The Fortino Family (Michael, Jaclyn, Nicolas and Lucas) brought the Orange County Catholic along on a Thanksgiving pilgrimage to Italy and France. Their journey took them through Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice and Paris, where they visited 31 churches, walked through four Holy Doors and honored countless saints and relics. They participated at Mass at the Vatican, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and Notre-Dame Cathedral, stood just feet from Pope Leo as he passed by and watched the boys climb both St. Peter’s Basilica and the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta) on their knees. Pictured are moments from their pilgrimage, including Mass at the Vatican, their encounter with Pope Leo and their visit to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
— The Fortino Family attends St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia