Rome Itinerary

Depart U.S. on Monday, November 30, for an overnight flight to Rome (FCO)

DAY 1 - Tuesday, Dec. 1
Arrive Rome
Walking tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica

DAY 2 - Wednesday, Dec. 2
Papal audience - St. Peter’s Square

DAY 3 - Thursday, Dec. 3
Vatican Gardens
Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel

DAY 4 - Friday, Dec. 4
Santa Pressede
Santa Maria Maggiore
Pantheon
Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Piazza Navona

DAY 5 - Saturday, Dec. 5
Vigil Mass - Divine Mercy Church
Saturday Night Adoration - St. Peter’s Basilica

DAY 6 - Sunday, Dec. 6
Porta Portese Market
Noon Angelus Blessing by Pope Leo X1V - St. Peter’s Square

DAY 7 - Monday, Dec. 7
Walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere

DAY 8 - Tuesday, Dec. 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
7 a.m. Firefighters place wreath and flowers at Marian statue at Spanish Steps
8 a.m. Mass at Basilica of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte

Lunch at Roma Termini
Travel by train to Assisi

Assisi Itinerary

DAY 8 - Tuesday, Dec. 8 (continued)
Travel by train to Assisi - arrive Assisi 3 p.m.
Visit tomb of St. Carlo Acutis
Christmas Tree and Nativity lighting ceremony

DAY 9 - Wednesday, Dec. 9

DAY 10 - Thursday, Dec. 10


Travel by train to Florence

Florence Itinerary

DAY 10 - Thursday, Dec. 10 (continued)
Travel by train to Florence - arrive Florence 3 p.m.
Mercato Centrale

DAY 11 - Friday, Dec. 11
Morning walking tour, with native Florentines
Convent of San Marco (Fra Angelico frescoes)
Accademia Gallery to see David (optional)
7 p.m. Vasari Corridor

DAY 12 - Saturday, Dec. 12
Free day to explore, possibly Galleria degli Uffizi (optional)
4:30 - 6:30 Confession at The Duomo
Santa Croce Christmas Market

DAY 13 - Sunday, Dec. 13
10:15 a.m. Mass at Santi Apostoli
Market and lunch - Piazza Santo Spirito

Travel by train to Rome - arrive Rome 5 p.m.

ROME

Visit life-size nativity and Christmas markets in St. Peter’s Square

Spend night in Rome, near St. Peter’s Square

DAY 14 - Monday, Dec. 14
Early departures by private transport to Rome Airport

Arrive U.S. late afternoon/evening

Who is this pilgrimage for?

Women, who are:

  • Cradle Catholics

  • Reverts

  • Christians of other faith traditions

  • People drawn to beauty and desiring renewal

This pilgrimage is for women seeking to regenerate and deepen their relationship with God. We will spend a lot of time in Catholic churches.

Your Guides

Hello, we’re Kelly and Pat, friends and parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex, North Carolina.

We’re excited to bring a group of six women to Rome, Assisi, and Florence for an Advent pilgrimage, a reset in the new year of the Church.

Pilgrimage changes us because it interrupts ordinary life. Italy gives us permission to slow down long enough to remember that we were made for beauty, communion, holiness, and ultimately Heaven.

Begin a Conversation

Share your thoughts and questions. We invite your curiosity. Let’s discern together if this is the right pilgrimage and right time for you.