Philadelphia Catholic Shrines Itinerary
Day 1
Morning: Visit the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Dubbed the priest of the working class, his shrine at the beautiful St. Peter the Apostle Church is a wonderful tribute to his life. As the Bishop of Philadelphia, Neumann helped build 90 churches and 40 schools, organized the first diocesan schedule of the Forty Hours' Devotion in America and founded the Glen Riddle Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Continue your pilgrimage with a visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Catherine Laboure entered the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, where she experienced several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1830, Mary revealed to her the design for the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. In 1832, the medals were made and distributed. Many of those who wore the medal received numerous graces and thus the medal began to be known as the "Miraculous Medal." On July 27, 1947, Pope Pius XII canonized Sister Catherine.
Lunch: Take your pick from a variety of eateries at the Reading Terminal Market, an authentic farmers' market in Center City.
Afternoon: Your next stop will be the Saint Rita of Cascia National Shrine. The shrine was built in 1907 by the Augustinian Friars to honor her life of charity and devotion. Rita entered the convent in Cascia, where she lived a life of great faith and charity. Pope Leo XIII canonized her on May 24, 1900.
Dinner/Entertainment: Dine in one of the city's world-class restaurants.
Overnight: Stay in your choice of the many fine hotels in Philadelphia.
Day 2
Morning: Tour the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. In 1953, Father Michael M. Zembrzuski, a Pauline monk from Poland, purchased a portion of land in Doylestown, PA. Two years later, the small barn on his land was converted into a chapel and has now become a truly magnificent monument dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The Miraculous Picture of the Blessed Mother housed at the shrine is a faithful reproduction of the original that was reported to be painted by St. Luke.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at one of the fabulous restaurants located at the Franklin Mills Mall.
Afternoon: Travel to nearby Bensalem and the Saint Katharine Drexel National Shrine. Saint Katharine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and was canonized by Pope John Paul, II on October 1, 2000. Learn about her enormous contributions to the education of young people of many backgrounds. See her burial place and the beautiful mission style buildings and chapel.
Dinner: Relax and enjoy dinner at a Colonial-style tavern. After dinner, take in the Lights of Liberty Show in Independence National Historical Park and become immersed in animated imagery and special effects that tell the story of the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened.
Overnight: Stay in your choice of Philadelphia hotels.
Day 3
Morning: Enjoy mass at the magnificent Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The Cathedral serves as the center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was constructed under the instruction of Saint John Neumann. It features many beautiful decorative elements, including a mural by Constantino Brumidi, LeBruno-designed altars, stain glass windows and mosaics.
Lunch: No tour to Philadelphia is complete without a stop at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Lunch/Afternoon: Enjoy a box-lunch as you travel to your last stop, The National Center for Saint Pio. For over fifty years, Saint Pio had the gift of stigmata, prayer, languages, healing the sick, prophecy, discernment, the ability to be in two places at once or bilocate, and the ability to read the minds and souls of the penitents in his confessional where he encountered visions of the Virgin Mary throughout his life. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared Pio 'venerable'. Then, in 1999, Saint Pio was raised to 'Blessed' and finally in 2002, Pio was canonized a saint.
