Faith Journeys

St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) undertook extensive travels, forsaking wealth for a life of humility and service to God. His pilgrimage to Rome secured papal approval for the Franciscan Order. Journeying to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade, he sought peace with the Muslim Sultan.

La Verna became a sacred pilgrimage site where Francis received the stigmata, symbolizing his deep connection to Christ's suffering. His travels throughout Italy, from Assisi to Gubbio, embodied a commitment to poverty, love for nature, and a profound spiritual legacy, establishing him as a venerated figure known for compassion and devotion

Following his last great missionary journey, Apostle Paul returns to Jerusalem and faces arrest. Transported to the Roman provincial capital of Caesarea, he undergoes trial and is eventually sent as a prisoner to Rome to appear before the emperor’s court.

The narrative in the Acts of the Apostles vividly recounts Paul's perilous voyage to Rome, including a shipwreck in Malta, supported by rich historical detail. This passage stands out in the New Testament, boasting a compelling evidential confirmation of its historical accuracy.

The Acts (28) describes the survivors' welcome in Malta, showcasing the islanders' kindness and their response to Paul's miraculous survival from a snakebite. Perillo Tours brings the Book of Acts to life, inviting you to follow in the footsteps of Apostle Paul, where historical, meteorological, and nautical details align with remarkable accuracy.

In Acts 16, prompted by a vision, Paul ventures to Macedonia. In Philippi, they convert Lydia, heal a tormented girl, and face imprisonment, leading to the conversion of their jailer. Acts 17 sees Paul preaching in Thessaloniki, encountering opposition, and seeking refuge in Berea. Trouble persists, and Paul is sent to Athens, where he delivers the renowned "Areopagus sermon." In Acts 18, after Corinthian work, Paul sails to Syria, stopping briefly in Ephesus. His encounters reveal the challenges and triumphs of spreading the Gospel.

Let’s follow Paul’s route – by land and by sea!

Cyprus was Paul’s first site on his missionary path. The island was ruled by the Ptolemies of Egypt until it was annexed by Rome in 58 BC. Many of its rock-cut tombs follow Egypt’s peristyle fashion. Mark Antony gave the island to Cleopatra as a wedding gift, but it was restored as a Roman province after the Battle of Actium (31 BC).

"Here they went into the synagogues on the Sabbath and took their seats. After the passages from the law and the prophets had been read the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message...'Brothers if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation please do so.' Paul stood up, raised his hand for silence and began to speak: 'From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised." [Acts 13:13-23]

Peter baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius, traditionally considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity, in Acts 10. Based on this, the Antioch church was founded. It is also believed that it was there that the term Christian was coined. Christianity arrived on the Italian peninsula in the first century, probably by unknown travelers, traders or soldiers. The Letter to the Romans of Paul the Apostle is addressed and attests to the presence of Roman Christians in the first century. Christians in Rome were also in touch with St. Peter and St. Paul the Apostle, both of whom went to Rome on mission and were eventually martyred there. One of the first Italian bishops and popes was Clement of Rome who wrote a letter to the Christian community in Corinth (1 Clement) around AD 96.

ROME, SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO, LANCIANO, LORETO, ASSISI, SIENA, FLORENCE, VENICE, PADUA, MONTICHIARI, MILAN