Depart the USA today on board an overnight transatlantic jet flight to Rome, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins with our arrival in Rome. After collecting our luggage, we will be met by our pilgrimage guide and driver as we board a private motorcoach for our journey to Assisi. Upon our arrival, we will visit and celebrate Mass in the breathtaking Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels which houses the famous Portiuncula of St. Francis. It is here that Francis lived and founded his original community. Following Mass, we will venture up to the hilltop medieval city of Assisi where we will check into our hotel followed by dedicated free time for relaxing, shopping, and acclimating to the new time zone. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Assisi.
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 then visit and pray before the remains of St. Clare of Assisi. Afterwards, we will walk a short distance to Assisi’s church of St. Mary Major to pray before the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a devout young man who passed away in 2006, now on the road to sainthood. We will then enjoy a casual walk to the Basilica of St. Francis where we will visit together the vast upper and lower sections of the Basilica, while also visiting his tomb of St. Francis in the crypt. While here we will also make time to visit the gift shop, and located next to it, the popular museum of relics and other liturgical items. The afternoon is scheduled free time for lunch and to explore this enchanting Medieval city. We will close the evening 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 Rome. Upon our arrival in the Eternal City, we will participate in a privately guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. These Catacombs were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD. Following our guided tour, we will celebrate Mass in one of the chapels in the catacombs. Following Mass, we will make our way to Rome for lunch on our own across the street from the Basilica of St. Clemente. Afterwards, we will take a casual walk to see the Colosseum (exterior view). Then we will visit the Basilica of San Clemente, a fascinating place to experience the different levels of Rome, with layers of history going back over 2,000 years. As we descend below the present church, we will enter a 4th century church below which contains some of the finest medieval frescoes, dating from the 8th to 11th centuries. Going even further down, we will enter the 1st century area below with the ruins of a Mithraic temple and an ancient Roman aqueduct built underground. We conclude by checking into our guesthouse. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast, we will make our way to experience Sunday High Mass at the Roman parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, where Guido Reni’s famous painting of the Blessed Trinity is displayed in the sanctuary. Mass will be sung in Latin. Following Mass, lunch on our own. In the afternoon we will gather early for Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica where we will participate in the procession of the faithful with the Canons of the Basilica for the annual Lenten station day celebrated at the Basilica. The ceremony will include the public veneration of St. Veronica’s Veil that will be exposed from a balcony for a blessing. We will also walk through the Holy Door. Optional evening walk at dusk to see the splashing fountains of Rome in the evening light. Dinner on our own and overnight in Rome. (B)
After an early breakfast with the sisters, we will make our way to St. Peter’s Basilica for early morning Mass in the crypt of the Basilica. Next, we will enter to participate in the “Scavi Tour,” one of Rome’s best kept secrets, a rare visit to the Necropolis located underneath the Basilica. The Scavi tour culminates with the veneration of the bones of our first Pope, the Blessed Apostle Peter. Following Mass, free time and lunch on our own. Following lunch, we will make our way to central Rome for a casual walking tour of the historic city centre. We will include Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the Pantheon (exterior view), Sant’Ignazio, the Trevi Fountain, and visit the tomb of St. Philip Neri at the Chiesa Nuova. Afterwards, free time to attend the 5:30 pm Baroque catechesis at the Church of the Gesú. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast, we visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major for Mass. Here we will see the remains of the crib from Bethlehem, kept for centuries in a precious reliquary. Next we will visit Santa Prassede, where the pillar that Christ was scourged at is kept. Next we will walk down the street to see the church of Sant’Alfonso, where we will venerate the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Next we will continue walking to the Basilica of Santa Croce where we will pray before the relics of the Passion of Christ. Following this, we will walk to the Scala Santa where for centuries pilgrims ascend the holy staircase that Christ walked upon at the Praetorian Palace in Jerusalem. Following lunch on our own, we will visit St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome. We will end the day with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to venerate the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle. Free time to visit the gift shop. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After an early breakfast, we will set out for St. Peter’s Square to get the best possible seats for the Wednesday Papal Audience. This is your chance to see the Pope. Bring your religious souvenirs to be blessed by him. After the audience, we will have free time for lunch on our own with time and to shop or return to our accommodations to rest. In the afternoon, we will meet for a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Be prepared to see some of the world’s greatest works of visual art. In the evening, we will meet for a final farewell dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, served with local cuisine and local wine. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)
After an early breakfast and guesthouse check-out, we will transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)