Rome & Assisi Discernment Pilgrimage

Gather together in Houston to meet the trip leaders and other participants by 4pm
Dinner
Orientation
Travel Mass

Depart from IAH to fly to Rome

Welcome to Rome, also known as “The Eternal City”. Upon landing at Rome airport, claim your baggage and proceed to the arrival hall, where your tour guide and/or driver will greet you. Following check-in at the hotel, enjoy some free time to unpack, relax, or explore Rome on your own. You will depart together for Mass, and following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter’s Square for the Rosary (optional).

After breakfast at your hotel, your sightseeing day in Rome begins. To start the day, we will attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, the Holy Father (pending the papal schedule). Afterward, we will proceed on a tour of Santa Maria in Trastevere. After lunch, you will have free time on your own to explore the area. Dinner on your own before overnight at your guesthouse.

After breakfast, you will proceed on a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. After lunch, you will have free time on your own to explore the area. Dinner on your own before overnight at your guesthouse.

Full day guided tour including visit Roman Martyrs (St. Bartholmew, St. Cecilia, catacombs) entrance fee Catacombs .
After breakfast, we will proceed on a full-day tour of sites related to the Roman Martyrs. We will begin with the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all’Isola Tiberina, followed by Santa Cecelia in Trastevere. After lunch, we will proceed to the Catacombs for Mass (pending availability). Dinner on your own before overnight at your guesthouse.

After Breakfast, you will visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, and the home of the relics of Sts. Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This Basilica is where the Pope is installed and officiates as the Bishop of Rome. Next, we will cross the street to visit the Holy Staircase. Tradition states that this staircase is the same one that stood in Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem during the time of Christ. It is believed that St. Helen brought this staircase to Rome in the 4th Century. If time permits, you may climb the steps on your knees, while meditating on Christ’s agonizing Passion. We will then proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. After lunch, you will have free time before dinner at your guesthouse and overnight.

After breakfast, we will have a tour of some of the famous churches of Rome, including Santa Monica degli Agostiniani, the Chiesa del Gesu, and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. After lunch, you will have free time before dinner at your guesthouse and overnight.

After breakfast, we will head to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the burial place of Saint Paul the Apostle. Stroll through Villa Borghese, the third-largest public park in Rome, which features many buildings, museums, and attractions. The landscapes and gardens within the park are similar to those found in an English manor. The rest of your day is free to explore. Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse

After breakfast, we will proceed on a day trip to visit Nettuno, the hometown of St. Maria Goretti. While there we will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti, which houses her mortal remains. After lunch we will visit other sites related to St. Maria before returning to Rome for dinner on your own before overnight at your guesthouse.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Assisi. As you visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry, in the early 13th-century. You will start your tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit his tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint’s possessions. Visit the Santuario Della Spogliazione where you can pray at the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis. Carlo is the first millennial to have been canonized a Saint. He had a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist and died from leukemia when he was only 15 years old. Continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and end with a tour of the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Return to the guesthouse for dinner and overnight.

After Breakfast, you will board the bus, which will take you outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of his life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure is the “Porziuncola”, which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second is the “Capella del Transito”, which is the place of St. Francis’ death. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. After lunch, you will have free time to explore the city. We will have a farewell dinner before overnight at your guesthouse.

After breakfast, we will head to the airport for your departure flights home.