Medjugorje – Rome

Highlights SummaryDay 1 – Depart USA for Rome.

Day 2 Holy Rome In the Footsteps of Sts. Peter & Paul We arrive in Rome today beginning our visit with Mass at the Tomb of St. Paul. Day 3 Holy Rome St. Peters Basilica Papal Audience
This description is certainly not enough to express the emotions you feel as you descend from the upper church of St. Peter’s – as if we are traveling back in time – to the sacred gravesite of St. Peter. Leaving for the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Venezia and the amazing Pantheon, visiting the Gianicolo, the Piazza Navona, Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain and Castle Sant’Angelo.

Day 4 Roman Relics of Faith Coliseum Santa Maria Maggiore San Giovanni Scala Santa Catacombs Appian Way
Leaving by motor coach this morning via Piazza Venezia’s impressive monument dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II, we continue our walk to the famous Piazza del Campidiglio designed by Michelangelo as our walk through the the Roman Forum concludes as we begin our visit inside the Coliseum. We continue via the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius before arriving at the tomb of St Paul Outside the Walls.*

Our afternoon visit includes the Esquiline Hill, to see the treasures of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, driving by coach to stop at the Holy Staircase, the Lateran Palace and entrance to the Basilica of San Giovanni – the Cathedral of Rome to revere the relics of our faith. Driving along the Ancient Appian Way, where we pass the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis” before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians. (A visit will be made to either the Catacombs of S. Callisto, Santa Domitilla or San Sebastiano depending upon seasonal conditions.) Returning to our hotel we end with a spectacular view of the Baths of Emperor Caracalla.

Day 5 Mystical Assisi
Early morning drive through vineyards and rolling hills to a place where your worries give way to inspiration – Assisi. You ascend to the mystical city of St. Francis and St. Clare encircled by ramparts, hardly changed since the Middle Ages. In the great San Francesco Basilica we descend into his crypt to kneel before his tomb in prayer. We visit the sites where Francis and his wandering band of God’s troubadours’ reinvigorated God’s kingdom on earth. After venerating the incorrupt body of St. Clare at Santa Chiara, you continue on to the Duomo, San Rufino, Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Porziuncola – the roseto into which St. Francis threw himself to overcome temptation, the cave in which he lived and the cross where he received his stigmata. The reminders of St. Francis and St. Clare in all of these places, make much your visit much more real and concrete: the mystery of holiness and the mystery of Christ himself. The enchanting winding streets of this little town easily carry us back to the time of Francis. As we walk along on our guided visit we come to understand, the more that Francis embraced the grace of Christ, the more that Christ shone through him until he bore the marks of Christ on his own body.Day 6 Rome to Medjugorje
Farewell Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica with free time before departing for the airport and your flight to Medjugorje. Day 7 Medjugorje View map of Medjugorje

There is still time. The Blessed Mother still appears every day to three of the remaining six visionaries. We do everything to help you make a fruitful pilgrimage leaving all the details to us. Our arrangements give you the flexibility & freedom to join or not join in pre-arranged meetings. Since 1984 when we led the first group from the USA to Medjugorje, we have always accompanied our pilgrims (see accompanying list) setting the standard which others have copied. Our photos from the early days reflect we have been Devoted….Since The Beginning.
After our arrival in Croatia, stops at outdoor grottos in thanksgiving for our safe journey depend on before arriving in Medjugorje at 12 noon. Since we stay with the visionary’s relatives and in the visionary’s homes – we are welcomed into their home where they prepare your meals – it feels as if you are at home. It’s still the custom to have grandparents and parents’ children with their children in the same house living together. We are close by, only a leisurely 3 minute walk, about 60 feet from St. James Church. We will meet the local villagers and hear them tell of personally seeing a light travel from the hill of apparition across the fields and stop on the church where the visionaries were praying. It seems what Vicka, the visionary, had said in 1991 when she visited the USA and spoke to our group would even apply today: “It’s so evident that those people (pilgrims) are protected by Our Lady. This is so obvious. They don’t have to be afraid of coming to (Medugorje). ”
Day 8 – Medjugorje – A window to heaven
Our guide coordinates meeting the visionaries at their home, conferences, prayer meetings and all devotional events during your stay with detailed itinerary of each days schedules. In 1981 when Fr. Jozo was imprisoned, Fr. Tomislav Pervan became the next pastor of St. James. Since 1984, we have been under the supervision of the Franciscans in Medjugorje. He advised us to have our pilgrims taken care of in Medjugorje not only by a guide approved by the church but by one who lives there as well. Jill Jensen, who was with us on one of our pilgrimage departures to Medjugorje had all that life could offer; she was a bright and attractive young lady who thought that drugs could never happen to her. Then one day in high school she tried marijuana. Soon she was trapped. Once she was hooked, she began to lie, steal, and even ruin the lives of others to satisfy her relentless appetite for drugs. Eventually, she was hooked on cocaine. The drug was so overpowering that she would often hallucinate and literally rip at her hair and her skin. She received a miracle; SHE WAS HEALED – FROM DRUGS – but more importantly, she had a personal conversion. Jill Jensen’s testimony is a dramatic example of how God can take an impossible situation and change it for the better. Today, she is helping other addicts to find hope – conversion – and a way out of their addiction.We even have a photograph taken of her “the day before and the day after” her healing. Be assured the same gift can be yours if you trust and make the journey. Day 9 – A Place Called Peace – Apparition Hill
We follow the path to start the climb up Apparition Hill where they first saw the Blessed Mother. Many times Ivan, Vicka and Marija would often gather with their prayer groups to pray before the Blessed Mother appeared to them. Vicka told us the Blessed Mother had shown her Paradise, Purgatory and Hell and asked her to pray for the souls in Purgatory. On another occasion when Lois and our pilgrims stayed at Jacov’s home he toldus of the time he and others were praying for Fr. Jozo when Fr. Jozo had appeared to him even though he was still imprisoned. The village and Fr. Jozo
Experience the presence of Fr. Jozo at his prayer and healing service (as long as he is available. i.e. not traveling.) at a parish where he is currently assigned. His meditations and service often find us in church at the Hour of Mercy – 3:00 p.m. – the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross. At this hour, Our Lord revealed to St. Faustina, “you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking and to: …immerse yourself in prayer where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. ” There is time to visit the nearby cave of the martyrs’. Returning to the village in time for the Apparition. Day 10 – Return home *subject to change/adjustment11 Days Rome – 5 days Medjugorje 6 daysDay 1- 9 Refer to itinerary above. Day 10 Medjugorje – A time of great grace At the Blue Cross or on the pathway through the fields where the visionaries first ran to hide from the secret police, walking this holy ground frees you and heals you. What graces you will receive. Why would you deny yourself? Historical Catholic Croatia – Dubrovnik

Optional guided visit begins as we drive along the Adriatic Coastline this morning for Dubrovnik. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, it’s a fairy tale city come to life with ramparts and a wooden draw-bridge with no vehicles allowed within its walls. Visit Dubrovnik’s Mala Strana, the Renaissance fortress Monastery of the Holy Savior and the churches of St. Roc and St. Ignatius and incorrupt body of Saint Sylvan. This evening we return in time for dinner and Mass. Day 11 – Return home. We leave after an early breakfast for our return flight home. Connecting Flights meeting point: Please Note: Connecting flights from your hometown are arranged for you. *subject to change/adjustment
Airfares are available from your hometown, send for more details. Accommodations are central locations with families of visionaries Private transfers to/from airportFull breakfast & dinner dailyCenacoloOasis of PeaceApparition Hill – PodbrdoCross Mountain – Mt. KrizevacLocal guide throughout your stayDaily Mass & spiritual devotionsVisit to Fr. Jozo****pending

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