UMBC Italy – May 2025

Pilgrimage to Italy

Trip Date:
May 24, 2025
- Jun 1, 2025
Group Type
Private
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From $2,398
Deposit $500
Hosted by
UMBC Catholic Retrievers

Trip Overview

Join UMBC Catholic Retrievers and Verso Ministries on a pilgrimage to Italy and be transformed by the beauty and universality of the Catholic Church during this historic Holy Year. This handcrafted journey invites you into a prayerful, authentic, and joyful encounter with the centuries-old practice of Jubilee pilgrimages. Visit Rome and Assisi’s major basilicas and churches, enter through the Holy Doors, and embrace the Holy Father’s call to be pilgrims of hope.

What’s Included?

  • Pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
  • Verso Jubilee formation resources
  • Catholic Chaplain
  • Custom booklet for each pilgrim
  • All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
  • Standard accommodations
  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • Audio headsets

Itinerary

May 24, 2025
  • Depart the U.S. and begin your pilgrimage journey
May 25, 2025
  • Arrive Rome, meet up at the accommodations (hotel transfer not included)
  • Mass at Mary Major, then welcome dinner in local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Dinner
May 26, 2025
  • Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed opportunity to walk through the Holy Door (pending availability), tour of the church, and free time for personal devotions
  • Afternoon entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
  • Overnight Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 27, 2025
  • Morning Ancient Rome tour of the Coliseum and Roman Forum
  • Afternoon visits to the Basilica of the Holy Cross, St. John Lateran (including Mass), & the Holy Stairs
  • Evening to explore the city center highlights (Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc. – self-guided)
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 28, 2025
  • Morning Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square (pending Holy Father’s schedule)
  • Afternoon Mass in the catacombs at St. Callixtus
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 29, 2025
  • Day trip to Assisi including tour and Mass
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 30, 2025
  • Free day to explore the city center churches, including Mass
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast
May 31, 2024
  • Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls, followed by free time to explore the city
  • Farewell dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel Pace Helvezia
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
June 1, 2024
  • Transfer to Rome airport and depart for the U.S. (transportation not included)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

  • Rome: Hotel Pace Helvezia

Pricing

Package Cost
$2,398

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$522 /person
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide, meals, transportation, & hotels
$TBD /person
Travel protection
Quote available upon registration*

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection premium is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International”

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

Flights

This pilgrimage includes a group flight. Information is below.

  • Arrive by: May 25, 2025
  • Arrival time: Arrive by 12:00 P.M.
  • Arrival airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
  • Arrival transfer: Transfer to the hotel via taxi or public transit.
  • Depart on: June 1, 2025
  • Departure time: Depart any time on June 1
  • Departure airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
  • Departure transfer: Transfer to the airport via taxi or public transit.

More Details

  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Airport transfers
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

UMBC Catholic Retrievers will administer registration and submit payments to Verso Ministries on behalf of pilgrims.

Rather than each individual booking his or her own flight, Fr. Matt will book a group flight; the breakdown of the cost will be shared on or around October 1, 2024.  A deposit is required to solidify your spot. We anticipate the overall cost will be around $3,100 (it will hopefully be cheaper with overall fundraising) which projects the following timeline:
  • Initial Deposit of $500 (through payment link): October 1, 2024
  • Second deposit of $600 (through payment link): December 1, 2024
  • Third deposit of $600 (through payment link): January 1, 2025
  • Fourth deposit of $700 (through payment link): February 1, 2025
  • Final deposit of $700 (through payment link): March 1, 2025
MAKING YOUR PAYMENTS:
Each month, you may deposit an amount that exceeds the minimum payment due if you so desire; you must talk with Fr. Matt if you will depositing less than the minimum payment due.
Final payment is due by MARCH 1, 2025.

Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of June 2024. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be made in writing (email or letter) to Verso Ministries. Individual pilgrims should cancel with their group leaders, who are then responsible for notifying Verso Ministries in writing (email or letter). Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and are charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*To qualify for free cancellation within 2 weeks of deposit, deposit must be made 180 days or more prior to departure.

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Learn more information about the Jubilee Year and why Jubilee pilgrimage is important in the life of the Church.

 

Staying late? Post-stay options

 

Want help arranging your flights or transfers?

  • Please note: Airport transfers are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need assistance? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
Read More

What is my Pilgrim Portal?

Your Pilgrim Portal is how you will securely share the information we need for your trip. We collect all this information through your “tasks” in your Pilgrim Portal. After booking, you will receive access to your portal and can log in at the link at the top of this page.
Read More

What is the Jubilee Year? Why is it important?

Click here to learn more about the Jubilee Year and why Jubilee pilgrimages are important in the life of the Church. Additionally, check out our Pilgrim Support Center for answers to more frequently asked questions!
Read More

What risks are involved with pilgrimage?

As with any travel, particularly international, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. We monitor travel conditions for the countries our groups visit, and our on-location partners keep us informed of potentially disruptive events, situations, and conditions that might affect travel. If travel to the country is not recommended by the U.S. and/or local authorities, we handle the particulars on a case-by-case basis and update our pilgrims accordingly. To mitigate risk, we encourage all of our pilgrims to purchase travel protection to minimize losses from unforeseen causes, such as travel delays or cancellations and lost baggage.
Read More

Resources

This will be a list of blog articles from their site that the user can view for more information on the location or the trip. We’ll probably need a about 3-5 items listed here

What do you do in Rome during a Jubilee Year?

A metaphor of one of the benefits of going on a pilgrimage, a highway comes into sharp focus through a camera lens.

5 Benefits of Going on a Pilgrimage

How to Journal

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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