Pilgrimage to Rome

Posted on 18 October 2013

Killaloe Pilgrimage to the Canonisations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II from 23 – 30 April led by Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, SMA. 

Staying near the Trevi Fountain in the city centre and visiting the principal holy places of the Eternal City. Also visiting Montecassino and Assisi.  €1,100 per person sharing.  Chaplain: Fr Albert McDonnell. Contact 057 9355050 (mornings only) or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

Insurance Declaration

Itinerary

APRIL 23^RD – 30^TH 2014

€1100 per person sharing

SAMPLE ITINERARY ONLY

This may be changed in the interest of the group

DAY 1: Wednesday - Arrival

Afternoon check in at Dublin Airport. Depart for Rome with Aer Lingus on three hour flight to Rome. Transfer to our hotel located to the south of Rome close to Montecassino Abbey (one and a half hour drive). We will stay here for one night only. Dinner (included) and overnight.

Day 2: Thursday – The Abbey of Montecassino

After breakfast visit the Abbey of Montecassino, considered the “cradle” of Western monasticism. This was St Benedict’s last foundation and became the centre from which Benedictine monks evangelised much of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire. We will visit the tombs of Benedict and his twin sister Scholastica. After our visit we will have time for lunch and then the coach will take us to Hotel Cecil in Rome city centre close to the Spanish Steps. Check in. Free time. Evening walk in the Spanish Steps / Trevi Fountain area. Free time for dinner.

Day 3: Friday – St John Lateran, Irish College, St Paul’s, Catacombs

In the morning the coach will take us to the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the first Christian Basilica and the Cathedral of Rome) where we will have a tour. We will also visit the historic Irish College, located in the area. Free time for lunch in the self-service cafe nearby. Afterwards we will visit the Catacombs of Santa Priscilla for a guided tour followed by Mass. These ancient burial tunnels contain some fascinating examples of the earliest Christian works of art.  Return to the hotel. Free evening.

Day 4: Saturday – St Peter’s Basilica, Baroque Squares of Rome

Mass in St Peter’s Basilica at 8am followed by a tour of the Basilica. We will see the tombs of St Peter and many other popes. After our tour, the coach will drop us along the Tiber near Piazza Navona. We will visit the Pantheon and the tomb of St Catherine of Siena in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Free time for lunch in the area. Return to hotel for a free evening and an early night before a demanding day tomorrow!

Day 5: Sunday – The Canonisation of John XXIII and John Paul II

Today will be completely devoted to attending the canonisations and resting afterwards.

Day 6: Monday – St Mary Major, St. Isodores

Morning Mass in St Mary Major’s Basilica, the principal Marian church in Rome. Visit the Irish Franciscan house of St. Isidore. Free time for lunch. At 7pm depart for a night tour of the city including four course dinner with musical entertainment.

Day 7 : Tuesday - Assisi

Check out of hotel and transfer to Assisi. We will visit the Basilica of St Clare, Piazza del Comune and Chiesa Nuova (which is located on the probable birthplace of St Francis).  Free time for lunch. At 3pm we will celebrate Mass in the lower basilica of St Francis, close to the tomb of St Francis. The upper basilica is covered in Giotto’s frescoes on the life of St Francis and is considered the great artistic masterpiece of Umbria.  Check in at our hotel. Dinner. After dinner optional walk to the Porziuncola, the first Franciscan community and the place where St Francis died.  

Day 8: Wednesday – Porziuncola, Transfer to airport

Morning Mass in the Porziuncola. Transfer to Rome airport for flight home.

Included in the price:

• Return flight (Dub-Rome-Dub).
• 7 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels on a B&B basis, plus 3 dinners
• Full time accompaniment by a Cultural Connections tour leader.
• Coaching for all the excursions mentioned on the itinerary
• Guided tours of all places visited
• All taxes (governmental and local).

NOT Included:

• Single room supplement at €60 per night.
• Entrance fee to Catacombs (€8)
• Travel Insurance. We can arrange this at a cost of 35 euro per person

HOW TO BOOK:

1. Ask your group leaders for a booking form.

2. Fill out your booking form having read our Terms & Conditions.

3. Submit the deposit  of €300 made out to Tom Mannion Travel  and booking form to:  Cultural Connections Ltd. Newtown, Rahan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

ROME IS HEAVILY BOOKED FOR THESE DATES AND SINGLE ROOMS ARE LIMITED TO 5 FOR THIS GROUP