Dear Friends in Christ,

I cordially invite you to join me on a once in a lifetime pilgrimage to beautiful and historic Italy! I do say “pilgrimage”, and not vacation, because we are taking a spiritual journey to the heart of Catholicism. One of the goals of any pilgrimage is a deepening of faith. Visiting a country like Italy, where the Catholic faith has been present and vibrant for so many centuries, will surely help any Catholic to better appreciate the faith that has been handed down to them.

Pilgrims will be able to attend daily the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in a variety of the different churches we plan to visit in Milan, Florence, and of course the Eternal City, Rome! We will be able to walk inside the underground Catacombs of St. Callixtus where Christians prayed at Mass during the Roman persecution of the early Church. We will pray in the four major basilicas of Rome: St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Peter’s in the Vatican. We will even view the outdoor papal procession that occurs on Ash Wednesday!

Why is this pilgrimage something you should prayerfully consider? Pope Francis invites all to be a Pilgrim of Hope in the Jubilee Year of 2025, and a plenary indulgence is attached. We also live in challenging times, and a pilgrimage like this can restore the hope and trust that our Lord desires for all of us. I hope that you will join me for this spiritually uplifting pilgrimage!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Sean Timmerman

Flights to Italy :

Our Pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our flights to Milan. We do our best to get some sleep as we anticipate our arrival in Italy. 

Arrive Milan : Duomo : Welcome Dinner :

Upon arrival in Milan, we proceed through customs and collect our belongings before being welcomed by our Italian Tour Escort. Exiting the airport, we drive into central Milan to deposit our bags at our hotel and take a moment to rest. We then begin a walking tour of the Old City that will culminate in a visit to Milan’s most famous structure. Standing as the centerpiece of the city for over six centuries, the Duomo is an architectural marvel and is sure to both awe and inspire us as we experience our in-depth tour. We then return to our hotel to relax and freshen up before enjoying a special Welcome Dinner to close the day. 

Overnight: Milan (Dinner*)

The Last Supper : Transfer to Florence : 

After a good night's rest and a delicious breakfast, we take in one last visit before we depart for Florence. The Church of Holy Mary of Grace, built in a terracotta brick with few elaborate flourishes visible from the outside, holds within it one of the world's most iconic and recognizable works of art - Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. Alongside this monumental work is a stunning and meticulously designed Gothic interior. Our brief tour concluded, we depart for Florence and bid farewell to Milan. Our late afternoon arrival in Florence gives us plenty of time to rest at our hotel or explore nearby before gathering for a group dinner later in the evening. 

Overnight: Florence (Breakfast, Dinner)

Walking Tour : Duomo : Accademia Gallery : Winery Visit :

We start the day with a walking tour of some of the city’s most famous sites including the Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio. Later, we experience a tour of the iconic Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore and Baptistery of St. John. After some time for lunch, the group will visit the world-famous Accademia Gallery. The Gallery houses some of the most magnificent achievements of Renaissance era artists including those of Boticelli, Bartolini, and Michelangelo to name just a few. Our tour complete, we transfer to a winery located outside of Florence for a tour of the grounds and a tasting of the region’s finest wine. Later, we return to our hotel for a group dinner to close the day. 

Overnight: Florence (Breakfast, Dinner)

Transfer to Rome : Orvieto :

After breakfast, we board our bus and depart Florence for Rome. Views of the Tuscan countryside accompany us as we make our way to the Eternal City. Halfway to Rome, we stop in the town of Orvieto. Here, we visit the Gothic Cathedral built to house the holy relics of the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto. It was this miracle that occasioned the proclamation of the Feast of Corpus Christi and inspired St. Thomas Aquinas to write the famous hymn "Tantum Ergo." After Mass, we enjoy a special lunch at a local restaurant complete with a tasting of the Orvieto and Orvieto Classico wine for which this region is famous. Afterwards, we board our bus and continue to our hotel in Rome for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls : Santa Maria in Palmis : Catacombs of St. Callixtus :

Getting a slow start today after our long journey the previous day, our group will enjoy some added time to rest before transferring to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s four major basilicas. Lining the walls of the interior, we see portraits of every Pope leading all the way back to St. Peter himself! We will tour the grounds, visit the tomb of St. Paul, and celebrate Mass before enjoying some time for lunch at the basilica’s on-site restaurant. We then transfer to the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, also known as Santa Maria in Palmis. Tradition holds that on this site of Jesus’ appearance to Peter, a church was erected and was named after the question Peter asked Jesus in Latin (“Lord, where you are you going?”). We then walk along the Appian Way to the nearby Catacombs of St. Callixtus. Dating back to the 2nd century, this complex serves as the final resting place of many of Catholicism’s early Pontiffs. Later, we return to our hotel to close the day. 

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast)

Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem : Basilica of St. John Lateran : Holy Stairs : Colosseum : Forum :

Beginning with visits to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and the Basilica of St. John Lateran, our group will have ample time for prayer and reflection this morning. Following Mass, we will enjoy a brief visit to the Holy Stairs before walking just up the road to explore two of ancient Rome’s most famous monuments – the Colosseum and Forum. Before our tour, however, we pause to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby. 

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast)

Vatican Museum : St. Peter’s Basilica : St. Mary Major : Basilica of Saint Pudentiana :

After breakfast, we proceed to the Vatican for a tour of the famous Vatican Museum. The immense collection contained within has been amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy throughout the centuries and includes several of the most well-known Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. To exit the Museum, visitors enter St. Peter’s Basilica and are given the chance to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgement. Our tour complete, we are given some free time for lunch before transferring to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one the most important shrines in the world dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and another of Rome’s four major basilicas. Here, we will experience a tour and celebrate a private Mass before walking to the nearby Basilica of Saint Pudentiana. This 4th century church is recognized as the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome. The structure was the residence of the Pope until, in 313, Emperor Constantine I offered the Lateran Palace in its stead.

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast)

Free Day :

After morning Mass, our group will be given the balance of the day to explore Rome to our own individual tastes. 

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast)

 Walking Tour : Pantheon : Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere : Ash Wednesday Papal Procession :

We begin with a transfer to the Spanish Steps to begin a walking tour through the streets of Rome. We eventually reach the exquisite Trevi Fountain where we make a wish and snap a photo! Next stop, the Pantheon. The Pantheon is over two thousand years old and was originally built to honor the gods of ancient Rome as well as Rome’s first “emperor” Octavian Augustus. Since the 6th century, however, it has served Rome’s Catholic population as the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs. After our tour, we continue to the Piazza Navona to enjoy free time to relax and have lunch before making the short walk across the Tiber River to visit the Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. With foundations going back to the 3rd century, this magnificent church was built to honor the martyrdom of St. Cecilia. In fact, tradition holds that the church was built over the house of the saint herself. It contains breathtaking sculptures and frescoes depicting St. Ceclia’s martyrdom as well as other religious scenes. Here, we celebrate Mass before crossing the Tiber once more to, if possible, catch a glimpse of Holy Father as he departs the Basilica of St. Sabina to begin his Ash Wednesday procession through the streets of Rome.

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast)

Free Day : Farewell Dinner :

Our last day in Rome begins, as is fitting, with a Mass at a local church. After Mass, our group will be given the balance of the morning and afternoon to explore Rome to our own individual tastes. This evening, we gather at a local restaurant to celebrate our time together with a special Farewell Dinner!

Overnight: Rome (Breakfast, Dinner)

 Return Home :

Our hearts and minds fortified by faith and fellowship, we now begin the long journey home.

Overnight: N/A (Breakfast*)