Join Catholic Charities of Kansas City
- St. Joseph on a Pilgrimage to
Rome & Assisi
Starting at $2,659 per person without airfare
(Land Only option)
With Airfare - starting at $3,859 per person
Spiritual Director: Bishop James V. Johnston Jr.
Group Leader: Chris Ice, CEO Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph & Mary Ice
October 6 - 13, 2019
*Optional Post Tour to Florence & Venice:
October 13 - 17, 2019 | $1,399 per person
JJ100619
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from all US & Canada airports
- Airline Fuel Surcharges and Airport Taxes
- Centrally located First Class Accommodations as follows: (or similar)
- ~ 3 nights: Oct 7 - 10: Hotel Le Meridien Visconti, Rome
- ~ 3 nights: Oct 10 - 13: Hotel Giotto, Assisi
- ~ Optional Post Tour to Florence & Venice:
- ~ 2 nights: Oct 13 - 15: Starhotels Tuscany, Florence
- ~ 2 nights: Oct 15 - 17: Hotel AC Padova, Padua
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Wine and mineral water with dinners
- Air-conditioned motor coach
- Whisper Headsets where needed
- Assistance of a professional local Christian guide(s)
- Sightseeing and admissions fees
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Tips to hotel staff, restaurants, luggage handlers
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Not included
- Lunches, Tips to Guide & Driver.
Itinerary
Sunday, October 6: Depart for Rome
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Monday, October 7: Arrive to Rome
Welcome to Rome, also known as, "The Eternal City." Upon arrival at Rome airport, collect your luggage in the baggage claim area, and continue to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by a tour escort and/or driver. You will make your way to the bus and transfer to your hotel. Following check-in, you will have free time to unpack and relax, or explore Rome on your own. Your tour escort may suggest places to visit. Later in the afternoon, your group will meet in the hotel lobby for a "Meet and Greet" with your fellow pilgrims and depart for Mass. Following Mass, you will attend a welcome dinner. After dinner, you will have the opportunity to walk to St. Peter's Square as a group, for the Rosary (optional).
Tuesday, October 8: Rome - Vatican Museum - Appian Way - Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls - Catacombs
This morning you will enjoy an early breakfast before making your way to the largest Christendom Church, St. Peter's Basilica. This Basilica was built on the site where St. Peter, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome, was martyred. Also, it was Our Holy Father, Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to visit the necropolis since extensive archaeological excavations were conducted at the ancient site decades ago. It is here that you will view Michelangelo's Pieta. This stunning marble sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after His crucifixion, death, and removal off the cross before being placed in the tomb. Continue to proceed to the Vatican Museums. At the world-renowned museum, you will see the most impressive of edifices, galleries, and awe-inspiring relics. Additionally, you will observe the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo's Masterpiece, the restored mural of the Last Judgment. The final stop on your Vatican tour is at the tomb of Saint John Paul II. Afterward, you will be transferred to the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain), where you may enjoy some free time on your own for lunch. Continue on your short journey down the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. This road leads to the Domino Quo Vadis Chapel, the Baths of Caracalla, the Arch of Drusus, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and the catacombs of St. Callixtus. The day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century, this Basilica is the burial places of Saint Paul the Apostle. We will make our way to a local restaurant for dinner. Following dinner, feel free to explore the streets of Rome, or return to the hotel for overnight. *Mass will be celebrated daily
Wednesday, October 9: Rome - Papal Audience - Trevi Fountain / Piazza Navona - Basilica of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major - Holy Steps
After a nice breakfast at your hotel, your first sightseeing day in Rome starts! The tour begins with the Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square! The Audience is celebrated each Wednesday by His Holiness, Pope Francis (pending the papal schedule). Following the Audience, there will be free time for lunch, or shop, or mail a postcard from the Vatican Post Office. This afternoon you will visit the oldest of the four major Basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome, and where he officiates as the Bishop of Rome. Next, we will cross the street to visit the Holy Staircase. Tradition states that this staircase is from Pontius Pilate's palace of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It is also said that this Staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century. If time permits, you may climb the steps on your knees, in memory of Christ's agonizing Passion. To conclude your day, we will proceed to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. *Mass will be celebrated daily
Thursday, October 10: Rome - Orvieto - Assisi
Following breakfast, you will board your bus to enjoy the scenic route to Orvieto. Arrive in Orvieto, a city known for its Duomo and considered one of the most architecturally important in Europe, for its Etruscan roots, and for the museums where one finds collections and displays that range over 2,500 years of history. During this tour you will walk through Orvieto's charming, narrow alleys, and small squares. Your tour will be a very memorable experience, perfect for reflecting over while you enjoy an Umbrian meal or a glass of Orvieto Classico wine (lunch on own.) Continue on to Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis. Upon arrival in Assisi, you will enjoy dinner, before retiring to your room for a restful night's sleep. *Mass will be celebrated daily
Friday, October 11: Assisi (St. Francis)
As we visit the birthplace of St. Francis, you will become captivated as the atmosphere has not changed since St. Francis began his ministry, in the early 13th century. We will start our tour at the St. Francis Basilica, visit his tomb of St. Francis, and have the opportunity to view a series of frescoes depicting his life, along with a few of the saint's possessions. From there, we will continue on a walking tour through this picturesque town, including the birthplace of St. Francis, and ending with a tour of the Church that honors St. Clare, the foundress of the Poor Clare Sisters. This Saint followed the teachings of St. Francis very closely by also living a life of poverty and humility. Enjoy some free time on your own - you may take this time for additional prayer, shop in the many gift shops or enjoy a nice lunch. After lunch, we will board the bus, which will take us outside of the walls of Assisi, to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This is where St. Francis spent most of life. This Basilica is made up of two structures, both of which you will visit. The first structure, is the "Porziuncola", which is where St. Francis founded his order of the Friar Minor (Franciscans). The second, is the "Capella del Transito", which is the place of St. Francis' death. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Rose Garden where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the Saint retired to pray. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. *Mass will be celebrated daily
Saturday, October 12: Assisi - Cascia - Assisi
After breakfast, we will drive through the beautiful mountains of Umbria, to Cascia, the hometown of St. Rita. Celebrate the Mass in the Basilica of Santa Rita de Cascia. After the Mass we will visit the Basilica, which houses the bodies of Santa Rita and Santa Teresa Fasce. Visit the convent, where the Holy sisters of the cloister still live and contemplate the Holy cell of Santa Rita. You will have time for personal prayer and reflection, followed by a walk through the picturesque streets of Cascia, full of small shops. Back to our bus to return to Assisi. Enjoy a free afternoon, stroll through the streets of Assisi, or maybe take some time for personal prayer and reflection at the Basilica of San Francisco. Return to your Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Sunday, October 13: Assisi - Return Home
After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport for return flights home.