Depart North America today on board our overnight flight to Rome, Italy, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment.
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 guide. We will then be escorted to our motorcoach for our transfer to our accommodations. After check-in, we will have time to unpack and freshen up, followed by a brief orientation. After lunch on our own, we will make our way to the Vatican for the Scavi Tour, a guided walk through the grottos of St. Peter’s Basilica, culminating with a visit to the tomb of the Blessed Apostle Peter. Afterwards, we will “skip the line” into St. Peter’s Basilica, visiting the final resting place of Pope Benedict XVI, while next walking through the Holy Door of the Vatican Basilica. In the evening we will gather for our own private Low Mass at the FSSP parish in Rome, Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini. Following Mass, we will gather for a festive group welcome dinner (included), served with local cuisine and wine. Overnight in Rome. (D)
Following breakfast, we will “skip the line” and enter the Vatican Museums for our private group tour that will include the Raphael Rooms and the world-famous Sistine Chapel. Following, we will exit the Sistine Chapel to see St. Peter’s Basilica. We will visit the Treasury Museum, a rare glimpse of the Vatican’s collection of relics and vestments. Afterwards, we will exit together to make our way to the Borgo Pio for lunch on our own. Next, we will set out on a leisurely walking tour of Rome’s historic city centre. Highlights will include Piazza Navona and Sant’Agnese, Campo de’Fiori, the Pantheon (external view), Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (the tomb of Fra Angelico and part of the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena), as well as Baroque gems such as Sant’Ignazio, the Gesu, and the Chiesa Nuova. On the way we will stop at our favorite gelateria! Evening Mass at Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini followed by dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
After breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for a tour of Catholic Rome. We will begin at the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, where we will admire one of the oldest fourth-century mosaics in Rome. Next we will make our way to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Next we will cross the street to visit Santa Prassede. Afterwards, we will visit Sant’Alfonso, where the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is kept. Lunch. Next we will visit the relics of the passion of Christ at the Basilica of Santa Croce. After, a visit to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. We will make time to visit the Treasury Museum, where there are numerous items related to liturgical arts. Following, we will visit the Holy Stairs, known as the “Scala Santa.” Here, pilgrims walk up a marble staircase on their knees, praying at the top before the largest relic collection in the City of Rome. The staircase came from Pilate’s Praetorian Palace in Jerusalem, hallowed by the footsteps of Christ when he was condemned to death. Evening Mass at Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini, followed by dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast we will board our bus and make our way up the Aventine Hill. We will make time to visit the gift shop of Sant’Anselmo, with its interesting display of liturgical books. Afterwards, we will cross the street and look through the famous “Magistral Villa key hole” with its marvelous view of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. We will then walk down the street to visit one of Rome’s oldest churches, the mighty Basilica of Santa Sabina. Pending permission, we will request to see the room of Pope St. Pius V where he lived as a Dominican friar. We will then walk down the Aventine Hill to Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Lunch. The remainder of the day is scheduled free time for rest and exploration. In the evening we will meet for our usual Mass at Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast, we will visit the Catacombs of Priscilla. Seven popes were buried here along with many martyrs, including St. Philomena. After, we will board our bus for the Basilica of Santi Nereo ed Achilleo. Lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Basilica of San Clemente. We will admire the medieval ordering of the twelfth-century schola cantorum for the chanting of the Gospel and Epistle, as well as the twelfth-century mosaics. We will then descend to the lower levels of the church, traveling back in time to discover the original house church on the first underground level, revealing visible layers of two-thousand years of history. On the mid level below, we will see the second largest collection of early Medieval wall paintings. In the evening we will meet for our regular Mass at Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini. The evening is free for dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast, we will make our way to the FSSP parish in Rome for the 11:00 AM Solemn High Mass. Hear the choir and enjoy the splendid ensemble of sacred music. Afterwards, we will make our way to the popular neighborhood of Trastevere for a wonderful lunch on our own and a leisurely stroll. We will include stops at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere as well as the Basilica of Santa Cecilia. The rest of the day is free for rest and relaxation. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast, we will make our way to the area of the Capitoline Hill for our Ancient Rome tour. This tour will include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. In the Forum, from the outside, we will see Santa Maria Antiqua, the oldest Christian monument in the Roman Forum. The Colosseum was the largest stadium of the ancient world, completed in 80 AD under the Emperor Titus. Lunch on our own. In the afternoon, we will visit Santa Maria in Domnica, one of the best examples of the Carolingian Renaissance in Rome. The afternoon is scheduled free time to relax and explore the Eternal City. In the evening we will meet for our usual Mass at Santissima Trinitá dei Pellegrini. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Rome. (B)
Following breakfast, we will make our way to the beautiful gardens and three churches at Tre Fontane Abbey. First, we will visit the Church of St. Paul of Three Fountains, built over the site of the martyrdom of St. Paul. Next we will visit Santa Maria Scala Coeli. Lastly, we will visit the Abbey church, one of Rome’s oldest churches, built in 626. Afterwards, we will board our bus for the ride to the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori Le Mura where we will visit the tomb of St. Paul, the Treasury Museum, and the Cosmati Cloister. The museum includes an array of relics and vestments. We will make time to visit the gift shop. Lunch on our own. After, we will board our bus and make our way to the Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura to pray at the tomb of St. Lawrence. Afterwards, our bus will let us off at Ponte Sisto for our usual evening Mass at Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini followed by our final farewell dinner (included), served with local dishes and wine. Overnight in Rome. (B, D)
After an early breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the Rome International Airport (FCO) for our return flights home. (B)