“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”- St. Augustine

Classic Italy Pilgrimage
“Women Saints Through the Centuries”

Join Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages in this unique opportunity with Deborah Tomlinson, on a sacred journey through Rome and nearby areas, encountering Our Lady and the feminine genius’ of the female saints, leaders and benefactors of the early Church and Rome.

During our time in Rome we will be staying at the beautiful Villa Serenella, a stately, typically Roman villa-turned- monastery surrounded by 13 acres of olive groves, pine trees, and walking paths. Situated outside of the city, the Villa Serenella is a perfect place to retreat to and relax after a day of touring the city!

what is the villa serenella?

Pilgrimage Overview

Spend eight (8) nights at the Villa Serenella, the Maronite monastery in Rome
Meet Dr. Robert Moynihan, leading Vatican analyst and founder and editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, Deborah Tomlinson, Chief Operating Officer, and friends of Inside the Vatican magazine
Gain insight into the workings of the Vatican from Dr. Moynihan

DAYS 1 THROUGH 3: ROME

Enjoy a private tour of St. Peter’s Square
Enjoy a visit to the Basilica of Santo Spirito, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Rome
Visit the 4 major Basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul’s-Outside-the-Walls
Tour the Churches of Sts. Prassedes and Pudentiana, the latter being the first papal residence and the site of a Eucharistic Miracle
Visit the Church of Three Fountains, St. Sebastian’s and the Domino Quo Vadis church and learn of their importance in the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Visit the lofty Victorian-gothic church of San Alfonso and venerate The Miraculous Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Venerate and/or ascend on your knees the Holy Stairs near the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Visit Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, the church containing relics of the Passion from Jerusalem
Attend a Wednesday Papal Audience as a guest of Inside the Vatican magazine
Travel along the Appian Way
Visit the site of a Marian apparition, the Grotto of our Lady of Revelations

DAY 4: CASTEL GANDOLFO AND LAKE ALBANO (DAY TRIP)

Castel di Leva: visit the Shrine of Mother of Divine Love
Castel Gandolfo: site of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo (summer residence and vacation retreat of the Pope), now a museum and home to one of our favorite restaurants

DAY 5: ROME

Spend a morning at Campo De’ Fiori (Field of Flowers), an open market to browse and/or enjoy a cup of coffee

Enjoy a walking tour, encountering the Bridgettine Sisters and the relics of St. Bridget, ultimately arriving at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, where the first public Mass may have been held

DAY 6: ASSISI (DAY TRIP)

Tour the Basilica of St. Francis and visit his tomb; attend Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels and pray in St. Francis’ Portiuncula
Visit the Basilica of St. Clare and pray at her tomb
Enjoy a walking tour of Assisi

DAYS 7 and 8: ROME

Attend Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
Attend a Sunday Angelus with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square
Enjoy a walking tour of Baroque Rome led by Dr. Moynihan visiting the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Basilica of St. Augustine, the Piazza Navona and the Basilica of Sant’ Andrea della Fratte to view six Caravaggio paintings and the Madonna Del Popolo, the miraculous image of Our Lady painted by St. Luke
Visit the Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, where Our Lady appeared to Alphonse Ratisbonne as she appears on the Miraculous Medal
Visit the site of the miracle of The Floating Stone Madonna
Enjoy a guided private Faith and Art Tour of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums
Visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Basilica where the remains of St. Catherine of Siena are buried
Explore the Catacombs of St. Priscilla, with a private Mass in the catacombs