From October 1 to 11, 2007, the abbey is organizing a tour of some of the more famous cities in Italy. Entitled the Italian Renaissance Tour, in actuality it will be more of a pilgrimage. It begins with two nights in Venice, where, among other sites, we will visit the famed Basilica of San Marco, on San Marco Piazza. The basilica houses the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice.
We will next travel to Padua, of Saint Anthony fame, where we will have mass in the beautiful Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, and visit Anthony's tomb in its lovely chapel of carved marble. After Padua, on to Pisa to see its incredible leaning tower.
We will then have a couple of days in beautiful Florence, taking time to see the magnificent David by Michelangelo, and see the impressive Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence.
Passing through the Umbrian countryside, we will stop in Saint; Catherine's Sienna, and then on to Assisi, where we will spend a night and a day. We will have mass at the Basilica of Saint Francis, just feet away from where Saint Francis is entombed and we will visit other important Franciscan sites including the Church of Saint Clare, final resting place of Saint Francis' dear friend.
We will conclude the pilgrimage with four nights in Rome with its several basilicas, including Saint Peter's Basilica. We will have a tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. And, if he is in town, we will take part in the general audience with Pope Benedict before we conclude the pilgrimage.
For those who choose, for an added $1,095, an optional extension of the tour will include a four day excursion to Pompeii, the famed city buried under ash from the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Sorrento, the Amalfi coast, and the beautifully enchanting Isle of Capri, a celebrated beauty spot and resort since the time of the Roman Republic.
If you are interested in joining this pilgrimage or would like a brochure sent to you, contact Father Geoffrey Fecht, OSB, at the abbey development office: phone (320) 363-3818 or e-mail <sjabbeydev@osb.org>.