Design assistance to pick up your backpacks and World Youth Day registration packages • Tipping for coach drivers and guides • Deluxe package insurance inclusive of unlimited hospital medical, cancellation, air flight accident and baggage insurance.

Dynamic Religious Travel Worldwide We can help you with any material you need to assist with marketing your pilgrimage. Posters, flyers, itinerary, web presentation and more.

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Information Night with Tour Design at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish

WHERE:

WHEN: Thursday, Feb 23 at 8 pm in the Church basement

Annunciation Parish, 97 King Road, Richmond Hill ON

WHAT: Learn about the various pilgrimage options for World Youth Day 2013

WHO: Everyone interested Thinking aboutDay your 2013 World Youth Day Pilgrimage? World Youth in participating in We Can Help! World Youth Day World Youth Day Experience:

Space is limited. Book your group now! RSVP Details on reverse WHEN

Our Lady of the AnnunciationSaturday, Parish Mar 3, 2012 97 KING ROAD, RICHMOND HILL,

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Our Lady of the

From 11:00 AM ONTARIO L4E to 2:001A7 PM

PARIS, ROME, TORONTO, COLOGNE,

2013!

SYDNEY & MADRID

WHAT

Call or email Nora McKernan ([email protected]) Complimentary Lunch & or 416-723-1321 TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE. World Youth Day 2013 Presentation

Come join us February 23 (Thursday) 8 pm • Church Basement WHO All group organizers, youth ministers and coordinators are welcome

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World Youth Day Rio de Janierio, 2013

Presentation by Tour Design

We look forward to seeing you all

Date: Saturday, March 3, 2012 Venue: Tour Design Canada Head Office. 1211 Denison Street, Unit 26, Markham Ontario, 1.888.923.9183. Time: 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM Complimentary lunch will be served

Latest information on travel to Rio, Brazil

Due to an overwhelming response from all of you, Tour Design and staff would like to once again invite you all for a visual presentation and information session on upcoming pilgrimage suggestions for Day in the Diocese and World Youth Day Rio de Janeiro 2013. Come and chat with some of the tour managers

WHERE

Tour Design Canada 1211 Denison Street, Unit 26, Markham ON, 1.888.923.9183 See map on reverse

Extension packages before and after WYD

Assist with networking for spiritual support

who made your trip to Madrid such a success. Our staff has great hands-on experience with past World Youth Days and are keen to discuss options for your tourdesign.ca 1211 Denison Ave, Unit 26, Markham, Ontario, L3R 4B3 Phone: 905. 258. 7778 Fax: 905. 258. 7779

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pilgrimage in 2013. We would invite anyone interested and come and join us. Please contact us if you require overnight accommodation. RSVP: Please email us with your acknowledgement for attendance to [email protected] or [email protected].

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World Youth Day Experience: PARIS, ROME, TORONTO, COLOGNE, SYDNEY & MADRID 12-02-14 3:49 PM

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Day 3 Bethlehem

“Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15). We drive to a hilltop for a view of Bethlehem, noting its relation to the rest of the central mountain range, including Jerusalem, as well as to the desert and the area of ancient Moab. We then drive to the Shepherds’ Fields.Celebrate Mass in Shepherd’s Field: Incarnation. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger. In the afternoon, we drive through the Judean Wilderness passing by the Good Samaritan Inn on the way to Qumran, where the hidden library of the Essenes, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. We explore the relationship of their teachings to those of John the Baptist and Jesus. We drive south along the western shores of the Dead Sea to Masada. At Masada, you will take a cable car ride to the ruins of Herod’s palace-fortress atop Masada. Here, the Zealots chose mass suicide rather than surrender to the Romans at the time of the fall of Jerusalem. After visiting the ruins of the fortifications, reservoirs for water, Herodian palaces, synagogue, Roman temples and baths, we stop at the Dead Sea. After floating in the Dead Sea (at minus 1390 feet, as low as you’re ever likely to get), we return to our Bethlehem hotel fopr dinner and overnight.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

The Life of Jesus This program focuses on the life and mission of Jesus. Groups with more time can take it as a framework, including First Testament sites as well. Day 1 In flight Departure from Pearson International Airport for your overseas flight to Tel Aviv. Other gateway cities available on requests. Day 2 Bethlehem

“ And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “” (Luke 1:42). Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, we meet our representative after passport control and meet our guide and board our bus and drive up the Judean Hills towards Jerusalem and Bethlehem .If time permits, we will stop at picturesque Ein Karem village located approximately 8 km southwest of Jerusalem It is indirectly mentioned in the bible as home of St. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, and the birthplace of their son John the Baptist where also Mary visited Ein Karem on the way to Bethlehem during her pregnancy. She stayed with her kinswoman Elizabeth for 3 months following the visitation by the angel Gabriel in which he announced the future birth of Jesus. We visit the church of visitation is also known as the Church of the Magnificat (Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55) one of the most artistic in the Holy Land, for quiet meditation on the meeting between two mothers... Mary and Elizabeth. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Visitation. Visit St. John’s Church before we continue south passing by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem and drive to our hotel in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Nazareth

“He will be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23) After breakfast, we drive to Bethany, where Martha, Mary and Lazarus welcomed Jesus in their home. Bethany is also the house of Simon the leper. Here, Jesus was anointed, as if for burial, by a very special woman. Next we drve to Jericho. At Jericho, we visit the tell of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. Driving through the Jordan Valley north. Before Beth Shean we drive west into Harod’s Valley. This fantastic view is filled with biblical history. From this location on Tel Jezreel looking east, one can yet crowned) Jehu “driving like a madman,” on his way to killing the kings of Israel and Judah. 900 years later, Jesus healed the 10 lepers, probably somewhere in this valley. We continue past Ein Harod. Judges 7 describes Gideon’s actions in thinning his army out, on our way to Mt. Tabor. At the foot of Mt. Tabor is the little village of Naim. Here, Jesus raised the son of the poor widow from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17). We take taxis to the top of Mt. Tabor. The elevation provides an utterly commanding view of all of Galilee. “...Lord, it is good for us to be here...” (Luke 9:33). It was here that Jesus revealed the wonderful power of presence in communion with saints of the past (Moses and Elijah). This also became immediate evidence of Communion with His Father as well. We visit the site of the Transfiguration. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration: New Vision. After descending from Mt. Tabor we drive west through the Jezreel Valley to Nazareth for dinner and overnight at a hotel in Nazareth. Day 5 Nazareth

“Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the lake in the region of Zebulon and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:13). We spend the morning getting acquainted with Nazareth, visiting its spring, where Mary would have done her family’s laundry, and walking through the present-day bazaar to the site of the ancient village, where today stands the Church of the Annunciation. Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration: New Vision. We then drive to nearby Sepphoris, the only city in the midst of

Galilee at the time when Jesus was growing up - today a rich archaeological site. After a stop at Cana, where Jesus performed his first sign (John 2), we walk to the edge of the Arbel cliff, overlooking the northern part of the Sea of Galilee, including the main sites of Jesus’ mission. Day 6 Nazareth

“Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.” (Matthew 5:1). We begin on the Mt. of Beatitudes considering Jesus’ teachings. We then descend to Tabgha at the northwestern shore of the lake, an area intense with Christian memories. Here we visit a church commemorating the first feeding of the multitude (loaves and fishes). Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Multipication (Taghba): Sacraments of Initiation. We go on to Capernaum: with the help of the ruins, we remember the miracles Jesus worked there. We then drive north to Caesarea Philippi (Banias), a source of the Jordan at the foot of Mt. Hermon - where Peter confessed his recognition of Jesus as the Christ. We return to the lake via the Golan Heights, with a view toward Damascus. We then sail across the lake in a wooden boat, modeled on one discovered from the time of Jesus.

Day 9 Jerusalem

“He has risen!”

(Mark 16:6)

Early morning, we drive to the Old City and enter through St. Stephen’s Gate to the convent of the Sisters of Zion to see the Lithostrotos in the chapel of the Flagellation, where Jesus was tried and condemned by Pilate. Then, carry the Cross and Pray along the Station of the Cross as we retrace Jesus’ last steps before His Crucifixion down the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Holy Sepulchre. Return to your hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, we visit the Crusader Church of St. Anne and explore the Pool of Bethesda. “…Lord, stay with us, for it is toward evening…”(Luke 24:29) Time for shopping in Jerusalem before dinner. Day 10 In flight Return flight from Tel Aviv to Toronto and onward to your point of origin.

Day 7 Jerusalem

“We are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matthew 20:18). We cross the Plain of Jezreel to Megiddo, the Armageddon of Revelation. We then drive up Mt. Carmel to visit the location of Elijah’s grotto where he asked for the coming of rain after defeating the prophets of Baal. The place is marked by a shrine and a monastery. Celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Muhraqa): (“Stella Maris”). Mass: Choose God. Enjoy the breathtaking view from atop Mt. Carmel. We drive along the Via Maris - The Mediterranean coastline south to Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the East, which became the Christian springboard to the West. After the visit this ancient harbor, we board our bus and we head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem. Day 8 Jerusalem

“If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace” (Luke 19:42) After breakfast, we drive to the Mount of Olives. The summit offers a magnificent view of the Old City. This visit reminds us of Jesus’ last hours in prayer and anguish as he faced his passion and death. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Shrine of Pater Noster, and the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept). Then, follow Jesus’ Palm Sunday route along Hosanna Road to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Grotto, the Garden, and the Church of the Agony. Then, we continue to visit the Church of the Assumption (burial place of the Virgin Mary and St. Anne’s). We then drive through the Kidron Valley and head towards Mt. Zion, where we will pass the Tombs of Absolom and Zachariah. Visit the Church of St. Peter-in-Gallicantu. This church is built on the site of the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. Here, Jesus was imprisoned and Peter denied the Lord three times. Next we visit the Upper Room, site of the Last Supper and descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Then, visit the Dormition Abbey, built to honor the Assumption of Our Lady. Celebrate Mass at the Dormition Abbey: Holy Thursday.

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In The Footsteps of Blessed Pope John XXIII:

A Pilgrimage of Renewal & Hope

10 days / 8 nights The Second Vatican Council, 1962-65, has been called the “greatest religious event of the Twentieth Century” (Blessed Pope John Paul II). Yet few Catholics have read the Council’s documents or understand its vision balancing renewal (aggiornamento) with Living Tradition. For most Catholics, Vatican II remains “The Greatest Story NEVER Told!” Stand in the light of this great Council by walking in the footsteps of its visionary and Spirit-filled architect, Blessed Pope John XXIII. From his humble beginnings on the northern Lombard plains of Italy to his unprecedented ecumenical Council, walk with Blessed John XXIII and consider how the renewal of Faith in your life and in our parish should continue today!

Day 1: Departure from the Canada The best preparation for the new millennium can only be expressed in a renewed commitment to apply as faithfully as possible, the teachings of Vatican II to the life of every individual and of the whole Church. (Tertio Millenio Adveniente) Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight to Milan, Italy. Day 2: Arrival to Milan What a wonder it is! So grand, so solemn, so vast! And yet so delicate, so airy, so graceful! (Mark Twain describing the Milan Duomo from Innocents Abroad). We begin this morning with a guided tour of Milan, Italy’s business hub and a great draw to many throughout history, from St. Ambrose and Leonardo da Vinci, to the waves of immigrants who fueled its growth in the second half of the 20th century. Here we will visit the largest Gothic cathedral and second largest Catholic cathedral in the world: the Duomo di Milano. We know the Duomo occupied a central place in this ancient city because the street plan has its streets either radiating from the Duomo or circling it. In the afternoon we drive east to the town of Bergamo for a welcome dinner and overnight. Day 3: Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII I am going to sleep now, the Church is Yours. (John XXIII bedtime prayer) After the morning’s celebration of mass, we make our way to the small country village of Sotto il Monte, in the beautiful Province of Bergamo in the Lombardy region of Italy. It was here that one of the most beloved Popes and the spiritual and intellectual leader of the Second Vatican Council, was born on November 25, 1881, into a humble family of sharecroppers. Angelo Roncalli (Blessed Pope John XXIII) was a firstborn son and the fourth child in a family of thirteen. On his deathbed he said, “I had the great grace to be born into a Christian family, modest and poor, but with the fear of the Lord.” Today we’ll enjoy following in his first footsteps, to see St. Mary’s Church where he was baptized as well as other sites where it all began. As we contemplate the early life of Pope John XXIII, a man who set in motion ideas and forces that not only influenced the Church but the whole world, we will be reminded that out of humble beginnings the Spirit can accomplish great things. We’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Bergamo, the province’s capital city. Day 4: Patriarch of Venice It is now for the Catholic Church to bend herself to her work with calmness and generosity. It is for you to observe her with renewed and friendly attention. (Blessed John XXIII) With its unique heritage of art, architecture, spirit, and culture, the city of Venice has earned the nickname La Serenissima, “The Most Serene” which seems fitting as we continue in the footsteps of Pope John XXIII whose guiding motto was Obedientia et Pax (“Obedience and Peace”). The Blessed Pope became Patriarch of Venice in 1953 and was raised to the rank of cardinal by Pope Pius XII. As a sign of his esteem, President Vincent Auriol of France claimed the ancient privilege possessed by French monarchs and bestowed the red hat on

the now-Cardinal Roncalli at a ceremony in the Elysee Palace. Today, we visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Mark (architecturally, a Byzantine wonder covered in golden mosaics and art treasures) where in his first homily, he exhibited the warmth, simplicity and charm that would become his trademark, when he told the Venetians, “I want to be your lovely brother.” This humility is in keeping with Pope John XXIII’s preferred designation as servus servorum Dei – a servant of the servants of God. And instead of using a private gondola as befitting Patriarchs of the past, this Patriarch used a public boat to move about. We’ll do likewise as we make our way to the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) to see such splendid sights as the Doge’s Palace, home to the political leader of the Republic of Venice. During our visit to this spiritual island, we can’t help remember another Patriarch of Venice: Pope John Paul I, who collaborated with John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council where suddenly and powerfully, the world was given to understand that Christ is King of the universe and the universe is right before our eyes. Toward the close of an unforgettable day, we’ll return to Bergamo for dinner and another overnight stay. Day 5: A Pilgrimage to Loreto & Assisi Today in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit, multiple efforts are being expended through prayer, word, and action to attain that fullness of unity which Jesus Christ desires. (Decree on Ecumenism #4) It is said that Pope John XXIII was often astonished by the attention of the Roman, Italian and International press (he often said of his travels: “You could not come to me, so I came to you.”). His pilgrimage by train to Loreto and Assisi a week before the October 11, 1962, start of the Second Ecumenical Council was no exception. The press paid special attention to this exceptional journey (it was the first time that a Pope went out of the Lazio region since the annexation of Rome by the Italian State in 1870) and noted with great care his speeches along the way while throngs of people welcomed him throughout the countryside as he often spoke to them from the windows of the train. He came to the sanctuaries of Loreto and Assisi for the same reason that other pilgrims from other times have come: to beseech God to bestow his extraordinary graces on him, and to bless his efforts, as he often said “to open the windows of the Church to let in some fresh air.” In Loreto, we’ll visit the Santa Casa di Loreto, the Holy House of Loreto, which has been a place of pilgrimage since at least the 14th century. Legend tells us that in 1291 the Virgin Mary’s House was miraculously transported by angels from Nazareth to Croatia, and then to Loreto in 1294. The Holy House is now located inside the Basilica. Here we celebrate Mass before continuing to Assisi for dinner and an overnight stay. Day 6: St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace (attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi). Assisi lies in the Umbria region of Italy on the eastern flank of Monte Subasio and is regarded as a very special spot on earth linked in legend with its native son, St. Francis, a gentle saint who founded the Franciscan order and is remembered

as a great lover of nature (his sermon to an audience of birds is one of the bestloved sermons of his life). While in Assisi, we will explore the huge 13th-century basilica which contains many of the possessions of St. Francis and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You will have a chance to see where St. Francis knelt before the crucifix and heard Jesus ask him to rebuild His church. We will also visit Santa Maria Maggiore, the earliest extant church in Assisi and its former cathedral, as well as the Basilica of Santa Chiara (St. Clare), where St. Clare who founded the Order of Poor Clares, followed in the humble ways of St. Francis. We end our tour of Assisi by visiting the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare and will have the opportunity to enjoy some leisure time this afternoon. Day 7: St. Rita (OR Travel to Roma for a day of leisure & reflection) Please let me suffer like you, Divine Saviour (St. Rita while living at the convent). Our first destination today, Cascia, is a town in the Italian province of Perugia, a rather remote and mountainous area in the southeastern corner of Umbria. It is here that we celebrate mass and visit the Shrine of St. Rita. St. Rita, a wife and mother and later a nun who while praying was wounded in the forehead by a thorn from the figure of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ when it fell from the crown of thorns, was canonized in 1900. The house where she was born can still be visited. We will also see the Basilica of St. Rita which contains her incorrupt body, several relics from her life, and a Eucharistic miracle from before her time. In the afternoon we continue to Rome. Day 8: (Wednesday) Papal Audience, Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica In this assembly, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we wish to inquire how we ought to renew ourselves, so that we may be found increasingly faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Opening Message to Humanity #2, Second Vatican Council) We greet the new day in a city nicknamed Caput Mundi (Capital of the World) and The Eternal City, not only because Rome has always been the hub of art, education, high culture and politics in the western world, but because it is also a spiritual capital and a powerful center of pilgrimage. It was here on October 11, 1962, that Pope John XXIII (described in Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year” edition, as “not only a person of luminous human qualities but an intuitive judge of mankind’s hopes and needs”) summoned Vatican II, one of only 21 councils convened in the more than 2,000 years of Christian history. As we continue in his footsteps, we will first visit Vatican City to attend an Audience/Blessing with our Holy Father (schedule permitting), then we will tour the Vatican Museum which houses what can be described as the most important collection of art in the world. The history and awe surrounding the galleries and all the treasures they contain will truly transfix us. Highlights include The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms, and The Sistine Chapel where we will gaze on Michelangelo’s incredible masterpiece. We will also enter St. Peter’s Basilica which has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world and which has been described as the reason Rome is still the center of the civilized world. Tradition and historical evidence hold that St. Peter’s tomb is directly below the altar of this basilica, which American Ralph Waldo Emerson described as an ornament of the earth… the sublime of the beautiful. We will also marvel at Bernini’s beautiful bronze canopy over this altar. After being declared Blessed in 2000, John XXIII’s body was transferred from the Grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica to the St. Jerome Altar in the basilica itself. The area that had held the

sarcophagus of Pope John XXIII, located less than 100 ft from the Tomb of St. Peter, became the original tomb of Pope John Paul II, whose funeral was held on April 8, 2005. Over the last six years, roughly 20,000 pilgrims visited his tomb every day. In his will, John Paul II specifically wrote that he wanted to be buried on that site. His wish was to be laid to rest on soil with a simple white marble slab. With his beatification his remains were transferred from the crypt to the basilica, as is tradition with popes, saints and the blessed. John Paul II’s remains were taken to the San Sebastiano chapel, next to The Pietá, Michelangelo’s statue of the Blessed Mother holding her crucified son, where the remains of another beatified pope, Inocencio XI, rested until they were transferred to another part of the Basilica. The remains of John Paul II are under this altar, covered with a gravestone and just four words: “Beatus Ioannes Paulus II.” Before dinner, will we have the opportunity for individual exploration. Some might want to sit quietly at an outside café to take it all in while others will want to shop and savor the flavor of the “Eternal City.” Day 9: The Major Basilicas Thus it is evident to everyone that all the faithful of Christ, of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity. (Lumen Gentium #40) In keeping with a simple, sincere piety and the spiritual notes kept all his life in a sort of diary called Journal of a Soul, Pope John XXIII said to a group of cardinals a short time before his death, “Our humble life, like the life of everyone, is in the hands of God.” Today we begin with Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The ceiling of this basilica is said to be decorated with gold that Columbus brought back from the new world. Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother, is part of the day’s “Christian Rome” tour, and has beautiful Biblical mosaics, a marble floor, bell tower and one of the oldest shrines (containing a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus) dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the oldest of the major basilicas and ranks first as the actual “parish church” of the Pope (Bishop of Rome). There we will learn about the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs). Tradition has it that these steps, said to be the staircase leading once to the praetorium of Pilate at Jerusalem, are sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during his Passion. Next, we’ll see the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls which was founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine I over the burial place of Saint Paul. Enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner with your brothers and sisters in the ecumenical spirit of the Second Vatican Council. Day 10: Return to Canada Our prayer is that in the midst of this world, there may radiate the light of our great hope in Jesus Christ, our only Savior. (Opening Message to Humanity, Second Vatican Council) We will let the power of the holy places and priceless relics settle over us; then like other pilgrims of other times, go back to our lives with renewed faith and readiness. We leave our hotel and head for the airport to return to the Canada.

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Tour Design

Fran Bulley ext 225 [email protected]

1211 Denison Street, Unit 26

Alan Law

ext 247 [email protected]

Annie Chien

ext 234 [email protected]

Markham, Ontario, L3R 4B3

Toll free: 1-888-923-9183 www.tourdesign.ca

TICO Reg #50014865

Sophie Borda ext 221 [email protected] Priscilla Yu

ext 243 [email protected]

Nancy Liu

ext 251 [email protected]

TOUR DESIGN & GLP WORLDWIDE Dynamic Religious Travel Worldwide