Italy – The Eternal City

Upon arriving in Rome, we make our way to our hotel to settle in after a long journey. Later, we gather for a special Welcome Dinner to celebrate the beginning of our shared pilgrimage.

Our first full day in Rome begins with a visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where we'll explore its stunning architecture and learn about its significance as the Pope's cathedral. Next, we have the opportunity to ascend the nearby Holy Stairs, believed to be the very steps Jesus Christ climbed through the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on his way to trial during his Passion in Jerusalem, which offer a moment of reflection and prayer. Continue your journey to the Basilica of San Clemente, where you can marvel at the layered history of its ancient church, underground ruins, and mosaics.

We first visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major, renowned for its beautiful mosaics and spiritual significance as one of Rome’s major churches. More recently, the Basilica became the final resting place of the late Pope Francis, who had a particular fondness for the church. Later, we will cross the street to explore the nearby Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, known for its stunning early Christian art and historic mosaics. With some time for lunch, we spend our afternoon touring the Colosseum and Forum. Two monuments that stood at the heart of ancient Rome’s political and social activity for centuries.

Taking a brief pause from our exploration of Rome, our group travels south to the nearby town of Anzio. Here, in 1944, the Allies conducted a massive amphibious invasion that ultimately led to the liberation of Rome. Our group will experience a tour of the landing beaches and be given time to pay our respects to the many American and allied soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom.

Later, we will continue to the even smaller town of Nettuno to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces and Saint Maria Goretti. Here we will venerate the remains of St. Maria Goretti and learn about her tragic yet heartwarming story of forgiveness.

Our morning is spent exploring the history of the church in Rome, starting with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. One of Rome's four major basilicas, this magnificent structure is famous for containing the tomb of St. Paul as well as portraits of each of the 266 Pontiffs to sit the throne of St. Peter. We later continue to the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, located along the Appian Way, to learn even more about the earliest Pontiffs and the faithful they served.

Walking the Appian Way toward the Forum, we soon encounter the Museum of the Wall. This museum explains the significance of the Aurelian Walls that guarded Rome for centuries. We will even have the chance to stand atop a section of the original walls and look "down" on the city below.

Our day begins with a visit to the Basilica of St. Sabina of the Aventine. This fifth-century basilica serves as the final destination of the Papal Ash Wednesday procession through the streets of Rome. We then cross the famous Tiber River into Trastavere, one of Rome's most celebrated neighborhoods. Here we explore the Basilica of St. Crisogono, which contains a wealth of early Christian art and relics.

Our journey then takes us north across the Tiber toward the Piazza Navona. A favorite for locals and tourists alike, the Piazza offers a plentiful restaurants, tranquil scenes, and people watching opportunities! It is also in a very central location that makes visits to other popular sites in Rome an easy stretch.

Our morning begins with a visit to the world famous Vatican Museums. Built in 1506, the Museums are now home to many of the Western world's most cherished works of art - perhaps none more so than Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, a sight which visitors are treated to just before exiting the Museums.

The group will later tour St. Peter's Basilica. Built upon the site of St. Peter's martyrdom in 64 AD, the basilica serves as the very center of the Catholic faith and the seat of the Holy Father himself.

We will also enjoy ample time to explore the rest of the Vatican grounds, a city within a city, at our own individual pace before transferring back to our hotel to close the day.

The last day of our pilgrimage will begin with a truly unique experience as we gather in St. Peter's Square for a General Audience with Holy Father! After receiving his blessings, we have the remainder of the morning and afternoon to explore the Vatican and Rome at our own individual pace. This evening, we reconvene to celebrate the end of our pilgrimage with a special Farewell Dinner!

Today, we bid farewell to our fellow pilgrims and to the Eternal City as we begin our long journeys home.

After saying our farewells to our fellow pilgrims returning home today, we board our private transport to Assisi. On our roughly two hour long drive we are treated to breathtaking views of first the Latium and then Umbrian countryside.

Before ascending the hill to the town of Assisi, we first stop at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels to see the famous Porziuncola. Meaning "small portion of land," the Porziuncola is the Benedictine chapel Saint Francis restored when he was a young man, kept protected within the basilica itself. We close the day a bit early with some time to explore Assisi in twilight.

Our day begins with a tour of Assisi's two most iconic structures, the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Clare. The two were spiritual kindred spirits and co-founders of the Franciscan movement in the 13th century. Francis, a wealthy nobleman who renounced his family's wealth for a life of poverty and service to God and creation, inspired Clare, a noblewoman who fled her family to live a life of radical poverty and prayer, founding the Order of Saint Clare (the Poor Clares).

Later, we will walk to the nearby Convent of San Damiano where St. Francis first heard the call to "Rebuild my House" and where St. Clare later founded her

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Assisi and head to the town of Orvieto. In 1263 in nearby Bolsena, a Eucharistic Miracle occurred when a consecrated Host began to bleed onto the Corporal cloth the host and chalice were resting on. The relic is kept within Orvieto's Cathedral and has thus made the quaint medieval town a major site of pilgrimage for many centuries. Along with this famous relic, Orvieto is also famous for its Orvieto Classico wines! Later, we continue to Rome to settle into our hotel and prepare for our departure the following morning.

Today, we bid a final farewell to our fellow pilgrims as we begin the long journey home.