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Here is our typical itinerary:
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
MERCY TOURS
Your Catholic pilgrimage resource
A Spiritual & Cultural Experience
Day 1 U.S.A.--Split
We depart from the U.S. today on our overnight flight to Frankfurt.
Day 2 Split-Medjugorje
We arrive early this morning in Frankfurt where we change planes and continue on to Split, Croatia. Upon arrival in Split around noon we are met by our local English-speaking guide and then board our bus for the drive to Medjugorje. A three-hour drive along the beautiful Adriatic coastline takes us to the village where we check in to our guest house. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje.
Day 3-7 Medjugorje
You have probably come to Medjugorje for any one of several reasons. Perhaps you felt an "inner call" to visit here, perhaps you have read about Medjugorje and are just curious to see for yourself, or perhaps you are accompanying a spouse or friend. Despite the reason you came, we feel that you will be glad that you made the trip once you have experienced what Medjugorje has to offer. Those who have never been sometimes ask: “what are we going to do for five days in Medjugorje?”. Yet at the end, they all wish they had just one more day. It is the kind of experience that is hard to describe—-so come along and find out for yourselves!
On our first morning you will probably hear the roosters crowing as you wake up on the first full day in Medjugorje. Each days activities will vary, but will start with the English-language Mass at 10:00 a.m. Following that our guide will escort us to whatever is planned for the day. One of the things we will do fairly early in our pilgrimage will be to climb Apparition Hill. This is where Our Lady first appeared to the children and as we climb we will meditate upon the mysteries of the rosaries at various stations that have been built along the way.
At other times we will hear talks from whichever visionaries are in the village at this time. These talks are scheduled with English interpreters and are very powerful testimonies as the visionaries (who obviously are now adults) tell of their experiences and the messages of Our Lady.
Those who wish may climb Mount Krizevac (Cross Mountain), site of the giant cross built by the villagers in 1900 to commemorate the 1900 years since the Crucifixion of Jesus. It is a testament to their faith that the concrete had to be carried up by hand to the top of the mountain in order to erect the cross.
Of equal interest is the fact that Saint James Church is actually quite large for such a small village. Now, of course, it stays packed with pilgrims as they attend Masses in many different languages, but at the time it must have seen foolish to build such a large church. Yet obviously God had plans that man could not understand.
There is ample time to pray in the Adoration Chapel, have the Sacrament of Reconciliation and however much personal time you wish. There will by many other experiences, we are sure.
Day 8 Medjugorje--Split--Rome
After Mass this morning we depart Medjugorje and once again travel to Split. This afternoon we take the short one-hour flight from Split to Rome. Upon arrival in Rome our local English-speaking tour director will greet us and escort us 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.
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 10 Rome
After a buffet breakfast this morning we will have a very special experience: 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.
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.
Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 11 Saint Peter's is the world's largest church and filled with priceless works of art. Of special interest, of course, is the Pieta, Michelangelo's famous sculpture.
From here we go to 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.
Then we reluctantly pack up and prepare to say "Arrivederci Roma". We guarantee, you will return some day!
Day 12 Rome--USA
We will have an early morning Mass at Saint Peter's this morning in the crypt area not far from where John Paul II is buried and then head to Rome's airport for our return flight. You may wish to extend your stay in Rome---we will be happy to make arrangements for you.
Mercy Tours Value includes:
- Ground transfer to and from Medjugorje via our own private bus.
- Local English-speaking guides during our stay in Medjugorje and Rome.
- At least one priest will accompany each group (with a minimum of 10 participants).
- Accommodations in a modern pansion (pilgrim home) in Medjugorje.
- Deluxe hotel accommodations in Rome.
- Breakfast and dinner daily in both Rome and Medjugorje.
- Water, wine, coffee & tea with meals.
- Meetings with visionaries as available.
- Tickets to Papal Audience in Rome.
- Mercy Tours Extend-Your-Stay option.
The reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a group of children in 1981 has resulted in over 30 million pilgrims visiting this village since that time. Medjugorje, located in Bosnia & Herzegovina, is close to the border of Croatia. Although millions of pilgrims have come here over the last 29 years, the village still retains a special peaceful atmosphere. It is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal. Combined with four nights in Rome that include a Papal Audience, we feel that this will be an incredibly powerful experience.
June 20- July 3, 2011 $ + air
