Rome & S. Italy
Discover the profound Catholic heritage, inspiring saints, and breathtaking sacred sites of Rome and Southern Italy on this unforgettable pilgrimage. From the heart of the Church at St. Peter’s Basilica and the ancient catacombs of Rome to the miraculous shrines of Lanciano, Loreto, and Pompeii, you will walk in the footsteps of saints who shaped the faith across the centuries. Throughout this journey, you’ll venerate remarkable holy men and women—including St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Monica, St. Philip Neri, St. Maria Goretti, St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, St. Gerard Majella, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Philomena, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph of Cupertino, St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and St. Matthew the Apostle. Along the way, you’ll experience majestic basilicas, Eucharistic miracles, ancient martyrdom sites, and peaceful sanctuaries set among Italy’s most beautiful landscapes. Join us for a deeply enriching journey that celebrates the living tradition, beauty, and holiness of the Catholic Church in the Eternal City and the sacred lands of Southern Italy.
Visit: St. Catherine of Siena, St. Jerome, St. Peter, St. Thomas’ finger, St. John Paul II, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier's arm, St. Paul, St. Philip Neri, Bl. Fra Angelico, St. Monica, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. John Berchmans, Ven. Antonietta Meo, St Maria Goretti, St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, St. Philomena, St. Januarius, St. Bartolo Longo, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Matthew, St. Gerard Majella, St. Padre Pio, St. Joseph of Cupertino, St. Clare, St. Francis, St. Carlo Acutis, Colosseum, Catacombs, Scala Sancta, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Monte Cassino, Cave of St Michael (Mont Saint Angelo), Eucharistic Miracles of Lanciano and Orvieto, and the Holy House
Your trip includes
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Round-trip airfare from Dulles International Airport
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Coach transportation from your parish to Dulles (IAD) and back.
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All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
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Hotel accomodations:
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3 nights: Rome, Italy
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2 nights: South of Naples, Italy
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1 night: San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
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1 night: Loreto area, Italy
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2 nights: Assisi, Italy
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1 night: Rome, Italy
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Single supplements, while available
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Transfers as per itinerary
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Breakfast and dinner daily
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Wine and mineral water with dinners
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Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
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Tour escort throughout
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Assistance of professional local Catholic guide(s) as appropriate
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Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
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Mass daily and spiritual activities
Not included:
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Lunches and beverages not mentioned
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Tips to your guide & driver.
Itinerary
Dulles International Airport
Day 1
After a pilgrimage Mass at your parish, transfer by coach bus to Dulles International Airport to catch an evening flight for a morning arrival in Rome.
Day 2
After arriving in Rome in the mid-morning, your pilgrimage begins at the heart of the Church with a visit to St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Pope and the oldest basilica in the West. Nearby, you will climb—or prayerfully ascend on your knees—the Scala Sancta, the Holy Stairs believed to be those Jesus walked during His Passion. You then continue to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, home to some of Christianity’s most precious relics of the True Cross and the Passion, brought to Rome by St. Helena in the fourth century.
Your afternoon concludes with a visit to the striking Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio, known as the “Little Gothic Church,” which houses the unique Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory—a thought-provoking collection of testimonies to the Church’s teaching on mercy, purification, and the communion of saints. After this full and meaningful first day in the Eternal City, you enjoy dinner together and settle in for your first overnight stay in Rome.
Basilica of St. John Lateran
The Colosseum
Day 3
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience—a highlight of any pilgrimage to Rome. Joining pilgrims from around the world, you’ll experience the joy and energy of gathering with the universal Church as the Holy Father offers his apostolic blessing and spiritual reflections. Following this uplifting encounter, we depart for the area surrounding the Colosseum, where you will enjoy lunch before beginning a guided tour of Rome’s most iconic ancient monument, reflecting on the memory of early Christian martyrs and the dramatic history of the Roman Empire.
Our afternoon continues with visits to three of Rome’s most treasured churches, each rich in sacred history. At the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, you will see the magnificent 6th-century mosaic dedicated to the twin physician-martyrs Sts. Cosmas and Damian, whose relics are venerated beneath the altar. We then walk to the Chiesa del Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuits and the resting place of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus; it also houses the arm reliquary of St. Francis Xavier. The day concludes at the beautiful Church of Sant’Ignazio, where the tomb of Jesuit saint and missionary St. John Berchmans is honored. After a full day immersed in the Church’s history and the lives of her saints, we gather for dinner at a nearby restaurant to relax and reflect on the blessings of the day.
Day 4
We begin with an early and unforgettable grace: 7:30am Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church and the burial place of St. Peter the Apostle. After Mass, you will have free time to explore St. Peter’s—whether praying at the tombs of past popes, visiting side chapels, climbing the dome, or simply soaking in the beauty of this sacred place. Pilgrims are on their own for lunch during this break before we gather again at 12:30pm to continue our journey through Rome’s most treasured holy sites.
In the afternoon, we visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, one of the earliest Christian cemeteries and the resting place of numerous martyrs and early popes, including Pope St. Callixtus I and the young martyr St. Cecilia. From there, we proceed to the majestic Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle, whose missionary zeal shaped the early Church. Our final stop is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Mother and home to major relics, including fragments of the Holy Crib of Bethlehem. The day concludes filled with the beauty, history, and holiness of the saints who built the foundations of our faith.
St. Peter's Basilica
Basilica of Monte Cassino
Day 5
After an early morning departure from Rome, we begin our day in Nettuno at the Basilica of Our Lady of Graces and St. Maria Goretti, where the young martyr St. Maria Goretti is buried. Here, you’ll have time to kneel before her reliquary and reflect on her heroic witness of purity, forgiveness, and trust in God. The basilica’s peaceful atmosphere and devotional artwork invite pilgrims into a moment of deep prayer, setting a beautiful spiritual tone for the journey ahead.
We then continue south to the historic Abbey of Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedict in the 6th century and long regarded as the birthplace of Western monasticism. Within the abbey’s majestic basilica, you will visit the crypt where St. Benedict and his twin sister St. Scholastica are traditionally buried together—a profound reminder of their shared holiness and spiritual legacy. As you explore the grounds, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the valley below while walking in the very place where the Rule of St. Benedict was written and lived.
In the afternoon, our pilgrimage leads us to Mugnano del Cardinale to visit the Santuario di Santa Filomena, where the relics of St. Philomena are enshrined. This humble yet beloved sanctuary has been the site of countless favors and healings, and its chapel—filled with ex-votos and testimonies—speaks to the enduring devotion of the faithful. After time for prayer, we travel south of Naples, where we will check into our hotel. The day concludes with a shared dinner, offering an opportunity to relax, reflect, and share the graces of a memorable day spent with some of the Church’s most cherished saints.
Day 6
We begin the day in the heart of Naples with a visit to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, home to the relics of St. Januarius (San Gennaro), the beloved patron saint of the city. Here, pilgrims can venerate his tomb and the chapel that houses the vials of his blood, which famously liquefy several times a year—a miracle that has inspired the devotion of Neapolitans for centuries. After time for prayer, we travel to Pompeii to visit the renowned Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo, a modern apostle of the Rosary and a powerful witness to conversion and mercy.
Our journey continues to Pagani, where we visit the Basilica of St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists, bishop, moral theologian, and Doctor of the Church. His tomb, located in the richly decorated sanctuary, offers a profound moment to reflect on his teachings on prayer, redemption, and the boundless compassion of Christ. In the late afternoon, we travel along the Bay of Naples to Salerno, where we enjoy dinner together and settle in for a peaceful overnight stay, concluding a day filled with inspiring saints and beautiful expressions of faith.
Basilica of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori
Crypt of St. Matthew, Salerno Cathedral
Day 7
We begin the day in Salerno at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Matthew, home to the sacred relics of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. In the beautifully adorned Crypt of St. Matthew, you will have time to pray before the tomb of one of the four Gospel writers—an extraordinary privilege and a profound moment in any pilgrimage. The cathedral’s rich history, stunning mosaics, and peaceful chapels provide a deep spiritual start to the day as we honor the apostle who proclaimed Christ through his writings and witness.
We then travel inland to Materdomini to visit the sanctuary of St. Gerard Majella, the beloved Redemptorist brother known worldwide as a powerful intercessor for mothers, families, and those facing impossible situations. After time in prayer at his tomb and the chapel dedicated to his life, we continue on to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio, one of the Church’s most beloved modern saints. Here you will visit the Padre Pio Shrine, including areas associated with his ministry, prayer, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in San Giovanni Rotondo, giving pilgrims a peaceful opportunity to reflect on the grace-filled encounters with these remarkable saints.
Day 8
We begin the day with a visit to the majestic Monte Sant’Angelo, home to the ancient Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel. This sacred grotto—where St. Michael is believed to have appeared in the 5th century—has been a place of prayer and pilgrimage for more than 1,500 years. The unique atmosphere of the underground chapel, hewn from the mountain itself, invites deep reflection as we celebrate Mass in one of the most important shrines dedicated to the Prince of the Heavenly Host. Pilgrims throughout the centuries, including popes and saints, have come here seeking protection, strength, and renewal under St. Michael’s mighty patronage.
We then travel north along the beautiful Adriatic Coast to Lanciano, the site of the oldest approved Eucharistic Miracle in the Church. Here you will venerate the miraculous Host and Chalice, visible signs of Christ’s true presence preserved since the 8th century. After time for prayer, we continue to Loreto, one of Italy’s most cherished pilgrimage destinations and home of the Holy House of Nazareth. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and enjoy dinner together, closing a day filled with profound encounters with the Eucharist, the angels, and the mystery of the Incarnation.
Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
Day 9
We begin the day in Loreto, home to one of the most treasured pilgrimage sites in the world—the Holy House of Nazareth, honored for centuries as the very home where the Virgin Mary lived and where the Annunciation took place. Enshrined within the magnificent Basilica della Santa Casa, the Holy House has drawn countless saints and pilgrims who come to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation and the humility of the Holy Family. After time for prayer and exploration, we continue our journey north.
Our next stop is Osimo, where we visit the sanctuary and tomb of St. Joseph of Cupertino, the humble Franciscan mystic known for his ecstatic levitations, deep humility, and powerful intercession for students and exam-takers. Following this uplifting visit, we travel onward to Assisi, the beloved hometown of St. Francis and St. Clare. We begin at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, which houses the Porziuncola, the tiny chapel where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order and received some of his most profound graces. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is spent in Assisi, where you will have the opportunity to stroll its peaceful streets, pray at its holy sites, and enjoy dinner before returning to the quiet beauty of this sacred town.
Day 10
We begin the day in the quiet beauty of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare, where the body of St. Clare, the spiritual sister of St. Francis and foundress of the Poor Clares, rests in the lower crypt. Here you will also see the original San Damiano Crucifix—the very cross from which Christ spoke to St. Francis, calling him to “rebuild My Church.” From there, we make our way to the magnificent Basilica of St. Francis, the world-renowned shrine that houses the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. Spread across two stunning levels adorned with Giotto’s frescoes, this basilica invites pilgrims into the radical simplicity, joy, and holiness that shaped the life of one of the Church’s most beloved saints.
Our pilgrimage continues with a visit to the Sanctuary hosting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the modern teen known for his deep Eucharistic devotion and his mission to use technology to evangelize the world. His witness of holiness in everyday life offers a powerful inspiration for people of all ages. After these grace-filled encounters, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy free time in Assisi—strolling its peaceful streets, shopping, or returning to your favorite churches for quiet prayer. We gather again in the evening for dinner, reflecting together on a day spent in the company of some of the Church’s most treasured saints.
Day 11
After breakfast, we depart Assisi for Orvieto, where we will visit the magnificent Orvieto Cathedral, home to one of the most important Eucharistic Miracles in Church history—the Miracle of Bolsena. Here, the blood-stained corporal, which confirmed the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, is beautifully enshrined in the cathedral’s chapel. After time for prayer and reflection, we continue our drive to Rome, arriving in the historic center where you will enjoy free time for lunch near the Pantheon, one of the city’s most iconic ancient landmarks.
In the afternoon, our pilgrimage continues with visits to three remarkable churches rich in sacred art and the witness of the saints. At Santa Maria sopra Minerva, we venerate the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and co-patroness of Italy. We then walk to the Basilica of Sant’Agostino, where the remains of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, are honored. Finally, we visit Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova), the church of St. Philip Neri, the joyful apostle of Rome, whose body rests beneath the altar. The day concludes with dinner in the charming Piazza Navona area or back at the hotel, offering a relaxing end to a day filled with profound encounters with the saints and the beauty of the Eternal City.
Day 12
Depart Rome on a mid-morning nonstop flight to Washington Dulles. After landing, a coach bus will meet the group and return you to the parish from which you set out, completing your pilgrimage together.
AMDG Travel Disclaimer
From time to time, local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the sequence of activities or result in the omission of certain sites or events. While every effort will be made to operate the itinerary as planned, it should be understood that the itinerary serves as an indication of the planned schedule rather than a binding guarantee of specific stops or events.
