The Complete Pilgrim Guide to Italy

Land of Saints and Sanctuaries, Miracles and Mystics

The most comprehensive English-language Catholic pilgrimage guide to Italy available today.

Italy is not simply a country to visit. It is a living reliquary. Nowhere else in the world boasts such a concentration of basilicas, cathedrals, saints, martyrs, Eucharistic miracles, Marian shrines, incorruptibles, and mystics. From the tomb of St. Peter in Rome to the Portiuncula of Assisi, from St. Anthony of Padua to Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, from Our Lady of Loreto to the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano — Italy is a land where heaven and earth meet.

Written by veteran pilgrimage guide Bret Thoman, who has led pilgrimages for over twenty years and lived in Italy for more than a decade, The Complete Pilgrim Guide to Italy combines historical depth, spiritual insight, and practical travel planning in one volume.

Inside you will discover:

• Detailed guides to every major pilgrimage site in Italy
• Dozens of lesser-known sanctuaries and hidden gems
• Historical and spiritual background for each saint and shrine
• Organized regional itineraries designed for practical travel
• Practical information to plan your visit with confidence

The book includes Italy’s spiritual giants:

Francis and Clare of Assisi
Benedict and Scholastica
Augustine and Ambrose
Anthony of Padua
Padre Pio
Rita of Cascia
Maria Goretti
Gemma Galgani
Luisa Piccarreta
Don Dolindo Ruotolo

But it also contains much more. Explore apparition sites, Eucharistic miracles, incorrupt saints, monastic foundations, and sacred mountains.

Whether you are planning a pilgrimage, organizing a group, or exploring from your armchair, this guide will help you enter more deeply into Italy’s rich spiritual heritage. Come not merely as a tourist — but as a pilgrim.