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, we will proceed to the Catacombs for Mass (pending availability). We then continue to the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all’Isola Tiberina for a visit. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. Following this visit, proceed to Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest Marian churches in Rome. After visit 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.

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. 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 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 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 attend the Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square (new official date). After lunch, enjoy free time. In the late afternoon, proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to participate in the celebration of the Second Vespers at 5:30 PM, including the traditional “Nevicata” of white petals (final program of the day not yet available – time subject to final confirmation). After the celebration, transfer to Assisi using a dedicated bus with a second driver. Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse in Assisi.

After breakfast, board the bus to reach the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, where you will participate in the GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting and the encounter with Pope Leone XIV. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the Basilica, depending on accessibility. Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse in Assisi.

After breakfast, visit the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of St. Clare, and the Santuario della Spogliazione, where St. Carlo Acutis is buried. Farewell dinner before overnight at your guesthouse.

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