Trip Overview

Join St. John’s University Parish on a handcrafted pilgrimage from Rome and Assisi with an extension to Lourdes. Journey back to the early Church where you will witness the living testimony of the apostles and saints in the basilicas and churches of Rome and Assisi. Consider the optional extension to immerse yourself in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, praying at the Grotto of Massabielle with its healing spring as St Bernadette did.  This journey of faith is the journey of a lifetime. Allow these encounters with the saints to bring you to the heart of the universal Church.

What’s Included?

  • Professional tour escort accompanying your group throughout the pilgrimage
  • Local, licensed tour guide(s)
  • Airport/hotel transfers (if arriving/departing with the group flight)
  • Transportation on private motorcoach (pending hotel location, coach will be included some days, but other days pilgrims will walk to nearby sites)
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Audio headset for each pilgrim
  • Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
  • Preparation and follow-up materials
  • Pack & Prep Meeting for all pilgrims to review itinerary, activities, logistical arrangements, and spiritual preparations

Itinerary

May 31, 2027
  • Depart the US on your overnight flight to Rome
June 1, 2027
  • Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport
  • Transfer to a local restaurant for lunch
  • Transfer to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls
  • Celebrate an Opening Mass and pray at the tomb of St Paul
  • Visit the Catacombs of San Callisto, with the crypt of the Popes and the crypt of St Cecilia
  • If time allows, stop at the Domine Quo Vadis Church to see Christ’s footprints when he appeared to St Peter
  • Continue on to the hotel to check-in
  • Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Hotel Twenty One or similar

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

June 2, 2027
  • Attend the Papal Audience (pending the Holy Father’s schedule)
  • Free time for lunch
  • Celebrate Mass at the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome with a relic of the table of the Last Supper
  • Prayerfully climb the Scala Santa, the Holy Stairs that Christ climbed on his way to his trial, brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St. Helena
  • Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and venerate the Passion relics
  • Free time for the rest of the day
  • Consider visiting the archaeological excavations at the Basilica of San Clemente or walk past the Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Hotel Twenty One or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

June 3, 2027
  • Mass in the Crypt at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a tour of the Basilica, including time to pray at the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II and to see Michelangelo’s Pieta
  • Scavi Tour (pending availability)
  • Late afternoon entrance to the Vatican Museums, home of the Sistine Chapel
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Hotel Twenty One or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

June 4, 2027
  • Enjoy a walking tour of the churches and piazzas of central Rome led by Fr Brian.
    Stops can include the Gesu, Santi Apostoli, Sant’Agostino, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Basilica of St Mary Major
  • Celebrate Mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Piazza Navona
  • Dinner at Abruzzi (pending confirmation)
  • Overnight in Rome

Accommodations: Hotel Assisium Boutique or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

June 5, 2027
  • Transfer to Assisi
  • Celebrate Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli and see the Porziuncola where St Francis founded the Franciscan order
    and where he died
  • Continue on to upper Assisi for a guided tour of the Old City, including the Basilica of St Francis(where he is buried)
    and the Basilica of St Clare (where she is buried and home of the San Damiano Crucifix)
  • Dinner at Menestrello (pending confirmation)
  • Overnight in Assisi

Accommodations: Hotel Assisium Boutique or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

June 6, 2027
  • Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis, where St Francis is buried and decorated with murals by Giotto
  • Free time in Assisi to pray and reflect as the pilgrimage draws to a close
  • Transfer back to Rome
  • Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome near the airport

Accommodations: Hotel Isola Sacra or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

June 7, 2027
  • Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport and depart on your journey home

Meals included: Breakfast

Extensions

June 7, 2027
  • Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport and fly to Toulouse
  • Arrive at the Toulouse airport and transfer to Lourdes
  • Celebrate Mass (tentative based on flight schedules)
  • Check-in and dinner at the hotel
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and torchlit procession, a nice way to end the day of this Marian feast
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Padoue or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Lourdes sanctuary evening candle procession, France
June 8, 2027
  • Celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Lourdes
  • Tour the Sanctuary, including the Chapel of Reconciliation, the Basilicas, the Grotto of Massabielle, and the Baths
  • Spend the afternoon at the Sanctuary and take time to participate in prayers at the Grotto, walk the Way of the Cross,
    visit the healing baths, or receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and torchlit procession
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Padoue or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

June 9, 2027
  • Morning Mass at the Sanctuary
  • Explore the town on your own, including the museums of Moulin de Boly, where St Bernadette was born, and Le Cachot, where she lived with her family
  • Free afternoon to take part in a variety of devotional practices at the Sanctuary
  • Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Participate in the nightly Rosary and torchlit procession, time allowing after dinner
  • Overnight in Lourdes

Accommodations: Hotel Padoue or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

lourdes-sanctuary
June 10, 2027
  • Transfer to Toulouse airport and depart on your journey home

Accommodations: Hotel Padoue or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

Optional Extension:

Pricing

Package Cost
$3,872

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,032/person
Lourdes extension (minimum 10 people)
$1,299/person
Lourdes extension single room supplement (limited availability)
$599/person
Pre-paid gratuities
Coming soon
Group flight
Coming soon (price available 10 months prior to departure)
Travel Protection*
Quote provided after registration

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

The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

If pilgrims traveling by themselves are unable to be matched with a roommate, the single room supplement may apply. See Additional Information section below for details.

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

Led by

Chaplain and Group Leader
Fr. Brian Crenwelge
Morgantown, WV
Fr. Brian Crenwelge is the Pastor of St. John University Parish and Director of Campus Ministry for the Mountaineer Catholic Campus Ministry program at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Prior to entering seminary, he graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in Philosophy and Theology. Fr. Crenwelge attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity and a Masters of Theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture. He was ordained to the sacred Priesthood in June 2016. Over the course of his priesthood, he has served throughout West Virginia in Charleston, Paden City, Sistersville, New Martinsville, Proctor, and has been at St. John’s in Morgantown since 2020. Fr. Crenwelge loves the universality of the Catholic Church and enjoys teaching others about the richness and beauty of the Catholic Faith.

More Details

  • Roundtrip group flight (optional add on if group is 10+ pilgrims)
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add on)
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (included if group is 30+ pilgrims)
  • 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
  • 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 2026. 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.

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*
• 14 days after deposit and 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.

A minimum of 10 pilgrims are required to operate the Lourdes extension.

Lourdes Extension Hotel

Lourdes Extension Package Includes

  • $150/person for internal flights between Lourdes and Rome
  • Three additional nights lodging in Lourdes in double-occupancy rooms (single rooms available on a limited basis)
  • Local French guide
  • Breakfast daily and other meals listed on the itinerary
  • Airport/hotel transfers
  • Daily Mass arrangements

Important Information for Pilgrims Seeking to be Matched With A Roommate

  1. Pilgrims who register by themselves can indicate in their Pilgrim Portal that they would like to be matched with a roommate. Verso Ministries will make every effort to accommodate that request, however, cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
  2. If, by 90 days prior to departure, Verso has not been able to match a solo pilgrim with a roommate, the single room supplement will be applied to the pilgrim’s invoice and due for payment.
  3. If Verso is able to match a pilgrim with a roommate after they have paid the single room supplement, the pilgrim will be refunded the extra charge.

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

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection 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 from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
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

Resources

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

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the model pilgrim.

3 Reasons Why Our Lady Is the Model Pilgrim

A couple walking down a street in Rome.

How to Prepare for Your Trip to Rome

7 Must-Know Facts About Blessed Carlo Acutis

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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