Depart today on board our overnight transatlantic jet flight to Rome (FCO), arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.
Our pilgrimage begins with our arrival in Rome. After collecting our luggage, we will be met by our pilgrimage guide and driver as we board our private motorcoach for our journey to Assisi. Upon our arrival in the hills of Umbria, we will visit and celebrate our welcome Mass in the breathtaking Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels which houses the “Portiuncula” chapel of St. Francis. It is here that St. Francis made his home, built his community, and died. Following Mass, we will enjoy lunch on our own and venture up to the hilltop medieval city of Assisi where we will check into our hotel. Free time to unpack, rest, and acclimate to the time change. Group welcome dinner (included) served with local wine. Overnight in Assisi. (D)
We will start the morning with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare where we will celebrate Mass. While here, we will have time to pray at the foot of the San Damiano Crucifix, the very crucifix that God used to speak to Francis instructing him to “Rebuild My Church.” We will conclude our visit with prayer before the incorruptible body of St. Clare of Assisi. Afterwards, we will make our way up the hill a short distance to visit the Cathedral to see the baptismal font where St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized. Afterwards, we will walk down the hill to see the Chiesa Nuova, where St. Francis was born and lived in his youth. Next we will walk down to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the small church that houses the mortal remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial who will be canonized a saint. Lunch on our own. In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of St. Francis to see its multiple levels and pray before the tomb of St. Francis, a place of miracles. We reconvene in the evening to close the day with a spectacular winery tour, tasting, and 4-course Umbrian dinner at one of our favorite local wineries (included). Overnight in Assisi. (B, D)
Following an early breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and say goodbye to the charming hillside city of Assisi. We will board our motorcoach destined for the Eternal City! Upon our arrival in Rome, we will participate in a privately guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. The Catacombs were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD. Following our guided tour, we will celebrate Sunday Mass in one of the chapels in the Catacombs. Next we will board our bus for Rome, with lunch on our own across the street from the Basilica of St. Clement. Afterwards, we will tour the Basilica and its excavations. Here, like nowhere else, visitors can see and experience the different levels of 2,000+ years of Rome's past. Above the excavations is the current 12th century Basilica, with its magnificent mosaic, early Renaissance frescoes, 6th century marble choir from the previous church, and more! We conclude the afternoon by checking into our guesthouse. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast we will board our bus for a tour of Catholic Rome with stops at the major religious sites of the city. We will first celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady. Here we will see the relics of the crib from Bethlehem. We will then cross the street to visit Santa Prassede, where the pillar is kept that Christ was scourged on. Next we will walk to Sant’Alfonso in order to view the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Then we will walk to Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to visit the sacred relics of the Passion of Christ. Afterwards we will enjoy lunch on our own in the neighborhood of St. John Lateran. Afterwards, we will visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Following, we will cross the street and visit the Scala Santa, where the staircase that Christ walked atop while visiting Pilate at the Praetorian Palace in Jerusalem is kept. After, we will board our bus for the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we will pray before the tomb of St. Paul. Following this, we will transfer back to our accommodations for dinner on our own and free time. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following Mass and breakfast in the guesthouse, we will make our way to the side entrance of the Vatican where the Swiss Guard will permit us to enter as we participate in a privately guided tour of the Necropolis underneath the Basilica. The Scavi tour culminates with the veneration of the bones of our first Pope, St. Peter. The tour concludes in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica and affords us the prime opportunity to “skip the line” to enter the main Basilica above. Spend the remainder of the morning and afternoon exploring this magnificent church. Pray with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, venerate the tomb of St. John Paul II, marvel at Bernini’s baldacchino, contemplate the divine with Michelangelo’s Pieta, with countless other opportunities to explore the sacred! Enjoy a free afternoon and evening for souvenir shopping with dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following Mass, we will spend our morning by taking a privately guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. On this special tour we will see some of the most significant works of art on the European continent. The tour will end in St. Peter’s Basilica, giving pilgrims the chance to walk through the Holy Door once again, if they wish. The rest of the day is intentionally planned free time to give pilgrims the opportunity to visit sites that we did not visit as a group. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After an early breakfast with the sisters, we depart for St. Peter's Square to get the best seats for the Wednesday Papal Audience. Bring your religious objects to be blessed! Pray with Catholics from around the world, see the Pope, and receive his Apostolic Blessing. After the audience, we will return back to our guesthouse for Mass in the guesthouse chapel. Following Mass, we make our way to central Rome for lunch and a leisurely walking tour of the historic city center. During our afternoon stroll, we will visit some of the most beloved sites of Rome, including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (external view only), the Caravaggios at San Luigi, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and the Gesú. We conclude our day and this amazing pilgrimage with a festive farewell dinner (included), served with local wine. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)
Breakfast, guesthouse check-out, and transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)