This is a land-only pilgrimage meaning airfare is not included. Most flights from the USA will depart late on October 5, and arrive on October 6. When arranging flights, plan to fly into Rome (FCO) no later than the afternoon on October 6. Please see the designated arrival and departure times posted in the "Flight Information" section of this website. Some prefer to fly in a day or two early. If you need extra nights at the guesthouse, you can book directly with them. Upon your arrival at the Rome airport (FCO), you’ll go through passport control, gather your luggage, and transfer to our guesthouse to check-in and rest. The first activity as a group will be a festive welcome dinner (included) on October 6. Overnight in Rome. (D)

We prayerfully start our pilgrimage with Mass in the guesthouse chapel followed by a brief orientation meeting and breakfast. After breakfast, we 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 Scavi 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. As 2025 is a Jubilee Holy Year, we will start by walking through the Holy Door, a special privilege available only every 25 years. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring this magnificent basilica. Spend time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament ~ venerate the tombs of Ss. John Paul II and John XXIII ~ marvel at Bernini’s Baldacchino ~ contemplate the divine with Michelangelo’s Pieta ~ climb the 500+ stairs to the top of the Dome (optional) ~ and countless other opportunities to explore the sacred! Dinner on your 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. After the audience, we return back to our guesthouse for Mass in the guesthouse chapel. Following Mass, we make our way to central Rome for lunch in Piazza Navona 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, the Caravaggios at St. Louis of the French, St. Mary above Minerva, and the Gesú, culminating in free time for dinner on our own and the best gelato in Rome! Overnight in Rome. (B)

After breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for a tour of Catholic Rome with stops at the major religious sites of the city. We first celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to Our Lady. We then make our way to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the official Cathedral of the Pope. Amongst the many holy relics in the archbasilica, special attention is given to the craniums of Ss. Peter & Paul. Afterwards, we will cross the street for the blessed opportunity to ascend the Holy Steps, the very steps that Christ ascended to meet with Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. Following lunch, we will make our way to the basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem to venerate some of the holiest relics in Rome. Some include fragments of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, and Doubting Thomas' finger. We conclude our day at the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. After our transfer back to Vatican City, enjoy a free evening and 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 St. Francis’ Portiuncula. It is here that St. Francis built his 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 dining, shopping, and wandering the charming streets of the city. We close the evening with a spectacular winery tour, tasting, and 4-course Umbrian dinner (included) at one of our favorite local wineries. Overnight in Assisi. (B, D)

We 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 to the vast upper and lower sections of the Basilica of St. Francis.  While here, we have the blessed opportunity to visit and pray at the tomb of St. Francis. The afternoon is scheduled free time to shop and explore the historical city before gathering for our private motorcoach transfer back to Rome. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Following breakfast, we will make our way to St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in Sunday Mass at the altar of the chair of Peter. Following Mass, pilgrims are encouraged to walk outside to St. Peter’s Square and pray the Angelus with the Pope. The afternoon is scheduled free time to offer pilgrims the opportunity to rest and explore the Eternal City. In your free time, we encourage you to visit some of the historical sites in Rome such as Castel Sant’Angelo, the Colosseum & Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Borghese Gallery, or the Monument to Victor Immanuel II. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Rome. (B)

Our final full day in Rome will be spent by taking a privately guided tour of the Vatican Museums, one of the largest and greatest museums in the world. Part of our tour will include the magnificent Sistine Chapel, where conclaves are historically held to elect new popes. After our tour, pilgrims are free to complete any last-minute shopping, relax, and pack for the return journey home. We gather one final time for a festive farewell dinner (included) at one of our favorite restaurants served with local wine. Final overnight in Rome. (B, D)

Our last group activity is dinner on October 13. We have the guesthouse rooms for the night of October 13 so you can schedule your flight out of Rome (FCO) for anytime on October 14. The guesthouse can assist in ordering a taxi to the airport from the guesthouse. If you’d prefer a private driver, let us know and we will arrange for our private driver to pick you up at the guesthouse. (B)