Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our overnight flights to Rome. Meals and drinks will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Rome, we will be met by our Roman tour guide, who will be with us until we depart on our cruise. Transfer to St. Paul Outside the Walls., one of the four major basilicas and home to the first set of Holy Doors we will walk through. Though it was destroyed by a fire in 1823, it was originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul’s tomb and was rebuilt in the 19th century exactly as it was before the fire. We then journey into the lives of the martyrs as we visit the Catacombs. Here Christians celebrated the Mass in secret and buried the martyrs, including several popes. Afterwards, proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D, Mass) Overnight Rome

The Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs, are prayed this morning by climbing them on your knees because they are so sacred. Christ walked on these 28 marble stairs at the home of Pontius Pilate to be condemned to death. For those who cannot climb the stairs on their knees there are other stairs available for walking up that also lead to the chapel at the top. Our prayerful experience continues with a visit to St. John Lateran, the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic faithful and the oldest basilica in Europe. Walk through our second set of Holy Doors. Proceed down the street to the Basilica of San Clemente, housing a fresco of an early Mass – one of the earliest depictions of the Eucharistic celebration. We then enjoy an inside visit of the Colosseum before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Rome

Our day today begins with wonder and awe as we steep ourselves in the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, which beckons us into its interior through the arms of Bernini’s Colonnade. Marvel at Michelangelo’s Pieta and pray at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel renovated by St. John Paul II. We will also walk through our final set of Holy Doors. Afterwards, we will make our way to the cruise terminal, in order to board and settle in before our 5p departure. (B, D, Mass) Overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or sign up for an optional excursion.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or sign up for an optional excursion.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or enjoy the restful day at sea.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or sign up for an optional excursion.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or sign up for an optional excursion.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

Partake in activities on board the ship or sign up for an optional excursion.
(B, L, D, Mass) Meals and overnight onboard cruise ship

After an early morning disembarkation at Ravenna we will be met at the pier by our local guide and transfer to Ravenna proper. Here we visit the Basilica di San Vitale, a 6th century church on the UNESCO World Heritage List with Byzantine mosaics and architecture, followed by the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare, built in the 6th century. After lunch, we travel north to Venice where journey to the church of San Giacomo di Rialto, commonly called Chiesa di San Giacometto, meaning “little Giacomo.” Though small in stature, it is big in importance for Venice. Stories say it is the oldest church in Venice, originally built by a carpenter in 421. Afterwards we’ll have some free time to explore the Rialto Market and the surrounding area before checking into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (D, Mass) Overnight Venice

Today we journey to the spectacular epicenter of Venice – St. Mark’s Square – around which Venetian life revolves. Called the “drawing room of Europe,” by Napoleon, the square gets its name from St. Mark’s Basilica, the stunning church where the body of St. Mark the Evangelist is buried. We have ample time to visit and pray in this intricately designed cathedral of 85,000 square feet, five domes, and beautiful golden mosaics. The famous Doges Palace awaits us next. Pure Venetian and built for the rulers of Venice, we wander its opulent halls before crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs. This evening we enjoy our farewell dinner before returning to our hotel for overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Venice

Transfer to the airport this morning for our departure, bringing with us all the memories and graces of this pilgrimage.

* There will be a variety of optional shore excursions offered by the cruise ship while docked at these locations and these excursions are NOT included in the pilgrimage cost.