2025 PILGRIMAGE to ITALY

Depart from Philadelphia International Airport at 6:00 p.m. for an overnight flight to Rome, Italy. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served on board this transatlantic flight. We will arrive in Rome, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the following morning.

Arrive at FCO International Airport by 8:20 a.m. and get ready for an unforgettable journey! We will board a bus to Hotel Delle Rose in Cascia. Although check-in at the hotel starts at 3:00 p.m., we will have lunch when we arrive and you will have time to explore the captivating beauty of Cascia. End your day on a spiritual note with a private evening Mass, followed by a delightful dinner at Ristorante Delle Rose. Overnight in Cascia. (Lunch and dinner included)

After morning Mass, join us for an enriching guided tour of the Monastery of Saint Rita. After lunch you will be able to reflect and connect spiritually with Saint Rita during your free time until evening prayer. Embrace this opportunity for personal devotion, veneration of the incorrupt body of Saint Rita and taking more time to visit the Basilica. You will be able to immerse yourself in the tranquility of this sacred site. Dinner and overnight in Cascia. (Breakfast and dinner included)

After morning Mass, we will discover the enchanting village of Roccaporena, definitely worth visiting. It is the sacred birthplace of Saint Rita and the site of her marriage.  Here, you can explore her historic house, now transformed into a serene chapel and museum, reflecting her devotion and family life. Join us as we ascend to the Scoglio di Santa Rita (Rock of Saint Rita), a powerful site where she sought solace in prayer and meditation. Don’t miss the miraculous rose and vegetable garden, renowned for the miraculous blooming of a rose and ripening of a fig just days before her passing in winter 1457. Dinner and overnight in Cascia. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will have a memorable celebration of the morning Mass at the Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, where we will have the unique opportunity to view and venerate his first-class relic. Our experience will be enriched by a private tour led by one of the local Augustinian friars, who will bring to life the inspiring story and miracles of Saint Nicholas, the first Augustinian saint. After savoring a delightful lunch at the monastery, we will journey to the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto. According to tradition, this is the site of the holy house of the Virgin Mary miraculously transported from Nazareth to Loreto. We will also delve into the fascinating history of the famous Black Madonna of Loreto, making this an unforgettable pilgrimage experience. Dinner and overnight in Cascia. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

After morning Mass, we will embark on our journey to the enchanting town of Assisi. Upon our arrival, we will enjoy a delightful lunch together, setting the stage for a memorable day. Next, we will take a private tour to immerse ourselves in the beauty and history of the Basilica of Saint Clare, the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the remains of his house. You'll also have the opportunity to explore on your own during free time, before we gather once again for dinner at the same wonderful restaurant. Don't miss this chance to experience Assisi's rich culture and history! Dinner and overnight in Cascia. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We bid farewell to Cascia and set off for the Sanctuary of Saint Clare of the Cross in Montefalco, a truly inspiring destination. Saint Clare of the Cross, an Augustinian nun renowned for her deep devotion to Christ, has her incorrupt body resting beneath a side altar in the basilica. Nearby, her heart showing signs of a crucifix with corpus, nails, and a scourge. Legend has it that Christ gifted Saint Clare a wooden stick, instructing her to plant it. This stick flourished into a magnificent tree, unique to the Himalayas and not found in Italy, symbolizing her spiritual journey. During our visit, we will have a Mass in the sanctuary, a private tour led by one of the local Augustinian nuns, and a delicious pranzo (lunch) at the monastery before embarking on our journey to Rome. Once we arrive and check into the Michelangelo hotel, we will take an introductory tour visiting the Augustinian House of Studies and the Piazza of Saint Peter … right across the street from it! Overnight in Rome. (Breakfast and lunch included)

We will be celebrating morning Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, the site of the original fresco of Our Lady of Good Counsel that holds profound significance for many. We will experience an exclusive private tour guided by a local Augustinian friar, who will share the inspiring journey of the fresco that miraculously made its way from Albania to Italy on its own. While there, we will also pay tribute to Blessed Stephen Bellesini, an Augustinian priest whose unwavering fidelity during challenging times serves as an extraordinary testament to his commitment to God’s service, especially among the poor and the infirm. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your faith and connection to this remarkable history! Overnight in Rome. (Breakfast included)

We will begin our day visiting some nearby churches and Roman neighborhoods close to Saint Peter’s. Later in the morning we will celebrate Sunday Mass in the Augustinian House of Studies, Collegio Santa Monica, in the community chapel with a beautiful mosaic. We will then gather on the terrace roof of the Collegio which overlooks Saint Peter’s Basilica, Colonnade and square with a direct view to the window from which Pope Francis will give the Angelus blessing. We will then be free to have and light lunch and gather in smaller groups to visit an Augustinian church and other well-known Roman sites. We return for Evening Prayer and dinner at our hotel. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Today is our day to visit the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. We will celebrate Mass together in one of the crypt chapels or, if not possible, in the public Chapel at Collegio Santa Monica. We will then tour Saint Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, there will be a variety of options available. 1) Those who wish may visit other sites in Rome on their own. 2) You can join a small group (there may be several options) to visit other Augustinian and Roman churches and local sites. 3) You can arrange to tour the Vatican Museum.  However, you would personally need to make a reservation online which we strongly recommend doing this month.

Here is the link: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en.html. The day will end most enjoyably with a farewell dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Depart the hotel at 8:00 a.m. as we bid farewell to enchanting Rome and journey back to Philadelphia. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served on the transatlantic flight. We are expected to arrive in Philadelphia at 4:50 p.m. (Breakfast and lunch included)