MERCY TOURS

                                             Your Catholic pilgrimage resource
                                             A Spiritual and Cultural experience
 














































                     
























                                    Mercy Tours Inc.                    6504 28th Street S.E.  Suite Q              Grand Rapids, Michigan  49546
                                                                             Tel:       1-877-404-4240        616-942-4773          fax 616-808-3794
Catholic Tours
Day 8  Medjugorje--Sinj--Split--Rome
After Mass this morning our bus will pick us up from our guest house and we will drive about two hours to the town of Sinj.  This town is famous for the shrine of Our Lady of Sinj. In 1715, about 700 people of Cetina, together with a number of Franciscan monks bearing a picture of the Mother of Grace, took refuge in Grad, the fortress above the present town, from an Ottoman army comprising ten thousand soldiers, who began a ferocious attack on 14 August. After three hours of furious assault, during which the Franciscans and the people prayed before the picture of the Mother of Grace, the all-conquering Turkish army suddenly and inexplicably took flight. Witnesses said that a white lady illuminated by a vast light had appeared before the besieging soldiers.  The miraculous picture has been honored here ever since.

We then go to the nearby airport in Split for the short one-hour flight to Rome.  Upon arrival in Rome this evening we are met by our local English-speaking guide and escorted to our hotel.  Dinner and overnight in Rome.

After dinner you may wish to get out and about a bit.  Rome is a great city for walking.  Perhaps stroll over to Saint Peter's Square to admire the Basilica, shop in one of the local shops and, above all, be sure to get some Gelato---Italy's famous ice cream.

Day 9  Rome
The highlight of our stay here will be attendance at the weekly Papal audience of Pope Benedict XVI.   The audience is normally held in St. Peter's Square except in case of rain when it is held in the large audience hall.  It is inspiring and impressive to be here with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world.  A sense of excitement builds as groups with the flags of their native countries wait with excitement for the appearance of our Holy Father.

Later we will take a tour of the Vatican Museums, seeing several of the galleries such as the Gallery of the Tapestries, the Gallery of the Candelabras and also the Sistine Chapel.
Rome addition to Medjugorje

Day 10  Rome
Our day begins with a visit to the Catacombs of Saint Calixtus where we celebrate Mass among the tombs of the dead as so many early Christians did.

Next we visit the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. This is the second largest church in Rome after St. Peter’s. Here you will find the tomb of St. Paul under the main altar.

Our day also includes the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This basilica is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Dinner and overnight in Rome.


Day 11  Rome
Today we visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the Pope's own church as Bishop of Rome). 

Right across the street from Saint Johan Lateran we will visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs.  According to tradition, these are the very stairs that Jesus climbed during his Passion.

Today also allows us to see some of ancient Rome:  The Colosseum, the Forum and other architectural wonders from the early days of Rome.

Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 12  Rome--USA
Before breakfast we head over to St. Peter's Basilica where we have an early morning Mass in the crypt area where so many Popes have been laid to rest (including Pope John Paul II).  We then head back to the hotel for breakfast before departing for the airport.
Cost for the Rome extension is $899 per person, double occupancy.  Single rooms are $195 per person.
    Mercy Tours Value includes:
  • At least one priest will accompany the group.
  • Deluxe, centrally-located hotel accommodations.
  • Buffet breakfast and dinner daily. 
  • Local, English-speaking Catholic guide.
  • Ground transportation via our own luxury bus.
  • Admission fees to all sites indicated.
  • Tickets to weekly Papal Audience.
  • Headphones (whisper system) for tours conducted inside the Vatican and Saint Peter's assures you will be able to hear our guide clearly and distinctly in public places.
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Items not included: lunches, air from Split to Rome, tips to driver and guide.