Depart today on board your 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.
Upon arrival at the Rome International Airport (FCO), we will collect our luggage at baggage claim and continue to the arrivals hall to meet our pilgrimage director. We will then be escorted to our deluxe motorcoach for our hotel transfer to the city. After arriving at our guesthouse accommodations, we will have time to unpack and freshen up, followed by a brief orientation. We will then begin our Jubilee pilgrimage with a welcome Mass in the guesthouse chapel. Following lunch 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 the Savi tour, a privately guided tour of the Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica. The Scavi tour culminates with the veneration of the bones of our first Pope, St. Peter. Following the Scavi tour, pilgrims are free to explore and shop before gathering in the evening for a festive group welcome dinner, served with local wine. Overnight in Rome. (D)
This morning after breakfast we will embark on a guided tour of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Here we will travel back in time as we enter the Colosseum, the largest stadium of the ancient world, completed in 80 AD. We will see where gladiators fought and early Christian martyrs perished, possibly even St. Ignatius of Antioch who was martyred in Rome during the reign of the Emperor Trajan. In the Roman Forum we will admire the ruins of the ancient capital, once a marketplace, for centuries the center of the ancient Empire, the site of triumphal processions, the speeches of Cicero, elections, and government rulings. Lunch. In the afternoon we will make a stop at the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, Rome’s oldest catacombs, located under a massive basilica originally built during the reign of Constantine. Here we will tour the catacombs and hear the story of St. Sebastian, one of Rome’s most inspiring early Christian martyrs. We will also have Mass at this holy place with time to visit the gift shop. Visit to the Quo Vadis church (if time permits). On our bus ride back to Rome, a brief stop at the Basilica of San Lorenzo to see the tomb of St. Lawrence, an early Christian martyr. Dinner on our own and overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast we will board our bus for a tour of Catholic Rome with stops at the major basilicas of the city. We will first celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady. Across the street we will visit Santa Prassede and see the pillar that Christ was scourged on in Jerusalem. Just down the street we will visit Sant’Alfonso and see the original miraculous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We will then walk to the Basilica of Santa Croce to visit the relics of the Passion of Christ. Next we will make our way to the Scala Sancta, the very staircase that Christ ascended to meet with Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. Pilgrims traditionally walk up the stairs on their knees (optional). Next we will have lunch on our own in the neighborhood. Afterwards, we will visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the official Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Amongst the many holy relics here, special attention is given to the mensa from the table used at the Last Supper. Next, we will board our bus and drive to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we will visit the tomb of St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. After our transfer back to our accommodations, we will enjoy a relaxed evening with dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
We will start the morning by celebrating Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the altar of the Chair. As 2025 is a Jubilee Holy Year, we will start by walking through the Holy Door, a special privilege available only every 25 years. After Mass, pilgrims are encouraged to walk outside to St. Peter’s Square and pray the Angelus with the Pope at 12 PM. Following lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is open for free time. Pilgrims are welcome to re-enter the breathtaking St. Peter’s Basilica, if they wish, and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and praying inside this magnificent basilica. Spend time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, venerate the tombs of greatly revered and saintly Pontiffs such as Ss. Pius X, John Paul II, and John XXIII. Marvel at Bernini’s Baldacchino. Contemplate the divine with Michelangelo’s Pieta. Or climb the 333+ stairs to the top of the dome, designed by Michelangelo (optional and additional cost). Dinner on your own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After an early breakfast, we will 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, the church rebuilt by St. Francis. Following Mass, we will venture up to the enchanting hilltop medieval city of Assisi where we will check into our hotel. Lunch followed by dedicated free time for strolling the cobbled streets, sightseeing, shopping, and wandering through beautiful churches and charming boutiques. We close the evening with a spectacular winery tour, tasting, and 4-course Umbrian dinner at one of our favorite local wineries. Overnight in Assisi. (B, D)
We will start the morning with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare. 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 incorrupt body of St. Clare. Just around the corner, we will pray in front of the relics of Bl. Carlo Acutis, an Italian youth on the road to sainthood, who is best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles on a website which he created. We will conclude the morning with a visit to the vast upper and lower sections of the Basilica of St. Francis. While here, we will celebrate Mass and have the blessed opportunity to pray at the tomb of St. Francis. The afternoon is scheduled free time to shop and explore the historic city before gathering for our private transfer back to Rome. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After an early breakfast with the sisters, we leave for St. Peter's Square to get front row seats for the Wednesday Papal Audience. This is your chance to see the Pope and to have your religious objects blessed. After the audience, we will return back to our guesthouse for Mass in the 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 (exterior view), the Caravaggio paintings at St. Louis of the French, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the Gesú, the Trevi Fountain, and the Church of the Holy Apostles. We will conclude with free time for dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast and morning Mass in the chapel of our guesthouse, we will set out for our final full day in Rome. This will include a privately guided tour of the Vatican Museums. Part of our tour will include the magnificent Sistine Chapel, where conclaves are historically held to elect new popes. Following our tour, enjoy lunch on the Borgo Pio on our own, in the neighborhood of the Vatican. The rest of the day is intentionally planned as free time to give pilgrims the opportunity to pray, rest, relax, or visit sites that may be near and dear to their hearts. We will meet in the evening for our final farewell dinner, served with local wine. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)
After an early breakfast and check-out from our guesthouse, we will transfer to the airport for our flights home. (B)