A Historic Day of Encounter

We begin our morning with Holy Mass in the Basilica of Saint Francis. Following Mass, a Franciscan friar will personally escort us to venerate the bones of Saint Francis—an extraordinary moment in history, as this marks the first time his relics will be exposed for public veneration in the 800 years since his death.

After this profound encounter, we enjoy lunch overlooking the Basilica of Saint Francis. In the afternoon, we visit the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Assisi’s newest saint, whose youthful holiness continues to inspire pilgrims from around the world. If the Bishop of Assisi is available, our group will also have the opportunity to meet with him.

We then continue to the Basilica of Saint Clare to pray before her tomb and the San Damiano Cross, the very cross that spoke to Francis. Our day concludes with dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in Assisi.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Saint Angela of Foligno and Arrival at the Domus Santa Marta

We begin our day with Holy Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli, the great basilica built over the Porziuncola, so closely linked to the life and mission of Saint Francis. After Mass, we depart for Foligno, where we will “meet” Saint Angela of Foligno—a 13th-century laywoman, wife and mother who, after a profound conversion, became a Franciscan tertiary and one of the great mystics of the Church. Her writings, born from deep experiences of repentance and union with God, have guided souls for centuries.

From Foligno, we continue to nearby Montefalco to visit a renowned winery known for its award-winning Sagrantino wine. Here we learn about this noble Umbrian wine and enjoy a tasting. A short drive then brings us to a beloved family-run restaurant, known for its unique local dishes and warm hospitality, where we share lunch together.

In the afternoon, we travel to Rome and enter Vatican City, checking into the Domus Santa Marta in time for dinner. This evening, we settle into our simple but comfortable rooms inside the Vatican walls, just a short walk from Saint Peter’s Basilica, as our pilgrim path turns toward the tombs of the Apostles.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

From the Domus Santa Marta to the Paths of Saint Francis in Rome

We begin this special day with Holy Mass in the Domus Santa Marta, our residence inside the Vatican walls. After Mass, we walk together from within Vatican City to St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV. Standing among pilgrims from around the world, we receive the Holy Father’s apostolic blessing — a highlight of our time in Rome.

Following the Audience, we return to the Domus Santa Marta for lunch.

In the afternoon, we travel to Trastevere, one of Rome’s oldest and most atmospheric districts, known for its winding medieval lanes and deep Christian history. Here we visit San Francesco a Ripa, the church associated with Saint Francis during his early visits to Rome. We will see the simple cell where he stayed in 1209, when he came to seek approval of his way of life from Pope Innocent III — a humble, preserved space that still radiates the spirit of his simplicity and trust in God.

Inside this cell, we also view the remarkable altar that houses hidden relics associated with the Medici family, a unique devotional feature rarely encountered by visitors. The church also features Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s celebrated sculpture, The Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, often regarded as one of his final masterpieces.

We end the day with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Trastevere, where we enjoy the warm hospitality and rich flavors of this beloved Roman neighborhood.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Honoring Saint Joseph in the Heart of Rome

We begin this special feast day at the Altar of Saint Joseph in Saint Peter’s Basilica, where we attend Holy Mass in honor of the Patron of the Universal Church and fathers. After Mass, we travel to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to venerate the tomb of Pope Francis and spend time in prayer before the ancient image of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romani, so deeply loved by recent popes.

We then continue to the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome and “mother and head” of all the churches in the city and in the world. Here we are reminded of the deep continuity of the Church through the ages, from Peter to our own time.

After returning to the Domus Santa Marta for lunch, we prepare to join the local faithful near the Vatican for the Procession of Saint Joseph and to take part in the Saint Joseph Festival, Italian-style — a lively expression of devotion, gratitude, and family joy. We end this feast day with dinner in the Domus Santa Marta, reflecting on Saint Joseph’s quiet strength and his protection over our pilgrim path.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Where Popes Rest and Mary Speaks to the Heart

We begin the morning with Holy Mass in the Domus Santa Marta before departing for Castel Gandolfo, the historic summer residence of the popes. Here we enjoy a private tour of the Apostolic Palace and its peaceful gardens overlooking Lake Albano — a rare opportunity to step inside the quiet retreat where many popes prayed, wrote, and rested.

After lunch in Castel Gandolfo, we travel to Genazzano to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel, a beloved Augustinian devotion dating back to the 15th century. According to tradition, the miraculous icon mysteriously appeared in the small church at Genazzano in 1467, resting lightly on an unfinished wall that, miraculously, supported it. For centuries, Augustinian friars have safeguarded this image, invoking Mary under this title as a guide for discernment, wisdom, and maternal protection.

This shrine holds special significance for Pope Leo XIV, as Genazzano was the destination of his first trip outside of Rome after his election — a gesture of filial devotion to Our Lady, entrusting his pontificate to her counsel and care.

We return to the Domus Santa Marta for dinner and rest, carrying with us the peace of Castel Gandolfo and the quiet strength of Mary, Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

A Day of Encounter with the Pillars of the Church

We begin our morning with Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica, praying at the very heart of the Catholic faith. After Mass, we descend beneath the basilica for the Scavi Tour, where we will stand before the bones of Saint Peter, the fisherman chosen by Christ to be the Rock of the Church. This powerful encounter brings us to the foundations of the Christian faith in a tangible and unforgettable way.

From the tomb of Peter, we travel across the city to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Here, if he is available, we will meet Cardinal James Harvey, who has long welcomed our pilgrim groups with warmth and insight.

We return to the Domus Santa Marta for lunch.

The afternoon is reserved for meetings inside the Vatican, offering a unique opportunity to engage more deeply with the life and work of the Holy See.

Our pilgrim path concludes with a final dinner in the Domus Santa Marta, a time to share reflections, gratitude, and the graces received as we walked from the bones of Saint Francis to the tombs of Peter and Paul.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

Arrivederci a Roma...

After attending Sunday Mass at 7:00 a.m. in Saint Peter’s Basilica, we gather our luggage and depart for the airport for our return flights home. (NOTE: If you plan to attend Sunday Mass at 7:00 am, your flight home must be booked after 11:00 am)

As we leave Vatican City and begin our journey back, we carry with us the grace of these days — from standing before the bones of Saint Francis in Assisi to praying at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome. May the encounters, conversations, and moments of quiet prayer along this pilgrim path continue to unfold in our hearts long after we return home.

Important Departure Notes:

• The first transfer to the airport departs the Vatican at 7:00 a.m., allowing the required three hours before a 10:00 a.m. flight. This transfer is for Pilgrims not attending the 7:00 a.m. Mass.
  

• Pilgrims who wish to attend the 7:00 a.m. Sunday Mass: Book flights no earlier than 11:00 a.m.
  
  

Breakfast included