Fr. Anselmo Hernandez France/Italy – December 2025-January 2026

Pilgrimage to France and Italy

Trip Date:
Dec 27, 2025
- Jan 5, 2026
Group Type
Private
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From $3,104
Deposit $500
Hosted by
Fr. Anselmo Hernandez

Trip Overview

Join Fr Anselmo Hernandez on a handcrafted pilgrimage from Lourdes to Rome. Immerse yourself in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, praying at the Grotto of Massabielle with its healing spring as St Bernadette did. From the nineteenth century apparition of Lourdes, journey back to the early Church where you will witness the living testimony of the apostles and martyrs in the basilicas and churches of Rome. This journey of faith is the journey of a lifetime, taking you through Mary and the saints to the heart of the universal Church.

What’s Included?

  • Daily Mass
  • Audio headsets
  • Professional tour escorts (1 in Lourdes and 1 in Rome)
  • Airport transfers and transportation on private motorcoach for Days 2, 5, 6, 8, 10
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary, with 1 glass of wine included at dinners
  • One-way group flight from Toulouse to Rome on Day 5
  • Tickets for included activities: Catacombs, Scavi Tour (pending availability and confirmation)
  • Preparation and follow-up materials

Itinerary

December 27, 2025
  • Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Europe
December 28, 2025
  • Arrive to Toulouse and transfer to Lourdes
  • Check into hotel
  • Welcome Mass in a local church (time permitting)
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Saint Saveur or similar

Meals included: Dinner

December 29, 2025
  • Celebrate Mass at the Shrine
  • Discover the Shrine on your own, including the St. Bernadette’s and Miracles museums, the Chapel of Reconciliation, the Basilica, the Grotto, and the Baths
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Saint Saveur or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

December 30, 2025
  • Morning Mass at Shrine
  • Continue to explore the city and shrine on your own, including Boly Mill (birthplace of St. Bernadette) and the “Cachot” (St. Bernadette’s family home), shops
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Shrine
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and the Torchlight Procession at the Shrine
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Saint Saveur or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

December 31, 2025
  • Transfer to Toulouse airport and fly to Rome
  • Arrive in Rome
  • Celebrate Mass at St. Mary Major and walk through the Holy Door
  • Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight Rome

Accommodations: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

January 1, 2026
  • Visit the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Saint Paul Outside the Walls with the opportunity to venerate the tombs of Sts. Lawrence, Stephen, and Justin Martyr and walk through the Holy Door
  • Mass at St. Sebastian Outside the Walls and tour the ancient Christian catacombs
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

January 2, 2026
  • Mass at St. Peter’s (if possible) and tour of the Basilica, with free time for personal devotions and activities (receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, climb the cupola, etc.) and opportunity to walk through the Holy Door
  • Descend to the tomb of St. Peter during the Scavi Tour (pending availability)
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

January 3, 2026
  • Begin the day venerating the Passion Relics at the Basilica of the Holy Cross
  • Then pray at St. John Lateran Basilica and walk through the Holy Door, followed by Mass
  • Finally, pray on the Holy Stairs before having the rest of the day free to explore the city
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

January 4, 2026
  • Free day to explore Rome’s many neighborhoods and highlights
  • Close the pilgrimage with a final Mass, followed by a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

January 5, 2026
  • Transfer to the airport and depart from Rome

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

  • Lourdes: Hotel Saint Saveur or similar
  • Rome: Casa del Preziosissimo Sangue or similar

Pricing

Package Cost
$3,104

Optional Add-ons

Travel Protection
Quote provided after registration
Single room supplement (limited availability)
$690/person

Pricing listed per person in double rooms. Quoted rates may fluctuate based on accommodation selection and availability. Final pricing may adjust based any significant changes in currency exchange rates. Pricing assumes a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

Flights

Pilgrims are responsible for booking their own flights to/from the pilgrimage using the information below regarding airports and designated arrival/departure times.

  • Arrive by: December 28, 2025
  • Arrival time: Arrive by 12 noon
  • Arrival airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the hotel in one group.
  • Depart on: January 5, 2026
  • Departure time: Depart at or after 11:00 a.m.
  • Departure airport: Rome Airport (FCO)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one group at 5:00 a.m.

More Details

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times? 

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

  • Local, licensed tour guide(s)
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director
  • Airfare to Toulouse on Days 1-2 and departing from Rome on Day 10 (group flight is optional add on if 10 pilgrims or more)
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add on)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Airport transfers to/from U.S. departure city
  • 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

Verso Ministries will administer registration and payment collection from individual pilgrims. Registration can be done directly on the Verso Ministries website whereby pilgrims can make their initial $500 deposit using a debit/credit card. All following payments would be accepted via check, money order, or debit/credit card. Customizable payment plans can be discussed depending on the needs of your group. Suggested payment plan:

To secure your space, Verso requires a group deposit, payable by the group leader/organization. This deposit is non- refundable in the event of cancellation by the entire group. This deposit is refundable back to the group leader/organization if the pilgrimage runs with the required number of full-paying pilgrims.

  • Deposit due upon registration: $500 / person
  • 120 days prior to departure: Final balance due

 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees apply to organizing groups if the original number of pilgrims is reduced below the contracted amount at the rate of the group deposit multiplied by the number of pilgrims reduced. Verso will assess this fee at the 120 day payment deadline. If the group chooses to cancel its pilgrimage in its entirety, Verso Ministries retains the group deposit and will refund individuals amounts paid, depending on when cancellation by the group occurs. If an individual pilgrim chooses to cancel from the pilgrimage, the refund amount will depend on when the pilgrim cancels and is subject to the cancellation schedule below.

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be made in writing (email or letter) to Verso Ministries. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims. 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. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free cancellation*
  • 14 days after deposit & 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.

*Final package pricing may adjust based on confirmed accommodations and/or any significant changes in currency exchange rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I travel with Verso Ministries?

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else.    We believe that everything – from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims – shape the ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all.  We believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, but it’s how you prepare – from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. We shepherd you through the entire process so you can achieve the most transformative experience possible.  We’re not just travel experts; we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.
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Who would I be traveling with on pilgrimage?

If a pilgrimage is open to all, registration is open to any pilgrim wishing to participate. As such, our groups welcome a diverse range of pilgrims, from families and married couples to single travellers and retired adults, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
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What is the latest I can register?

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance – register now and begin your journey!
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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.
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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

Celebrate St. Pope John Paul II’s Message of Love

A basillica that is home to one of the many saints of France.

Finding the Saints of France

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the model pilgrim.

3 Reasons Why Our Lady Is the Model Pilgrim

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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