Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Monday, 31st March Arrive Rome

This afternoon, we will fly from Dublin to Rome and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages representative and driver who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Arriving at our hotel, we will check into our rooms before dinner.


Tuesday, 1st April St. Peter's Basilica, Irish College & Basilica of St. John Lateran

After breakfast, our coach will take us to the beating heart of Rome where we will begin our Jubilee Year Pilgrimage. Along with fellow pilgrims who have travelled from afar, we will walk the pilgrim path which will lead us towards St. Peter's Basilica, without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom. Crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, symbolizes a journey of conversion, sealed by the encounter with Christ, the "door", uniting us with the Father. Once inside the basilica we will have time for private prayer at the tombs of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII and afterwards, accompanied by our guide will see some of the masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. (Please note visits to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are not included in your pilgrimage programme).

We will return to our coach and drive to a local restaurant for lunch (payable locally). We will celebrate Mass in the Pontifical Irish College and afterwards walk to the nearby Basilica of St. John Lateran where we cross the threshold of the Holy Door of the �Mother Church of all churches� and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. Time-permitting, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, the steps which led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ climbed on his way to trial, a pilgrimage site which attract millions of visitors each year who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ. We will return to our hotel by coach and have time to relax before dinner.


Wednesday, 2nd April

We await an update from the Prefecture of the Papal Household regarding the Papal Audience scheduled for this morning. As with all activities, we will liaise directly with Fr. O'Boyle in relation to the pilgrimage programme.

In the afternoon we will drive to the Catacombs of St. Sebastian. Known as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, the 12-kilometre-long catacombs owe their name to St Sebastian, a soldier who became a martyr for converting to Christianity. Built above the ancient burial grounds is the basilica which has carefully preserved the arrow that struck St. Sebastian during his murder and a set of marble footprints, which are attributed to Jesus, during his walk to Rome along the Via Appia. We will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Sebastian and have time for private prayer before returning to our hotel.


Thursday, 3rd April - Walking tour of historical centre, Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona

After morning Mass, our guide will take us on a walking tour of Rome, as we stroll along the quaint cobbled streets that will lead us to Trevi Fountain, pass by the Pantheon before arriving in elegant Piazza Navona - a true symbol of Baroque Rome, with the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers dominating the square.

In the afternoon we will drive to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and cross the threshold of the Holy Door which, since the date of the first Holy Year, has been part of the Jubilee itinerary to obtain the indulgence and stands on the site that tradition indicates as that of the burial place of the Apostle Paul.

We will have the remainder of the afternoon free and the evening at leisure to dine in one of the many restaurants throughout Rome, sampling some of the fine Italian produce. (Dinner not included this evening).


Friday, 4th April Basilica of St. Mary Major & Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. We will cross the threshold of the largest Catholic Marian Church in Rome and home to the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani; an Icon of the Virgin Mother and Child, credited with saving the city of Rome from the plague during the late sixth century. It is before this icon that Pope Francis prays before embarking, and upon returning from each international Apostolic journey. Afterwards, we will depart the �Eternal City� and drive through the Green Heart of Italy to the town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis & St. Clare, and resting place of Carlo Acutis. Upon arrival at our hotel in Santa Maria degli Angeli, we will check into our rooms and have time to relax. After Mass in the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a sacred place for Franciscans, we will see the Chapel of the Porziuncola where Francis began to realise his true calling. the Chapel of the Transito where Francis died and the famous Rose Garden.


Saturday, 5th April Basilica of St. Francis, Basilica of St. Clare, Tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis

This morning, we will drive to Assisi and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis before spending time in private prayer at the tomb of the Poor Man of Assisi.

We will meet our guide who will take us through the basilica, explaining to us the history and significance of the impressive frescoes before we embark on a walking tour of the medieval town where we will hear of the lives of both St. Francis and St. Clare and how they relinquished lavish lifestyles in favour of a life of charity and prayer.

The name Carlo Acutis became known throughout the world when on the 10th of October 2020, in the presence of his parents and siblings, he was beatified in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The young Carlo had the capacity to enjoy life in a simple way, and just like St. Francis of Assisi was not impressed by material things. After free time for lunch, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the resting place of the first millennial beatified, and future saint, and where the young Francis of Assisi publicly relinquished his lavish lifestyle. In this place of great significance, we will hear more of the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis and have time for private prayer at his Tomb. Our day of sightseeing will conclude at the Basilica of St. Clare, where we will venerate the original San Damiano Cross which has been carefully preserved through the centuries and have time for prayer at the tomb of the founder of the Order of the Poor Clares. The remainder of the afternoon at leisure will allow us the opportunity for shopping and personal sightseeing.


Sunday, 6th April Siena

After breakfast we will drive to the Tuscan town of Siena. During our time in Siena our guide will take us to the vibrant Piazza del Campo through the ancient streets of the medieval town and the Shrine of the house of St. Catherine where we will hear of the austere lifestyle the young Catherine chose to follow, and the great works of charity which earned her the title of �The Lady with the Lamp.� Our day in Siena will conclude with Mass in the Basilica of St. Dominic before returning to Assisi for dinner.


Monday, 7th April Return home

After breakfast we will check out of our rooms and drive to Fiumicino airport for our return flight to Dublin.


Throughout the pilgrimage we will liaise with your Spiritual Director and update your group each evening with details of the plans for the forthcoming day.