Pilgrimages

Join Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a pilgrimage! The current trip being planned is for 5 nights in Rome and 2 nights in Assisi, Italy. Contact Father John Zimmerman if you are interested in joining us on this pilgrimage.

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. View from the upper level of Castel San’t Angelo, Rome, Italy

Itinerary (Rome/Assisi)

SUN, 4 OCT, DAY 1: ACROSS THE ATLANTIC 

  • Depart today on board our overnight transatlantic jet flight to Rome, arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc. 

MON, 5 OCT, DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN ROME ~ SCAVI TOUR ~ ST. PETER’S BASILICA 

  • After arriving in Rome’s Airport (FCO), collect luggage at baggage claim; meet our pilgrimage director; then travel to our guesthouse and check in;
  • Time to freshen up;
  • Welcome Mass in the guesthouse chapel followed by a brief orientation; 
  • Lunch on our own;
  • Afternoon trip to the side entrance of the Vatican for a privately guided tour of the Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica (the “Scavi Tour”);
  • The tour concludes in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica, and a visit to the main Basilica above;
  • In the evening enjoy a festive group welcome dinner (included) served with local wine

TUES, 6 OCT, DAY 3: MAJOR BASILICAS ~ NEARBY CHURCHES ~ OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP ICON ~ SCALA SANTA

  • After breakfast, motorcoach tour of Catholic Rome with stops at the major Papal Basilicas and other religious sites of the city. 
  • Celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major;
  • Across the street, visit Santa Prassede, where the pillar upon which Christ was scourged is kept;
  • A visit to Sant’Alfonso, a Neo-Gothic shrine that houses the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Inside this exact church is where Miss. Charlotte M. Thompson was baptized and received into the Church (she is the patron and major donor who gave land and financed the construction of our parish in 1914);
  • Make our way to the Basilica of Santa Croce to see the relics of Jesus’ Passion; 
  • Ascend the Scala Santa; 
  • After lunch, visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome; a major relic here is the “mensa” from the table used at the Last Supper;
  • Travel to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls & pray before St. Paul’s tomb;
  • Return to the hotel – free evening and dinner on our own. 

WED, 7 OCT, DAY 4: PAPAL AUDIENCE ~ HISTORIC CITY CENTER 

  • Early breakfast and then set out for St. Peter’s Square to get seats for Wednesday’s Papal Audience; have any religious objects blessed;
  • Afterwards make our way to central Rome for lunch and a leisure walking tour of the historic city center;
  • Visit some beloved sites of Rome, including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon (external view), the papal tailor Gammarelli, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and the Trevi Fountain;
  • Afternoon Mass at the historic Jesuit church in the Gesú;
  • Free evening with dinner on our own

THURS, 8 OCT, DAY 5: VATICAN MUSEUMS ~ SISTINE CHAPEL ~ FREE AFTERNOON 

  • Morning Mass and breakfast in guesthouse chapel
  • Travel to Vatican City for a privately guided tour of the Vatican Museums, among the largest magnificent museums in the world; this includes the majestic Sistine Chapel, where conclaves are held to elect new popes
  • Lunch on our own in the neighborhood & a free afternoon to rest and relax, shop for souvenirs, or explore the city;
  • Dinner on our own to explore dining options.

FRI, 9 OCT, DAY 6: JOURNEY TO ASSISI ~ ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS ~ PORTIUNCULA ~ WINERY TOUR, TASTING, & 4-COURSE DINNER 

  • Early breakfast followed by motorcoach journey to Assisi;
  • Visit and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels which houses St. Francis’ “Portiuncula” chapel that he rebuilt with his own hands;
  • After Mass, venture to the hilltop medieval city of Assisi & check into our hotel followed by free time for dining, shopping, and wandering the streets;
  • Evening inludes a spectacular winery tour, tasting, and 4-course Umbrian dinner (included) at our favorite winery, Tili Vini.
  • Overnight in Assisi

SAT, 10 OCT, DAY 7: BASILICA OF ST. CLARE ~ CATHEDRAL ~ ST. CARLO ACUTIS ~ BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS 

  • Morning visit to the Basilica of St. Clare and celebrate Mass;
  • Here, take time to pray at the San Damiano Crucifix, the crucifix that God used to speak to Francis instructing him to “Rebuild My Church”;
  • Conclude visit with prayer before the remains of St. Clare;
  • Up the hill to visit the Cathedral & the baptismal font where St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized;
  • Down the hill, to visit the nearby church of Santa Maria Maggiore & pray before the relics of St. Carlo Acutis
  • Lunch;
  • Conclude time in Assisi with a visit to the vast Basilica of St. Francis & take time to visit & pray at St. Francis’ tomb; Time to visit the gift shop & attached relics museum;
  • Free time with dinner on our own to explore local dining options. Overnight in Assisi.

SUN, 11 OCT, DAY 8: DEPART ASSISI ~ CATACOMBS OF SAN CALLISTO ~ FREE AFTERNOON 

  • Breakfast then check out, then board our bus to return to Rome;
  • Visit the Catacombs of San Callisto, a glimpse of the Early Christian communities and how they buried their martyrs before Christianity was legalized
  • Mass in the catacombs;
  • Check in to our accommodations in Rome;
  • Lunch on our own and a free afternoon for rest or exploration, with time to pack
  • Evening festive farewell dinner served with local dishes and wine. Overnight in Rome

MON, 12 OCT, DAY 9: OUR JOURNEY HOME 

  • Early Mass and breakfast followed by check-out of our guesthouse
  • Board our bus and return to the Rome International Airport (FCO) for our return flights

PRICING:

Double occupancy Rate – $3,850*

Single occupancy Rate – $4,850*

*Airfare not included

**Please note we can do a group flight option but we have time to determine if that is a request. Flights are typically an additional $1,200 per person and price is subject to change.

Rate includes:

  • 5 nights lodging in a centrally located religious guesthouse in Rome
  • 2 nights lodging in a centrally located 4-star hotel within medieval Assisi
  • All tours and transfers in an air-conditioned deluxe motorcoach (53-seater)
  • All breakfasts and three dinners
    • Including a winery tour, tasting, and traditional 4-course Umbrian dinner
    • Wine and bottled water at all included dinners
  • Tips for guesthouse staff and restaurants (for included meals)
  • Admission tickets and private tours through all shrines, monasteries, museums, and historical sites on our itinerary
  • Whisper headsets
  • Tickets to the Wednesday audience with the Holy Father
  • A dedicated pilgrimage escort & guide for the entire duration of the pilgrimage
  • Daily Mass, confessions, and spiritual guidance with Fr. John Zimmerman
  • Two pre-departure information meetings
  • A custom neck wallet and luggage tag for each pilgrim

Rate does not include:

  • Meals not mentioned above
  • Tips for the guide & driver (estimated €100 total)
  • Travel insurance (optional, but highly recommended)

PLEASE NOTE: 

  • This itinerary is tentative and subject to change
  • More details are available in the parish office