Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Thursday, 13th November Basilica of St. Mary Major

This morning, 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. We will drive to Rome and will relax with lunch in a typical local restaurant. The Basilica of St. Mary Major is 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 would pray before embarking, and upon returning from each international Apostolic journey.

We will celebrate the opening Mass our pilgrimage in this wonderful basilica and afterwards spend time in prayer at the tomb of Pope Francis. As we drive to our hotel, we will catch glimpses of some of the many ancient monuments scattered throughout Rome, evidence that the �Eternal City� has a history and an appeal like no other city in the world.


Friday, 14th November St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica of St. John Lateran & Irish College

St. Peter's Basilica is without doubt one of the holiest temples of Christendom and home to masterpieces by artists of the calibre of Michelangelo and Bernini amongst countless others. This morning, we will make our pilgrimage through the Holy Door before embarking on a guided tour of the basilica, where we will have the chance to pray at the tombs of St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII, and admire Michelangelo's Piet� and Bernini's intricate Baldachin. The Pontifical Irish College, with its wonderful location within walking distance of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, attracts visitors and pilgrims who arrive in abundance each year. We will celebrate Mass in the college which is the last of the many Irish Colleges that is still a seminary from the many that were once scattered over Europe.

We will visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the �Mother Church of all Churches� and seat of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo. After time for private prayer, we will walk to the nearby Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs where we will conclude our day of sightseeing and prayer. According to tradition, the Holy Stairs are the steps which led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ climbed on his way to trial. The sanctuary attracts millions of pilgrims each year who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ.


Saturday, 15th November College of St. Isidore's, Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona

This morning, we will celebrate Mass at the College of St. Isidore's, founded in 1625 by Irish Franciscan Luke Wadding OFM and now home to an international fraternity of OFM Franciscans. As we embark on a guided walking tour of Rome's historic centre we will see the world-famous Trevi Fountain, where tradition calls for tossing a coin over your shoulder to ensure a return to Rome, pass by the Pantheon before arriving in Piazza Navona, Rome's most famous square, known for its lively atmosphere and the beautiful fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. We will have time at leisure for lunch, for shopping and private sightseeing.


Sunday, 16th November Angelus in St. Peter's Square & Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

This morning, we will celebrate Mass in the Church of San Pietro in Montorio, a special place in the history of Ireland: the connection beginning with the Flight of the Earls in 1607, when Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell ended up in Rome after the Tudor conquest of Ireland. After Mass we will hear of the history behind the church and enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the �Eternal City� before we return to St. Peter's Square for the Angelus.

After free time for lunch around St. Peter's Square, we will drive to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four major basilicas and a Jubilee pilgrimage site, where we will have time for prayer at the tomb of St. Paul before returning to our hotel.


Monday, 17th November Basilica of San Clemente After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to the Basilica of San Clemente, situated in the heart of ancient Rome and today in the care of the Irish Dominicans. Visiting San Clemente means making a real voyage of discovery into the long history of the city. The Basilica with its underground archaeological complex is one of the world's great treasures, a place loved by pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. Here, as in no other place, one can visit and experience different levels of Rome's past. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the basilica and afterwards visit the famous excavations. Just a short walk from the basilica we will see (from the outside) the famous Colosseum. After time at leisure for lunch and further sightseeing we will drive to Fiumicino Airport for our return flight to Dublin, concluding our memorable Jubilee pilgrimage.