Pilgrimage to Italy with Bishop Scott Bullock, Fr. Robert Kinyon, Jonathon Hofer, & Jon Leonetti

Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Rome from Rapid City or Chicago. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Add-on flights and optional premium economy and business class rates are available upon request. (Please note: specific seat assignments are not possible with group air. You may choose to book your own air if seat location is a priority)

You are greeted at the airport by your Italian Tour Managers, who will be with the group the entire time. Our first stop is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass. Next, we visit the Convent of Tre Fontane, where St. Paul was beheaded. Our hotel check-in is after 4PM, we can settle in, have a relaxing dinner, and then enjoy a well-deserved night of rest. Overnight in Rome. (Dinner with wine)

We make our way to the Vatican early this morning as we take our seats in St. Peter’s Square to wait to see Pope Leo drive by us in the Popemobile and bless our group during the Papal Audience. After this we have time for shopping at local stores for religious items and souvenirs, we drive to St. Mary Major Basilica, where we celebrate Mass. Enjoy several hours of leisure time before we meet around 5:00 PM at our hotel for a transfer to Santa Maria in Vallicella for a Vigil with Adoration and Confession. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome (Buffet breakfast )

This morning, following an early breakfast, we visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity for a warm welcome by Sr. Callista. Our day continues with a visit to the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs next door. Nearby is the Basilica of the Holy Cross, where we see the relics of the True Cross, among other relics from Jerusalem. Picking up a snack is suggested as dinner will consist of Hors d’ouvres at the reception. Return to the hotel for a bit of rest before our 5:00 PM transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica to attend the Diaconate Ordination Ceremony (Tickets will be coordinated by Jon). Following the Ordination, we are invited to attend a reception at the North American College (NAC), generous hors d’oeuvres will be served. A transfer will be arranged to return us to our hotel. Overnight in Rome. (Buffet breakfast, Restaurant lunch & Hors d’oeuvres)

Today, we are invited to attend the First Preaching Mass, followed by a celebratory lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we drive along the ancient Appian Way to the Catacombs, where the early Christians prayed in secret and buried their dead. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (Buffet breakfast & Special lunch)

Our day starts with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we celebrate Mass. Our visit to the Vatican Museums includes a guided tour that explains some of the world’s greatest works of art, ending in the incomparable Sistine Chapel. Following a guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica, you have the afternoon at leisure to explore the Historic Center of Rome on your own. We suggest walking from St. Peter’s Basilica to the city center, where you can see the Pantheon (entrance fee required), Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps, all located in close vicinity to each other. Your guides will assist you in taking you to the city center. Dinner is at leisure to try one of the many restaurants in the city center. Overnight in Rome. (Buffet breakfast)

We say goodbye to Rome and depart for the hilltop towns of Orvieto and Assisi. The charming town of Orvieto is famous for its wine and its cathedral, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful. Upon arrival in the city, we see the dodecagon, a unique twelve-sided figure, at Sant’Andrea Church on Piazza Repubblica, in the form of a twelve-sided bell tower, and visit the Duomo, where the Miracle of the Eucharist of Bolsena is housed. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica. Our day includes an excellent lunch at a local winery with an opportunity to taste the famous Orvieto Classico wine for which this region is renowned. We continue to Assisi, the beautiful city of birds and silence. Before we settle into our hotel, we explore the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels), built to protect the Portiuncula, the humble chapel where the Franciscan Order was born and where St. Francis dedicated countless hours to prayer. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch and wine tasting, Dinner with wine)

Assisi is considered one of Italy’s most peaceful spots and a spiritual treasure. We start with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare and San Damiano. We venerate the relics of St. Carlo Acutis at the Santuario della Spogliazione and walk across the town to the Basilica of St. Francis, with its world-renowned frescoes by Giotto and the tomb of St. Francis. Here we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we visit the Cathedral of San Rufino, the baptismal site of both Francis and Clare, and the place where they first heard the Gospel proclaimed. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (Buffet breakfast and Dinner with wine)

Our morning visit is to Siena, to see the famous Piazza del Campo, known for its horse races. Later, we see the relics of St. Catherine, the patron Saint of Italy, at St. Dominic Church, and celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we visit the Ermo della Carceri, St. Francis’ retreat hermitage near the summit of Mt. Subasio, where we have talks by our group leaders. Enjoy our last dinner and overnight in Assisi. Overnight in Assisi. (Buffet Breakfast and Dinner with Wine)

Departing Assisi, we drive to Cascia, home of St. Rita, to see the Saint’s incorrupt body and visit places associated with her life and work. We celebrate Mass in this holy site and have time for prayer and reflection. In the afternoon we arrive at our hotel near Rome airport. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight at the hotel near the airport. (Buffet Breakfast and Farewell Dinner with wine)

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flights back home.