Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Hiking Pilgrimage, Italy
JUNE 26–JULY 5, 2023
Rome, Assisi, Turin, Cogne, Pollone, Oropa and Valle d'Aosta
Price
$2,200 per person
Includes
- Creatio guides
- Trip insurance
- All lodging
- Ground transportation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day
- Daily Mass
- Opportunities for spiritual talks and reflection and the chance to hike in the Italian Alps!
Excludes
- International flights
- Passport fees
A Note about Flights
Frassati NYC will be coordinating flight schedules; please check with them for plans. We allow you to choose your own flights to keep our trip costs as low as possible. The earlier flights are purchased, the better! We recommend checking www.kayak.com, www.skyscanner.com, and www.google.com/flights/ for flight options.
June 26 – July 5, 2023 NYC Frassati Pilgrimage, Italy
$2,200.00
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About this Trip
Verso l’alto: To the heights! Go to the heights that inspired Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes,” with Creatio! Hike the same mountains he did, see his family’s summer home, pray at the Oropa Shrine where he would run to daily Mass, explore the Aosta Valley region on the borders of France and Switzerland, and finish the pilgrimage by visiting his tomb in his home city of Turin.
Creatio’s experienced guides will lead you on this pilgrimage in nature and in spirit. Our guides helped create this adventure after experiencing beauty and peace in Pier Giorgio’s Italy.
For all pilgrims with Creatio, all meals, lodgings, and visits to points of interest are prearranged and included in the cost of the trip. We want you to be free to experience God in nature. As experienced pilgrims ourselves, we find this easiest when day-to-day cares are minimal and we are freely allowed to “adventure in nature, journey in spirit.”
Travel with the Frassati Fellowship of NYC, a community of young adults inspired by Blessed Pier Giorgio and centered around four pillars of his life: adoration of Christ in the Eucharist, spiritual growth through authentic friendship, love of the outdoors, and a heart for the poor. You will also be accompanied throughout the trip by priests from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. For any trip-related questions directed at Frassati NYC, please contact them at pilgrimages@frassati.nyc.
Register worry-free with our new Experience Agreement (COVID-friendly booking). Click for more details.
During the first three days of the trip, organized by Frassati NYC, travel to Rome and Assisi, cities at the heart of Catholicism, and experience renewed devotion to the Church Pier Giorgio loved. Your Creatio experience will then begin upon arriving in Turin.
Register worry-free with our new Experience Agreement (COVID-friendly booking). Click for More Details.
Your Guides
John-Henry Frantz
Missionary Guide
Jayden Jones
Missionary Guide
About Pier Giorgio Frassati
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati was born April 6, 1901, and died at the age of 24 after contracting polio while taking care of the poor and sick. Pier Giorgio’s friends described him as “an explosion of joy.” In her biography, Luciana Frassati, Pier Giorgio's sister, said that “he represented the finest in Christian youth: pure, happy, enthusiastic about everything that is good and beautiful.” He was an avid outdoorsman, skier, and mountain climber who loved spending time with his friends in the outdoors. Pier Giorgio said in one of his letters, “Every day, my love for the mountains grows more and more. If my studies permitted, I’d spend whole days in the mountains contemplating the Creator’s greatness in that pure air.” He studied engineering, which was not easy for him. He had to spend a lot of time studying but he wanted to "serve Christ better among the miners." He had an appreciation for art (his mother and one of his close friends were artists), music, and poetry. He was a strong activist against both the communists and fascists and was a part of Catholic groups where he encouraged other young people to work for social reform. He also had a deep love for the poor, whom he ministered to up until his death.
Locations
Rome, Italy
In Rome, the Eternal City, encounter the heart of Catholicism, the breathtaking beauty of the Vatican, and the foundations of the Church. Explore Roman ruins, learn about the historical roots of our Catholic faith, walk in the footsteps of apostles, saints, popes, and martyrs, admire stunning sacred art, and enjoy incomparable gelato. (Time in Rome will be organized by Frassati NYC.)
Assisi, Italy
Explore the Umbrian hill town of Assisi, home of Saints Francis and Clare. Stroll the cobblestone streets while learning about the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who will be accompanying us throughout the trip. Take in the masterpiece frescos of Giotto and Cimabue in the Basilica of St. Francis and savor the distinct peace and tranquility of this sacred place. (Time in Assisi will be organized by Frassati NYC.)
Pollone, Italy
This is where Pier Giorgio would spend his summers; the house is still owned by the Frassati family. We visit the home and see many of his material belongings and mementos. Situated in the Piedmont region of Italy, Pollone is a quaint town with majestic views. When Pier Giorgio was here, he would give the money that he would have used for public transportation to the poor and instead run to daily Mass at the Oropa Sanctuary. He would run there and back before the rest of the family woke up in the morning. The Sanctuary, “the shrine between earth and sky,” was founded in the fourth century by St. Eusebio and is a pilgrimage site for its statue of the Black Madonna.
Valle d’Aosta, Italy
This amazing region neighbors both Switzerland and France. It is the perfect place to explore the Italian Alps with its amazing views, wildlife, medieval structures, and natural wonders. Stay in a refuge that is nestled within a 2-hour hike into the mountains, surrounded by lakes and cows, for a real experience of European mountain hospitality. A short hike away, you can see the famous Mont Blanc.
Turin, Italy
This busy Italian city is known for its architecture and cuisine. It is also the city that Pier Giorgio lived and died in. It is said that when he died, the poor and sick he had served flooded around his home. Visit Turin’s many churches, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, where the Shroud of Turin is held and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati is buried. Walk in the footsteps of many other saints around the city, such as St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello. Turin is also bustling with an open-air market where you can buy fresh grapes, figs, bread, and cheese.
Community and Friendship
“Community,” “deep conversation,” “friendship.” Many pilgrims chose these words when asked to describe their Creatio Pilgrimage experiences in one phrase. Others affectionately remember their experience by calling their fellow pilgrims their “pilgrim family.” Of course, the pilgrim experience is a great opportunity for silence, personal reflection, and soul-searching. But we are made for community, made for an encounter, and much of that soul-searching happens in communion with others. Those conversations that happen while preparing dinner, sipping a hot espresso in tiny village, or helping someone with their blisters (yes, they’re real) may be the ones that help change our lives. Come prepared to live out the beauty of community—similar to Pier Giorgio Frassati and his friends!
Spirituality
Creatio’s spirituality is focused on strengthening the four relationships: relationship with self, with one another, with nature, and with God. We encourage all of our pilgrims to be open to experience a deepening of these relationships while on our experiences. We go out into nature and beauty and hope that along the journey, we encounter the depth of ourselves and those around us. The locations that we visit are perfect for just that.
“The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ.” —Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
On this Creatio Pilgrimage, there are many opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection. Pilgrims have the opportunity for daily moments of prayer and reflection led by Creatio guides and can participate in the Mass in some little cities along the way. Experience the rich Italian Catholic tradition in a truly authentic way, surrounded by mountains, nature, and your pilgrim family.
Lodging
One of the best parts of pilgrimage is living a simple life for a week. And one of the best parts of Italy is its hospitality. That being said, stay in some incredibly unique places, such as a shrine, refuges in the Alps, and a monastery. Because this is a pilgrimage, conditions may not exactly be five-star, but basic needs for pilgrims will always be met (warm place to sleep, blankets, etc). Meeting and resting with other travelers from around the world and sharing meals and life for a short while with them is also a joyous experience!
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
*This itinerary is subject to change
Day 1 (June 26, 2023) Milan, Italy / Rome, Italy
Arrive in Milan and travel together to Rome.
Day 2 (June 27, 2023) Rome, Italy
Explore Rome and the Vatican.
Day 3 (June 28, 2023) Rome, Italy / Assisi, Italy
Travel from Rome to Assisi and experience the home of St. Francis, guided by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
Day 4 (June 29, 2023) Assisi, Italy / Turin, Italy
Creatio arranges transportation from Assisi to Turin. Check into lodging and kickoff dinner. The Creatio Experience officially begins.
Day 5 (July 30, 2023) Turin, Italy
In Bl. Frassati’s hometown of Turin, you will be able to visit his tomb, where the Shroud of Turin is also located, as well as other locations significant to his life. Also get to know St. Don Bosco, as we will stay at Valdocco, the parish (and surrounding village) founded by Don Bosco himself. You will have time to explore the city and try some amazing food and drink.
Day 6 (July 1, 2023) Turin, Italy / Cogne, Italy / Aosta, Italy
In the morning, travel to Cogne and partake in the dedication of a new plaque to Pier Giorgio. In the afternoon, travel to the Aosta Valley and begin our hike to Refugio Frassati. A 2–3 hour hike will take us to the Refugio Pier Giorgio Frassati, which will be our home for the night. Reflections and talks to take place en route.
Day 7 (July 2, 2023) Aosta, Italy / Pollone, Italy
Hike down from the Refugio. Travel to Pollone and meet with Wanda Gawronska, Pier Giorgio’s niece. Check into the Sanctuary of Oropa.
Day 8 (July 3, 2022) Pollone, Italy
Pollone, Italy, is where Pier Giorgio would spend his summers. We will spend the day literally walking in his footsteps—hiking where he did, seeing his family home, and praying at the chapels he would. Stay in the Santuario di Oropa, “the shrine between earth and sky.”
Day 8 (July 4, 2022) Pollone, Italy
Celebrate the feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio. The group will hike one of Frassati’s favorite mountains, Monte Mucrone, which is now dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Note that this is a moderate-to-difficult hike with the option to go to Poggio Frassati.
Day 9 (July 5, 2023) Fly home
On the final morning, the group will say goodbye to Pollone and drive to Milan. In under two hours, we will arrive at the airport. Here is when the Pilgrimage Experience officially ends.
Excludes: International flights, other travel or tourism arrangements.
Travel to and from Italy
ARRIVAL: Creatio will organize transportation from Assisi to Turin, and the Creatio Experience officially starts when we meet at the train station.
DEPARTURE: Participants will arrive back in Milan at approximately 12:30pm on July 5. Creatio is responsible for getting pilgrims from Pollone to Milan, unless other arrangements are made.
The Experience officially ends at 12:30pm on July 5. Participants who wish to remain for extra time may do so on their own. Any other transportation or travel arrangements are the responsibility of each participant, but we can assist you in getting a taxi or taking public transit at the end of the trip. In the past, our pilgrims have often traveled elsewhere after the trip, and you are free to do so.
Additional Details
Please wait until we have confirmed your spot in the pilgrimage to buy your flights. Please contact Frassati NYC about coordinating flights with group travel rates. At this time, also be aware of change and cancellation fees, or lack thereof (see Insurance section below for more details).
Travel Insurance
The cost of your pilgrimage with us includes trip insurance. This insurance covers things like trip cancellation/interruption (under certain conditions), emergency medical care & evacuation, travel delays, lost luggage, etc. Travel insurance only covers the advertised costs and services. If you are purchasing your flights separately (on your own), your flight will not be covered by the trip travel insurance, and another policy must be purchased separately.
Travel insurance is required for Creatio trips. A policy in your name will be included in the Experience price. All policies included in an Experience only provide coverage during the advertised dates of the Experience. If a participant’s personal situation results in canceling the trip prior to departure (e.g. participant gets sick and must withdraw from the Experience prior to departure date), then Creatio’s cancellation policy applies.
Creatio is not an insurance company and has no responsibility for the submission, payment, or adjustment of any insurance claims. Any insurance claims that may fall under the relevant travel insurance policy must be submitted to the insurance company identified in the policy.
If a participant is concerned about recovering costs due to cancellation for any reason whatsoever, Creatio recommends participants purchase the add-on Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) insurance at checkout when registering for the trip. The cost of this add-on is $100 and allows participants of recover 75% of the trip cost up to 48 hours before the trip. More details on the CFAR policy upgrade can be found HERE.
Medical Insurance
In addition to traveler’s insurance, it is good to know what your medical insurance covers in foreign countries. Call your insurance before departing and know what is in your plan. Bring your insurance card with you. All participants must have their own medical insurance plan. It is possible to purchase short-term coverage specifically for medical issues while abroad.
Health & Safety Information
Health Information
We recommend you and your group undergo a medical check-up before traveling to make sure you don’t have any kind of medical condition that could obstruct your participation in the pilgrimage.
This pilgrimage is physically demanding. The majority of this trip is on foot exploring the mountainous landscape of northwest Italy. Much of the beauty we see is accessible only by hiking, so if you are not physically active, you should start exercising now to prepare.
Northern Italy’s climate in the summer is very temperate, with temperatures between 60–85o F. The most significant difficulty that pilgrims encounter involves hiking multiple days in the Alps, which can be physically demanding. Pilgrims are encouraged to practice hiking long distances, wearing the boots or shoes that they will wear on the pilgrimage. Blisters are one of the most frequent challenges of the hiking pilgrim. They can be limited/avoided by getting high-quality and good-fitting socks and boots. Pilgrims are encouraged to break in their footwear if they are purchasing new equipment, walking at least 3–4 weeks with the new boots before use.
Medical Care
Italy has a national healthcare system with mostly public hospitals. Hospitals are all within close proximity of our travel destinations, with bigger, modern hospitals in major cities.
For more country-specific health and safety information, visit www.travel.state.gov for details.
Required Documents
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the final day of trip. Passport must have at least one blank visa page.
- Visit travel.state.gov to understand visa and vaccine requirements regarding the country from which you are coming.
- Please contact us to confirm non-US citizen visa requirements.
Packing List
This list is subject to change.
Weather is very dependent on location. The city of Turin is typically humid and hot, while the mountains are typically chilly, especially in the mornings. Use the layering system and multi-use clothing items when possible.
RECOMMENDED
- Backpack or duffel w/ a small daypack
- Passport (See “Preparation Items”)
- Traveler’s insurance card
- General insurance card
- Copy of passport, ID, and insurance cards
- Emergency contact information
- Money for souvenirs, airport meals, personal items, and additional snacks or drinks you might want (See “Preparation Items”)
- Debit card (and PIN) (See “Preparation Items”)
- Water bottle or CamelBak (It doesn’t need to be huge—tap water in Italy is drinkable and readily available along our route. If you do bring a CamelBak, also bring a water bottle to use in the evenings.)
- Headlamp
- Hiking clothes
- 3 shirts—base layer, you will only need a T-shirt most of the day
- 1 long-sleeve/light outer-layer jacket for chilly mornings
- 2 pairs of pants or hiking shorts
- 2–3 pairs non-cotton socks
- Light outer-shell raincoat
- 1 set of light sleeping clothes—T-shirt and shorts
- At least 1 nicer outfit for going into churches / in the city
- Women: no tank tops for going into churches
- Good walking/hiking shoes
- Sandals—Chacos, Tevas, Keens, or the like
- Sunglasses/hat
- Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo; travel-size items or share). Recommend Dr. Bronner’s soap or similar—you can use it as shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, etc.
- Sunscreen
- Small towel (highly recommend the PakTowel or swimmer towels that are small and dry quickly)
- Prescribed and non-prescribed medications
- Rosary or other spiritual items
Optional
- One small book—There will be time to sit and read and reflect.
- Bible
- Journal
- Camera and charger—Be aware of voltage difference so bring an adapter or share one.
- Phone and charger—Be aware of voltage difference. Most new phones can handle it. Leaders will carry a phone for emergencies, so you will be able to leave your phone off during the trip.
- Spork
- Earplugs
- Small pouch for passport and personal money
- Blister care: safety pins (2), needle, thread, band-aids, first-aid tape, Vaseline, moleskin. Creatio will provide some. You can also buy these things along the way if you need them.
- Watch—Not necessary, but handy for meeting times and morning alarm
*Trip insurance provides coverage during the advertised dates of the Experience. If a situation arises prior to departure, this would not be covered.
*Trip insurance provides coverage during the advertised dates of the Experience. If a situation arises prior to departure, this would not be covered.