Pilgrims of Hope: Jubilee Italy Pilgrimage with the Brotherhood of Hope

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight to Rome! (Bring a good book, your rosary, and prayer intentions.) Meals and refreshments are served on the plane.

Welcome to Rome! After arriving into Rome Airport, we transfer by private motorcoach to the hilltop village of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi and a UNESCO world heritage site known for its magnificent medieval architecture. After our hotel check-in, we will gather for prayer and Mass at the Church of San Damiano.

Overnight in Assisi

Following breakfast, we will gather for our guided tour of Assisi. We begin at the Basilica of Saint Clare, one of the first followers of St. Francis. Here, we will descend to St. Clare’s lower crypt, where we will pray before her incorrupt body and reflect before many of her relics that remain with us today. We will also have a chance to pray before the San Damiano cross, the very cross that Christ spoke to St. Francis through, asking Francis to rebuild his Church. Continuing to the Basilica of Saint Francis, we will be guided through the meaning of the many frescoes that surround us, depicting his saintly life. We will then have an opportunity to descend to the lower crypt where we will pray before the tomb of St. Francis, and the remains of his first followers. Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica. Today we will also visit the Chiesa Nueova and San Francesco Piccolino.

Overnight in Assisi

Mass will be celebrated this morning at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, home to the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis. We will then make our way down into the valley of Assisi where we visit the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, home of the Chapel Portiuncula, where St. Francis lived and worked after founding the Franciscan order, and where Mother Mary appeared to Francis in 1216. We’ll also visit the miracle garden of the thornless rose. All roads lead to Rome. Enroute, we visit the gorgeous hilltop town of Orvieto. The town sits on a 1,000-foot high rock formation, poetically crowned by Italy’s most renowned Gothic cathedral. We visit the famous Cathedral housing the corporeale of the Miracle of the Eucharist in Bolsena where we will celebrate Mass. Arrive in Rome this evening in time for dinner.

Overnight in Rome

Today we will visit and have an opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. The Holy Doors of Rome’s four major papal basilicas are opened only during times of jubilee, symbolize passing into the presence of God by way of our Lord Jesus, who called himself the “gate.” Those who walk through them are granted a plenary indulgence for the removal of temporal punishment for their sins. At the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran we also will have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps and attend Mass. Before we close the day, we will travel to the Pontifical North American College for a private tour, offering stunning views of Rome. Evening walk tonight after dinner around the Piazza Navona.

Overnight in Rome

After breakfast, we will embark on a historic tour of Ancient Rome. We will stroll along cobblestone streets, lined with majestic stone pines, and visit the Colosseum, a grand amphitheater of the ancient world. Along the way we’ll stop for prayer at the Basilica of Saint Clement. Passing by the Roman Forum, we will witness the ruins of ancient government buildings. We’ll finish the day visiting the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, a resting place of several popes from the 2nd to 4th centuries. Optional walking tour of the Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps this evening.

Overnight in Rome

In the morning, we will head to Saint Peter’s Square for the Papal general audience with Pope Francis (subject to the Pope’s schedule). Afterward, we will have a private Mass nearby. After lunch on your own, we’ll embark on a tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. At St. Peter’s Basilica we will walk through the final Holy Door. This door is one of three entrances into St. Peter’s Basilica, which along with the other Holy Doors usually remains closed, but when it is opened imparts an indulgence to those who walk through it. Later this afternoon we’ll visit the Chiesa Nuova, Church of the Gesù, the iconic Pantheon and the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Overnight in Rome

After breakfast this morning, Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of Sts. Cosmas & Damian. After the Mass, we will proceed to explore the ancient Catacombs of Priscilla. This catacomb was used for Christian burials from the late 2nd century through the 4th century. Our day will continue at the Basilica of St. Agnes Outside the Walls. Finally, we will visit the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, one of the seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. We’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner this evening.

Overnight in Rome

With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Rome Fiumicino Airport, say farewell to our fellow pilgrims and new friends, and board our return flight home to Boston.