Arrive in Rome

Welcome to Rome, one of the most magnificent and interesting cities in the world, also known as the “Eternal City”. This afternoon our guide will introduce us to our fellow pilgrims and our priest who will be with us for the rest of the journey. 

We will make our way to Mass, followed by a welcome dinner with wine. This evening we will walk to St. Peter’s Square for Rosary (optional). D

Papal Audience, Trevi Fountain / Piazza Novona, Basilicas of St. John the Lateran and St. Mary Major, Holy Steps

Following breakfast, we will make our way to St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience. (Papal Audience: Is scheduled to take place every Wednesday, pending the schedule of Pope Francis). 

Following the audience, we will make our way to the  built in the 15th Century to mark the terminating point of the Aqua Virgo – a man-made channel erected in 19 B.C or to Piazza Novona to view Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi “Fountain of the Four Rivers.

 After free time for lunch we will visit the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, the Pope’s cathedral church where relics of both Peter and Paul remain under the main altar. It was here that Pope Francis was formally installed as Bishop of Rome. 

Next we cross the street to see the Holy Staircase believed to be from Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem and brought to Rome in the 4th century. Continue to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the most important and the oldest church dedicated to Our Lady. It contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus. We will celebrate Mass, and then make our way to dinner and overnight. B,D

Vatican Museum, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Catacombs

Following breakfast, we will depart to celebrate Mass in the largest church in Christendom, St Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty and a mecca for Christian pilgrims from around the world. Marvel at the Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. 

Following Mass, we will visit of the Vatican Museums, containing a group of the most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics, and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith. We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Raphael Rooms and the most overwhelming Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Masterpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgment. The tour ends as we make our way back into St. Peter’s Basilica. We also visit the tomb of St. John Paul II located at the Vatican. 

There will be free time for lunch, and then we will continue on to visit St Paul. Outside the Walls. Continue our tour via the Appian Way -- the oldest road from Roman times--plus the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Arch of Drusus; Tomb of Celilia Metella, and the catacombs of St Callixtus. We will conclude our day and wonderfulstay in Rome with dinner tonight at a local restaurant in Rome.B,D

Rome - Medjugorje

After a leisurely morning we depart for Rome Airport for your short flight to Medjugorje. Arrive at your European connecting airport where you will board your flight(s) to Dubrovnik, Split or Sarajevo. Upon arrival you will find your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall where you will be greeted by a tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will then take you on the 2.5 hour drive to the village of Medjugorje. Once there you will meet your fellow pilgrims and your spiritual leader. You will also be introduced to your host family in whose comfortable yet modest inn you will be staying for the next four nights. Enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring for the evening. B,D

Medjugorje

Over the next three days you will experience the beauty and peace of the simple village of Medjugorje. During your stay you will have the opportunity to share your faith with pilgrims from all over the world. Our local guide will accompany you during you today in Medjugorje to help you understand the history and layout of the village. Our guide will arrange meetings with the visionaries at their own homes, provided that they are in Medjugorje during your trip and pending their availability.

Here are some of the activities you will have the opportunity to experience during the next two days:

Each morning at 10:00 am you may wish to attend at St. James Church for the English language Mass. On feast days and Sundays English Mass is at noon).

Follow the path up Apparition Hill where the visionaries first encountered Our Lady. Touch and pray before the cross that commemorates the spot where Mary first appeared to the visionaries. Visit and pray at "Blue Cross," which is a place of healings and graces at the base of Apparition Hill.

Each evening at 5:00 pm (6:00 pm daylight savings time) you may join the villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary.

The apparition takes place at 5:40 pm (6:40 pm during daylight savings time) and then stay on for Croatian Mass. Each evening during Croatian Mass there is the Blessing of the sick and blessing of the items you have with you.

You will have the opportunity to climb Krizevac Mountain where in 1933 the villagers built a 30' high cross on the anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion.

The balance of your trip in Medjugorje is meant to provide you with time for a personal retreat. As such, your time in Medjugorje is not designed to be a “tour”, but rather to provide you with time to pray, reflect, and explore on your own as you feel called. On arrival, you will have an orientation tour and our representative will be available should you have any questions or requests, however, you will not have a guide with you throughout your stay in Medjugorje. Daily Mass in English, as well as English confessions are available at St. James Church. During your stay in Medjugorje you will have full discretion over how your time is spent, in order to have the fullest spiritual experience possible. If you would prefer our traditional pilgrimage/tour of Medjugorje, we would recommend you consider our other Medjugorje option which provides a tour escort and spiritual leader throughout your stay.

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Medjugorje

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells we leave by motor coach for onward travel. B