Experience Rome with Dr. Sri Rome & Assisi Pilgrimage

ITINERARY

Day 1, Thursday, November 5 - Depart USA

Depart on independent flights to Rome, Italy.

Day 2, Friday, November 6 - The Heart of the Church

St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica | Sanctuary of Divine Mercy: St. John Paul II & St. Faustina

Meet Dr. Sri at the Rome airport and take a private transfer to the hotel just two blocks away from the Vatican. Enjoy a take-away lunch before beginning our pilgrimage with a tour of the history, theology, art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica. Inside, pray at the tombs of dozens of saints and Church Fathers. Also, visit Santo Spirito Church with relics of Saints Faustina and John Paul II. Celebrate Mass at Santo Spirito Church before a celebratory Welcome Dinner.

Day 3, Saturday, November 7 - Walking with the Saints

St. Catherine of Siena, St. Monica, St. Agnes | St. Philip Neri, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier | The Apostles Philip and James | Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain

Walking tour of some of the beautiful churches and saints in the historic district, including: Chiesa Nuova with tomb of St. Philip Neri; St. Agnes where she was martyred and the relic of her head resides; the famous Piazza Navona; San Agostino with the tomb of St. Monica, Augustine’s mother; St. Luigi, which houses a cycle of paintings by Caravaggio on the life of St. Matthew. Mass at S. Maria Magdalena Church, with tomb of St. Camillus. After lunch on our own, visit the Church of the 12 Apostles with the tombs of the Apostles Philip and James the Less; the Church of the Gesu with the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the hand of St. Francis Xavier; Santa Maria Sopra Minerva with the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. We also will see the Pantheon, the pagan temple that was converted into a church in 608 AD and the famous Trevi Fountain.

Day 4, Sunday, November 8 - Rome with Mary, Peter, & the Pope

St. Praxedes (1st Century House Church) | Basilica of St. Mary Major

Enjoy a leisurely morning or attend the Sunday Angelus with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Square. After lunch on own, travel to the Esquiline Hill area and visit the early Christian “House Church” St. Praxedes, with relics of thousands of early Christian martyrs. Then, visit St. Mary Major Basilica, the principal church dedicated to Our Lady with relics of the Bethlehem crib and many saints. This evening, there will be a special dinner along the Appian Way.

Day 5, Monday, November 9 - “The Blood of the Martyrs”

Catacombs of St. Calixtus | Basilicas of St. John Lateran + Santa Croce (Relics of Christ’s Passion) | Basilica of San Clemente (1st Century House Church) | Views of Coliseum & Ancient Roman Forum

Visit the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, the largest of Christian catacombs with tombs of the early popes, early depictions of the sacraments, St. Cecelia’s original burial place & the site of Pope Sixtus II’s martyrdom in 258 AD. Celebrate Mass of the Martyrs there. Pray at Basilica of Santa Croce with the relics of Christ’s Passion St. Helen brought back. Visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where the popes resided from time of Constantine until the papacy moved to Avignon in 1377. After lunch on own, explore Basilica of San Clemente. Journey from the 12th century church through the excavations to the fourthcentury basilica and then go down one more level to a first century “House Church” believed to be where Pope St. Clement resided. End day with views of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum, including sights of the hills where Rome started in the 8th century BC and the Forum—the ancient marketplace/plaza that emerged in this area with its buildings for government, trade and pagan worship.

Day 6, Tuesday, November 10 - Theology in Art

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls | Vatican Museums

This morning, visit St. Paul Outside the Walls. Upon entering the welcoming courtyard, we’re greeted by the famous statue of St. Paul holding the Scriptures and a sword. Inside, we ponder the frescos of Paul’s life and the medallions of all the Popes from Peter to Leo. Our pilgrimage to this Basilica will culminate at the tomb of St. Paul and relic of his disciple Timothy, where we will read from Paul’s letter to Timothy and seek their intercession. Celebrate Mass there. This afternoon would be your opportunity, if interested, to tour the Vatican Museums independently. You will have exclusive access to Dr. Sri’s custom teaching guide, which will explore the works of Giotto, DaVinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and others. Discover the rich spirituality and theology in Christian art in the Raphael rooms & Sistine Chapel where the popes are elected. There, the cardinals in the conclave contemplate a cycle of paintings telling the story of salvation from Adam to Jesus, culminating in the Last Judgment scene, by Michelangelo.

Day 7, Wednesday, November 11 - Assisi Day Trip

Church of St. Claire + Basilica of St. Francis

Travel through the beautiful Italian countryside of Lazio and Umbria to the medieval hill city of Assisi. Visit the Church of St. Clare. Pray at the tomb of St. Clare and before the San Damiano cross — the original cross that spoke to St. Francis telling him “Go rebuild my church!” Walk through the town’s central square, which dates back to Roman times. Tour the three levels of the Basilica of St. Francis, including a walk through Giotto’s frescos telling the life of St. Francis and praying at Francis’ tombs. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica before returning to Rome for a festive Farewell Dinner.

Day 8, Thursday, November 12 - Free Day

Plan your own day-trip to places like Florence, Orvieto or Pompeii. Or stay in Rome to relax or visit other sites of your interest.

Day 9, Friday, November 13 - Return to USA

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and take the return transfer to the Rome Airport.

Itinerary is tentative and subject to change