Join us on this 8-day pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year, the Holy Year in Rome and the Vatican city. The 4 major basilicas in Rome (St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St John Lateran, Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and Basilica of St Mary Major) have a papal alter and a holy door that is opened only for the duration of the Holy Year, making this a very special year to embark on a pilgrimage here. Jesus was quoted saying "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be saved" (Jn 10:9). Plenary indulgence can be gained by entering through the holy doors. On this pilgrimage, we will see a vast wealth of religious shrines, ancient and beautiful architecture, Renaissance exhibitions, sample exquisite food and good wine. In Rome, we experience the General Papal audience with Pope Francis (when he is in residence). Also, a guided visit to see the four major Basilicas of Rome. After Rome, we move on to a historical city pervaded by the spirit of St. Francis, viewing the Basilica of St Francis and his tomb. We finish our pilgrimage in San Giovanni where we see the Shrine of Padre Pio, his cell and where he said Mass.
UK - Rome
Fly to Rome on our direct flight from London with easyJet. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel in Rome where we will stay for three nights.
Rome - Papal Audience & St Peter’s Basilica
After breakfast, we meet our tour escort in the hotel lobby and we leave the hotel for St Peter’s Basilica to attend the Papal Blessing in the Square (subject to the Holy Father being available). Free time for lunch and then afterwards we have a guided tour of St Peter’s Basilica, the largest of all the Catholic churches. We explore this wonderful basilica and the grounds and visit the Crypt and view the tombs of St Peter and recent Popes. We spend the rest of the afternoon here before returning to the hotel. Evening dinner.
Full day of touring in Rome
Today, after breakfast, we have a guided visit of the remaining three major basilicas in Rome; the holy doors will also be open in the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the Basilica of St Mary Major and Archbasilica of St John Lateran. Firstly, the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, the second largest church in Rome, which houses the tomb of St Paul kept under the main altar. Secondly the Basilica of St Mary Majors, which houses the true relics of the manger from Bethlehem in which Jesus was laid following his birth. Thirdly St Peters in Chains Basilica to view Michelangelo’s famous Statue of Moses and lastly St John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome which is the oldest, and the first among the four great "patriarchal" basilicas of Rome. Across the road from here we make a quick visit to the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa). According to tradition these are the steps our Lord walked up on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate. Return to our hotel. Evening dinner.
Rome - Cascia - Assisi
Check-out of our hotel after breakfast and travel to Assisi. To break up our journey to Assisi, about halfway, we stop and visit the Shrine of St Rita in Cascia. Pope Leo XIII canonised St Rita in 1900 and she was bestowed the title "Patroness of Impossible Causes." Upon arrival, we have free time to look around this stunning location as well as time for lunch. Afterwards, Mass in St Rita’s church and then we continue our journey. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel for two nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Assisi
After breakfast, we will have a walking tour of Assisi. Firstly to the Basilica of St Clare which houses her incorrupt body. Clare of Assisi left her family’s palace in 1212 and was received by St Francis (with other young women) at the Porziuncola, thereafter establishing the Order of Poor Clares. One of the chapels here contains the crucifix that bowed its head and ordered St. Francis to “repair God’s Church.” Afterwards, we visit St Mary Major Parish in Assisi, also known as the Shrine of the Renunciation, which refers to the time when St. Francis stripped himself of his clothing in front of his father as a way of renouncing his wealth. Blessed Carlo Acutis’ tomb currently resides here (today being Aug 2024); Carlo Acutis, who had a passion for computers and the Eucharist, died at the young age of 15 in 2006 from leukemia and we are all awaiting news of his upcoming canonization which is expected at some point in 2025. We will then tour the Basilica of St Francis, built in 1228 to house the Relics of the saint. The “upper” basilica houses beautiful frescoes of Giotto. Mass here followed by lunch. We then drive to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels (Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli), a papal minor basilica situated in the plain at the foot of the hill of Assisi. The basilica was constructed around the very ancient chapel; the Porziuncola, named after the piece of land it was built on, was venerated for an apparition of angels within it and was originally the property of the Benedictines of Subasio. After a long period of abandonment, the little church Porziuncola was restored by St. Francis. It was here the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation to live in poverty amongst the poor. It was here he founded the Order of Friars Minor (1209), "establishing here his home" and the church thus became the most sacred place for the Franciscans. St Francis died here in 1226. After our tour, we return to the hotel for evening dinner.
Assisi - St Michaels Cave - San Giovanni
After breakfast we leave Assisi and head to San Giovanni Rotondo We stop via the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel and visit St Michael’s Cave where the Angels appeared three times in the years 490, 492 and 1656. Mass here. After, we check-in to our hotel in San Giovanni for two nights. Evening dinner.
San Giovanni
After breakfast, we visit The Shrine of St Pio, the second most visited Shrine in the world (second only to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico). Here we visit Santa Maria Delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) where St Pio’s Tomb is kept and on view in the crypt; his Cell; his Confessional from where he performed so many of his miracles, and the choir loft where he received his Sacred Stigmata in 1918 - he suffered from these wounds until his death on September 23, 1968. His well-preserved personal belongings can be viewed here including thousands of letters he received for just one year displayed on the wall. Mass will be arranged and we will do stations of the Cross. Dinner at the hotel.
San Giovanni Rotondo - London
Breakfast in the hotel. Mass if time allows. Transfer to Bari airport for our direct flight back to London.
The booking deadline at this price is 31/10/2024. If you are booking after this date, please contact us first to confirm the current price.
A deposit payment of £350 with your completed booking form will confirm your place on this tour. The final balance is due 2 months prior to the departure date.
We’ll mail your travel pack around two weeks before travelling, including your flight information, boarding passes (if applicable), general information booklet, hymn and prayer booklets, name badge, lanyard and luggage label.
All Saints Travel is an ATOL licence holder (no. 6049). In the very unlikely event of company insolvency, you are guaranteed a refund and repatriation back to the UK through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Travel Trust Fund (ATTF). Please visit www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection for further information.
It’s your responsibility to ensure you have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of return, in addition to any visas required to travel to the relevant countries. Please call us on 01793 881166 for further information.
For the latest travel advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
While people of all ages are invited to travel on this tour, a reasonable level of fitness is required in order to keep pace with the group. There may be extended periods of standing and walking on hard surfaces.
It’s compulsory to have adequate travel insurance for your journey. You have the option of purchasing cover from Global Travel Insurance when booking with us, or you can buy your insurance independently.
