May 23, Friday, DAY 12: ST. PAUL IN ROME – CATACOMBS
This morning, we visit St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of the Saint, where we celebrate Mass and walk through the first Holy Door of our Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimage. It is celebrated by the church to receive blessing and pardon from God and remission of sins. Nearby is the sight of Three Fountains, said to spring up as the Apostle’s head bounced three times after his beheading. We see the Mamertine Prison, where St. Paul and St. Peter were imprisoned before driving along the Appian Way to the famous Church of Quo Vadis, located on the spot where Christ appeared to Peter, and the Saint asked, “Domine, quo vadis? “(Where are you going, Lord?) The Lord replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified for the second time.” St. Peter understood the message and returned to face his martyrdom. We also stop at the Inn, where St. Paul stopped for rest before arriving at the seat of the former Holy Roman Empire and visit the Catacombs, where the early Christians hid, prayed, and buried their dead. The Catacombs of St. Sebastian is of special interest, with remnants of the original basilica dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. Overnight in Rome (B.D)
May 24, Saturday, DAY 13: ROME – VATICAN TREASURES
This morning, we celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (TBC) and walk through the second Holy Door of our pilgrimage. Explore St. Peter’s Basilica during a guided tour (whisper sets included) before our break for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to visit some of the famous Roman sites such as the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Piazza Navone, Borghese Villa and more on your own. Tonight, we have a Festive Dinner with wine and traditional Italian music. Overnight in Rome. (B. Special Dinner)
May 25, Sunday, DAY 14: CHRISTIAN ROME
This morning, we are at the Vatican again, where we are greeted and blessed by the Holy Father during the Sunday Angelus. Following lunch, which is included, enjoy a visit to the center of Western civilization and the heart of modern Italy. The “Eternal City” is where three millennia of Mediterranean civilization exists. The city is full of monuments that are larger than life, which we see during the Christian Rome tour. We visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major to celebrate Mass and walk through our trip’s third Holy Door. Our next stop is the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, where we walk through our pilgrimage’s fourth and final Holy Door. Next door, we say a prayer at the Holy Stairs. The last stop of our busy day is the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome (B.L)
May 26, Monday, DAY 15: RETURN TO USA
After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our flight home (B)