Day 6 – September 28: Peter in Rome 

After breakfast, we will take the Scavi Tour (pending confirmation), exploring the 1st century Christian graveyard beneath St. Peter’s Basilica and have the opportunity to pray at the bones of St. Peter. Mass at the glorious Clementine Chapel (pending confirmation) directly above the bones of St. Peter. After lunch, we will tour the Vatican Museum and Gallery, Raphael’s Room, and the Sistine Chapel. After dinner, enjoy an optional night walking tour of Rome, including the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain (B, D).

Day 7 – September 29: Ancient Rome 

Early morning Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by time to explore the basilica. In the afternoon, tour ancient Rome, including the Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, Colosseum, and the Arches of Titus and Constantine to learn about the Roman context within which the Catholic Church was born and saw its early expansion (B, D).

Day 8 – September 30: Paul in Rome 

After breakfast, our chaplain will celebrate Mass in the beautiful Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall (pending confirmation). In the afternoon, we will explore the Catacombs of San Sebastian and San Callistus, the Appian Way, and the Quo Vadis Chapel (B, D).

Day 9 – October 1: The Roman Basilicae 
In the morning, we will begin our tour of the most important Roman basilicae with a visit to St. John Lateran and climb the Scala Sancta (the steps which Christ ascended to meet Pontius Pilate, brought to Rome by St. Helena). After lunch, Mass will be celebrated at Santa Maria Maggiore, and visit as many of the great basilicae as time allows: Santa Prudenziana, San Pietro in Vincoli, San Lorenzo, and Santa Cecelia in Trastevere (B, D).

Day 10 – October 2: Behind the Walls of the Vatican 

Pending the Holy Father’s schedule, we begin the day with a Papal Audience, followed by a visit to a Roman Dicastery, perhaps the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and (we’re hoping) the chance to meet with a member of the curia and take a walk behind the Vatican walls. (All pending schedules and confirmation.) In the afternoon, we will travel outside Rome to Ostia Antica, one the best excavation sites of ancient Rome in all of Italy. We will visit Sant’ Aurea and learn about the history of St. Augustine and St. Monica, before returning to our hotel in Rome (B, D).

Day 11 – October 3: Later Events in the Life of the Church 

In the morning we will visit the churches of St. Clement, San Gregorio and Gregory’s monastery, as well as the Aventine Hill to discuss the rise of the Papacy. In the afternoon, we will celebrate Mass at the Tomb of St. Philip Neri and take a walking tour to the Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena in the stunning Dominican church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. We complete our pilgrimage with a Farewell Dinner (B, D).

Day 12 – October 4: Rome / USA 

Morning departure for the Rome airport for our return flight home. (B)

NOTES:  While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to pending schedule confirmations, and/or, due to changes beyond our control. All Mass times and locations listed are subject to confirmation.