Dear Catholic Daughters and friends, It is my honor to invite you to come along on a 12-day pilgrimage to Italy in November 3-14, 2025. A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, grace filled, with the opportunity to join together in prayer and walk in the footsteps of history. 2025 is a Jubilee year with the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”; a special year of grace, in which the Church offers the faithful the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence. As pilgrims, we will visit the four great basilicas of Rome- St. Peter’s, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major, whose Holy Doors have been opened for the Jubilee year. We visit the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and coliseum; the pantheon and Trevi fountain are among the amazing sites we will see while in Rome. On our way to Assisi, we will stop in Orvieto to view the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. This miracle led to the Feast of Corpus Christi. In Assisi we tour the Basilica of St. Francis built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint and the Church of St. Clare which houses her incorrupt body. We will spend time in Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of Lanciano which dates back to the eighth century. San Giovanni Rotondo is where we visit St Pio Sanctuary designed by the famous Architect Renzo Piano and the place where St Pio lived. The sanctuary is one of the UNESCO world Heritage sites. Our final stop before heading back to Rome for our flight home is Montecassino, a monastery established in 529 by St. Benedict. This monastery was completely destroyed during a 4-month battle in WWII that my father had fought in. It has been rebuilt and is a place for people seeking a moment of inner peace and serenity with beauty all around. We will take time to have our own daily mass at chapels throughout our trip. We are looking forward to sharing this special pilgrimage with you and making memories to last a lifetime!! If you need additional information, please contact me at 716-982-1217 or In Unity & Charity, Connie Breindel, New York CDA State Regent