Passion Pilgrimage

to Italy and France with the Notre Dame Folk Choir

March 8 - 17, 2024
Register

About

Join the Notre Dame Folk Choir and Verso Ministries for Spring Break 2024 as they travel on a pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, and Lourdes! In each location, the Folk Choir will perform the Passion in a historic church or concert hall. Some incredible highlights of this journey include the singing in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and visiting the healing baths of Lourdes. This pilgrimage is open to anyone who would like to join us on the pilgrimage.

Trip Details

Group Type & Size

All are welcome on the Pilgrim or Chorus Tracks (min. 60 pax)

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$4,721

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guide(s)
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Private transportation on motor coach
One-way airfare from Rome to Toulouse
Standard accommodations
Breakfast and dinner daily
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

March 8
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in package)
March 9
Rome
  • Arrive to Rome and transfer to hotel (on your own, except for choir)
  • Pilgrims Optional activity – Tour of the Roman Forum and Coliseum
  • For Pilgrims/Chorus – Evening reception at the Rome Global Gateway (pending space availability)
  • For Choir – Transfer from airport to hotel for check-in and dinner
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Dinner
March 10
Rome
  • Sunday morning Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls
  • Papal Angelus in St. Peter’s Square
  • Afternoon visits to St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and the Holy Stairs
  • Evening rehearsal for the Choir and Chorus
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 11
Rome
  • Early morning entrance to the Vatican Museums, followed by tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Free time for lunch
  • City center tour with Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and several beloved Roman churches
  • Performance in the evening
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 12
Rome, Assisi
  •  Transfer to Assisi
  • Free time for lunch
  • Visit the important churches in the Old City of Assisi, including the Cathedral, the Basilica of St. Clare, and Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 13
Assisi
  • Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary and the Angels
  • Pilgrims optional afternoon visits to the San Damiano Monastery and the Hermitage or free time in the Old City
  • Choir performance in the evening
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 14
Assisi, Rome, Lourdes
  • Morning Mass in Assisi
  • Transfer to Rome and fly to Toulouse (included in the package)
  • Transfer to Lourdes and check into hotel
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 15
Lourdes
  • Morning Mass in Lourdes, followed by tour of the sanctuary
  • Afternoon free time to explore the baths and other local traditions
  • Choir performance in the evening
  • Overnight in Lourdes
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 16
Lourdes, Toulouse
  • Morning Mass in Lourdes
  • Free time to explore the Lourdes sanctuary
  • Transfer to Toulouse
  • Farewell dinner
  • Overnight in Toulouse
  • Accommodations: Standard accommodations
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 17
Departure
  • Depart France (flights not included in package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast
Register

Led by

Choir Director
JJ headshot
J.J. Wright
University of Notre Dame Folk Choir

J.J. Wright currently serves as the Director of the University of Notre Dame Folk Choir. As a conductor, pianist, composer, and producer his interests lie at the convergence of the creative process, music-making, spirituality, and liturgy.

J.J.’s work has appeared on Grammy-award winning and #1 Billboard Classical albums. Most recently, he traveled to Jerusalem with the Notre Dame Folk Choir to record their new setting of “The Passion”, which was also awarded a Teacher-Scholar Grant from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship. J.J. has recorded extensively and has worked on albums with Dave Samuels, AfroBop Alliance, The United States Naval Academy Band, Franky Rousseau, Levon Henry, Dominic Mekky, Ike Sturm, Nate Wood, Fifth House Ensemble, Joe Henry, Ryan Freeland, 5/4 Productions, The Notre Dame Children’s Choir, The St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir, Dana Nielson, and Br. Isaiah, CFR.

After an enlistment with the United States Naval Academy Band, J.J. completed his undergraduate degree in Jazz Piano at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Moving to the University of Notre Dame for graduate studies, J.J. received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the Program in Sacred Music and  lived in Rome, Italy, for one year while he wrote and composed his dissertation, Drama and Devotion at Chiesa Nuova: Translating Anerio’s Teatro Armonico to Jazz Oratorio, took classes at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, and interned with the Sistine Chapel Choir.

Pricing

As low as

$4,721

Package Cost (without savings)

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$967/person
Travel protection
Quote available upon request*

2 Tracks, 1 Pilgrimage – Choose Pilgrim or Chorus Track during registration

  • Pilgrim Track: Join activities as a pilgrim and enjoy the performances from the audience.
  • Chorus Track: Join activities as a pilgrim, and on performance days, rehearse and sing with the Choir!

 

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

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

Rates assume a minimum of 60 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Airfare, except for Rome-Toulouse flight (Pilgrims/Chorus need to book flights into Rome and home from Toulouse on their own)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not listed on the itinerary
  • Drinks at meals
  • Recommended travel protection
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: March 9, 2024
    • Arrival time: Before 4 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will need to make their own arrangements from the airport to the hotel. Instructions for transfer and check-in will be provided. If you’d like a private transfer from the airport to the hotel, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: March 17, 2o24
    • Departure time: Anytime on March 17
    • Departure airport: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will need to make their own arrangements from the hotel to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. If you’d like a private transfer from the airport to the hotel, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, you may miss out on some of the planned activities.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Standard Accommodations

  • Rome: Starhotel Michelangelo or similar
  • Assisi: Hotel Dal Moro or similar
  • Lourdes: Hotel Mediterranee or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

 

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

 

Additional services

  • Half-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $403/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $1,138/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Full-day tour of Rome
    • Without transportation – $619/group (up to 7 pax)
    • With transportation – $1,570/group (up to 7 pax)
  • Please note: Tips, meals, and entrance fees are not included in price.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

There is no extension being offered for the pilgrimage.

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 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 2023. 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 must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be 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.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180 days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

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.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

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 everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

Facebook Instagram Youtube

Destinations

About

Info

Contact

© 2023, all rights reserved. Site designed by Ashley Paul Swanson
×
×

Cart

Holy Land
The Camino
Italy
France
World Youth Day
All Departures

Featured Trip

Notre Dame Folk Choir

March 8 - 17, 2024

Learn More

Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.