The Via Francigene was the route of the early pilgrims who crossed the Alps from England, France, or Germany to honor the relics of the first martyrs and saints of the Church. They came to Rome to gain plenary indulgences, remission for their sins. Pilgrimage today is a journey of the soul's calling for an intended personal purpose. Join Finbarr Ross to explore your soul's calling as we travel the pilgrim route through medieval Italy to Rome.
During our journey we honor the Divine Feminine, explore art, trace the steps of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, experience sacred sites, visit cathedrals, churches, and basilicas, revere the Black Madonna and Mithras statues, walk the steps of the saints, martyrs and emperors, throw coins in many fountains and experience many obelisks, and get to shop and eat fabulous food! Italy is so dramatic!
In Lombardy in Milan, the fashion capital of the world, we see the majestic 14th century Gothic Cathedral, Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper, and the Teatro alla Scala. Traveling east we then visit the university town of Padua and its Cathedral to pay homage to St. Anthony, the patron of lost people, things and causes. Optional visit to Venice.
Traveling south is Siena known for the Palazzo Pubblico, for the 14th century cathedral, for the Pinacoteca Nazionale museum holding rooms of Black Madonna icons by Duccio and other famous Seinese artists, and for the church of San Domenico which holds an important relic of St. Catherine. We then journey on to peaceful and beautiful Assisi where we see the world famous frescos in the upper and lower Basilica Di San Francesco and in the crypt we visit St. Francis; we also pay homage to St. Clare at Santa Chiara and walk the surrounding beautiful, bird-filled garden; at Santa Maria degli Angeli we visit the much venerated shrine, The Cappella del Transito, the humble first church of St. Francis before he died in 1226.
Traveling through beautiful Tuscan country we arrive in Rome, our home for the next 6 days. We spend an awe inspiring day filled with art and other treasure of The Vatican Museum, St. Peter's and the Necropolis, and we have time to see the famous Castle S Angelo of early Papal history and highlighted by Angels and Demons. We also visit the Campadogolio with the newly refurbished equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. After visiting Forum hopefully we gain entrance to Santa Maria Antiqua, one of the oldest churches in Rome with frescos from the 3rd century.
We're off to get our hands trapped in the Bocca and to see SM Cosmedin and ancient temples on the way to the Ghetto. After exploring St. Clemente which has 5 layers of history, we marvel at Bernini's elephant holding an obelisk in front of SM Sopra Minerva and to, in our hearts, unite St. Catherine's head which we honored in Siena with her body in this church. There's more Angel and Demons with our visit to SM del Popolo and SM della Vittoria. And who could in forget St. Francis's church in the Trastevere with Bernini's masterpiece! Shopping along the Via dei Coronari, Via Nazionale, and Via Condotti is awe inspiring!
The beauty around us, the energy of the sacred sites and Finbarr's guidance and healings provide an atmosphere for a safe and pleasant transformational journey, our pilgrimage through Italy.
Tour Information:
http://sacredmysticaljourneys.com/sacred-tour-of-italy/
