Trusted Fraternal Life Italy – October 2026

Pilgrimage to Italy

Trip Date:
Oct 19, 2026
- Oct 27, 2026
Group Type
Private
Activity Level
Difficult
Price
From $3,895
Deposit $500
Hosted by
Trusted Fraternal Life
or call us at (574) 383-9396

Trip Overview

Trusted Fraternal Life and our family of brands—Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor, Woman’s Life and Catholic United Financial—warmly invite you to join us on a pilgrimage of a lifetime to Italy. In partnership with Verso Ministries, we’ll walk in the footsteps of saints and visit revered holy sites in Rome, Vatican City and Assisi. This sacred journey is more than just travel—it’s an opportunity to join with fellow community members for spiritual renewal, deep connection and meaningful reflection. As part of our commitment to making this experience accessible, a travel stipend will be available to qualifying members.

What’s Included?

  • Local, licensed, professional tour guide(s)
  • Accomodations in double-occupancy rooms (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Daily Mass
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Private transportation on motorcoach
  • Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
  • Audio headset for each pilgrim
  • Preparation and follow-up materials
  • Roundtrip airfare (optional add-on)
  • Airport/hotel transfers (if arriving/departing on group flight)
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (included if group is 30+ pilgrims)

Itinerary

October 19, 2026
  • Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Rome
October 20, 2026
  • Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport
  • Transfer to St Paul Outside the Walls, where St Paul is buried, and celebrate an Opening Mass
  • Welcome and introduction from Cardinal Harvey (pending the Cardinal’s availability)
  • Time to pray at the tomb of St Paul and visit the Basilica gift shop
  • Transfer to the hotel to check-in and freshen up
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome

 

Accommodations: NYX Hotel Rome or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

October 21, 2026
  • Papal Audience (pending the Holy Father’s schedule)
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Mass at the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where a relic of the table of the Last Supper is held
  • Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and venerate the relics from Christ’s Passion
  • Finish the day at the Basilica of San Clemente, run by the Irish Dominicans, with entrance to the archaeological excavations beneath the Basilica
  • Continue exploring during free time, with dinner on your own
    • Consider visiting the sites of Ancient Rome, including the Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Overnight in Rome

 

Accommodations: NYX Hotel Rome or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

October 22, 2026
  • Start the day with a guided walking tour of the churches and piazzas of central Rome
    • Stops can include Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Santa Maria sopra Minerva (with the
      tomb of St Catherine of Siena), Sant’Agostino (with the tomb of St Monica), and the Gesu (with the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola)
  • Mass at the Basilica of St Mary Major, home of a relic of the Bethlehem manger and the tomb of Pope Francis
  • Group lunch at a local restaurant
  • Free for the rest of the day to continue exploring the sites, sounds, and tastes of Rome
  • Overnight in Rome

 

Accommodations: NYX Hotel Rome or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

October 23, 2026
  • Mass in the Crypt at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a tour of the Basilica, with highlights such as Michelangelo’s Pieta
  • Time to pray and visit the Basilica gift shop, followed by lunch on your own
  • Scavi Tour (pending availability – itinerary will be adjusted to accommodate the tour)
  • Late afternoon entrance to the Vatican Museums, home of the Sistine Chapel
  • Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome

 

Accommodations: NYX Hotel Rome or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 24, 2026
  • Depart by bus for Assisi
  • Celebrate Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli and see the Porziuncola, where St Francis founded the Franciscans and where he died
  • Continue on to Upper Assisi with time for lunch in town
  • After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the Old City, including the Basilica of St. Francis, where St Francis is buried and decorated with murals by Giotto, and Basilica of St. Clare, where the San Damiano Crucifix is held along with the tomb of St Clare
  • Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Assisi

 

Accommodations: Hotel Cenacolo or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 25, 2026
  • Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis
  • Group lunch in a local restaurant
  • Free afternoon in Assisi to explore the peaceful medieval town and visit Santa Maria Maggiore and the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, San Damiano Monastery, the Cathedral of San Rufino, Chiesa Nuova, or the fortress of Rocca Maggiore
  • Dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Assisi

 

Accommodations: Hotel Cenacolo or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

October 26, 2026
  • Free day to continue to explore Assisi, with a Closing Mass at the Basilica of St. Clare
  • Transfer back to Rome in the late afternoon
  • Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome near the airport

 

Accommodations: Hotel Isola Sacra or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 27, 2026
  • Transfer to the airport and depart on your journey home

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

Pricing

Package Cost
$3,895

Optional Add-ons

Chicago Group Flight
$1,219 / person
Minneapolis Group Flight
$1,301 / person
Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,599 / person
Prepaid gratuities
$140 / person
Travel Protection
Quote provided after registration*

Registration for this pilgrimage is restricted to those who have received a special invitation from Trusted Fraternal Life. Anyone who registers that is not on the invitation list will be cancelled off the pilgrimage and refunded their deposit.

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.

The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited. Rates assume a minimum of 40 full-paying pilgrims. If the group is less than 40 pilgrims, the package price will increase by $100/person.

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

Note: Financial members of the Trusted Fraternal Life family of brands will receive a $500 subsidy towards their final balance. Financial members should proceed with registering and paying the deposit. The subsidy will be added to their final invoice.

Led by

Spiritual Director
Monsignor Ted Bertagni
Monsignor Ted Bertagni
The Rev. Monsignor Bertagni was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1978 in Omaha, Neb., and was invested as a Prelate of Honor by Pope St. John Paul II in 1999. A St. Louis University graduate with advanced degrees from Rome’s Pontifical Liturgical Institute, he has lived and served in Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. After two decades as a parish priest and professor, he dedicated his ministry to serving the poor. Commissioned in 2016 as a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis, he continues his pastoral and preaching ministry through Cross Catholic Outreach and serves as liaison to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
President and CEO, Trusted Fraternal Life
John Borgen
John Borgen
John brings a warm, relational spirit to his leadership and to every pilgrimage he joins. Since coming to Trusted Fraternal Life in 2009, he has been guided by a deep commitment to servant leadership and a passion for helping families secure their financial futures. A graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, John’s Benedictine formation continues to shape his belief in faith, hospitality and the power of shared journey. He looks forward to traveling alongside members as fellow pilgrims—united in reflection, connection and the traditions that bring our fraternal family together.
Director of Member Engagement, Trusted Fraternal Life
Sally Krochalk
Sally Krochalk
As pilgrimage coordinator, Sally plays an essential role in planning and supporting members throughout the journey. Having served Trusted Fraternal Life for 30 years, she has helped lead previous pilgrimages and brings a welcoming, guest‑centered approach to her work. From coordinating pre-departure details to assisting travelers during the trip, Sally is dedicated to creating a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.

Flights

There is an optional group flight available for this pilgrimage. Details are below. Pilgrims may also arrange their own airfare based on the designated arrival/departure times provided.

Arrival Flight Information

  • United Airlines Flight #970
    • Departs Chicago (ORD) at 3:50 P.M.
    • Arrives Rome (FCO) at 7:55 A.M. (next day, October 20)

Departure Flight Information

  • United Airlines Flight #971
    • Departs Rome (FCO) at 9:45 A.M.
    • Arrives Chicago (ORD) at 2:10 P.M.

Hotel Transfer Information

  • Pilgrims will be transferred between the Rome airport and the hotel in one group.

Arrival Flight Information

  • United Airlines Flight #576
    • Departs Minneapolis (MSP) at 11:32 A.M.
    • Arrives Chicago (ORD) at 12:51 P.M.
  • United Airlines Flight #970
    • Departs Chicago (ORD) at 3:50 P.M.
    • Arrives Rome (FCO) at 7:55 A.M. (next day, October 20)

Departure Flight Information

  • United Airlines Flight #971
    • Departs Rome (FCO) at 9:45 A.M.
    • Arrives Chicago (ORD) at 2:10 P.M.
  • United Airlines Flight #1888
    • Departs Chicago (ORD) at 6:10 P.M.
    • Arrives Minneapolis (MSP) at 7:34 P.M.

Hotel Transfer Information

  • Pilgrims will be transferred between the Rome airport and the hotel in one group.

Arrival Flight Information

  • Arrive by: October 20, 2026
  • Arrival time: By 8:00 A.M.
  • Arrival airport: Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims arriving by 8:00 A.M. will transfer from the airport with those on the group flights.

Departure Flight Information

  • Depart on: October 27, 2026
  • Departure time: Any time on October 27
  • Departure airport: Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing before 9:30 A.M. will transfer to the airport on their own using taxi or the hotel shuttle. Pilgrims departing at 9:30 A.M. or later will transfer to the airport with those on the group flights.

More Details

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

Payment Schedule

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

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments. Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of April 2025. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact final 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. 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*
  • 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.

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

Want help arranging your flights?

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

Who can I contact for more information?

Our team is eager to help and is available 9am-5pm EST by phone at 574-383-9396 or by email at hello@versoministries.com
Read More

Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

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

A picture of the cieling of St. Peter's Basilica.

Finding the Saints in Rome

The major Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

What are the 4 Major Basilicas?

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

You Might Also Be Interested In...

October 5-16, 2026

Pilgrimage to Italy

Rome, Assisi, Orvieto
October 15-24, 2026

In the Footsteps of St. John of the Cross Pilgrimage to Spain

Avila, Toledo, Granada
October 13-23, 2026

Pilgrimage to Poland and Lithuania

Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow
Contact Us

Have a Question?

Attend our next Webinar!

Sign up to recieve information about upcoming and on-demand webinars.