St. Mark the Evangelist Community

A Pilgrimage to Italy

March 16 - 27, 2025

About

Join Fr. Tom Willis and St. Mark the Evangelist parish to experience the fullness of life and the beauty of the Catholic Church on a trip to Rome, Florence, and Assisi. Hosted by Verso Ministries, this pilgrimage is designed for inspiring encounters with the Pope and Catholic sites, incredible walks through history, and the best food, wine, and lodging.

Trip Details

Group Type

St. Mark the Evangelist Community, 15-45 pilgrims

Length

12 days, 11 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$4,996

Deposit:

$1000

What's Included

Pilgrimage Director (groups of 30+ pilgrims)
Local, licensed tour guide(s)
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Standard accommodations
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

March 16
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
March 17
Venice
  • Arrive to Venice by noon
  • All pilgrims arriving by noon will be transferred in one group to the hotel
  • The pilgrimage officially begins at 4 p.m. in the hotel lobby
  • Welcome Mass in a local church, followed by dinner
  • Overnight in Venice
  • Accommodations: Hotel Principe, Hotel Amadeus, or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
March 18
Venice
  • Visit the Basilica of St. Mark with Mass and Doge’s Palace
  • Rest of the afternoon free to explore on your own
  • Overnight in Venice
  • Accommodations: Hotel Principe, Hotel Amadeus, or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 19
Venice
  • Mid-morning transfer to Aquileia
  • Mass at the Basilica of Mary of the Assumption, followed by visit to the site  where St. Mark installed the first bishop of the area
  • Transfer back to Venice
  • Overnight in Venice
  • Accommodations: Hotel Principe, Hotel Amadeus, or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 20
Florence
  • Morning transfer to Florence
  • Visit Donatello’s statue of St. Mark
  • Free time to explore the city, with dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Florence
  • Accommodations: Villa Neroli or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
March 21
Florence, Assisi
  • Visit the Convent and Museum of St. Mark in the morning, followed by Mass in a local church and lunch
  • Afternoon visit to the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and Baptistry
  • Transfer to Assisi
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: Hotel San Pietro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 22
Assisi
  • Morning Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis and see the original San Damiano Crucifix at the Basilica of St. Clare
  • Free afternoon to explore the old city
  • Overnight in Assisi
  • Accommodations: Hotel San Pietro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
March 23
Assisi, Rome
  • Late morning Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary and the Angels
  • Transfer to Rome
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel NH Roma Centro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 24
Rome
  • Morning Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica (pending availability), followed by a tour of the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel
  • Free afternoon to explore on your own
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel NH Roma Centro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
March 25
Rome
  • Morning Mass at San Marco al Campidoglio, followed by a visit to the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana and lunch
  • Afternoon visit to the Via Appia and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel NH Roma Centro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
March 26
Rome
  • Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square (pending the Holy Father’s travel schedule)
  • Closing Mass at Sant’ Agostino, followed by freetime in the afternoon
  • Farewell dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Rome
  • Accommodations: Hotel NH Roma Centro or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
March 27
Depart Rome
  • Depart for the U.S. (flights not included in the package)
  • Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one group at 7 a.m.
  • Pilgrims should schedule departure flights to leave anytime after 11 a.m.
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$4,996

Package Cost (without savings)

$5,396

Trip Savings

Early bird (register by March 16, 2024)
Save $400/person

Optional Add-ons

Travel protection
Quote available upon request*
Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,068/person

“As low as” price includes savings for early bird and pay balance by check.
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 15 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • 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

Designated arrival and departure times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: March 17, 2025
    • Arrival time: Arrive by 12noon
    • Arrival airport: Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the hotel in one group.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: March 27, 2025
    • Departure time: Depart at or after 11:00 a.m.
    • Departure airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one group at 7:00 a.m

 

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.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • 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

  • Venice: Hotel Principe, Hotel Amadeus, or similar
  • Florence: Villa Neroli or similar
  • Assisi: Hotel San Pietro or similar
  • Rome: Hotel NH Roma Centro or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the Rome airport, 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? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Arriving early or staying late?

There is no extension planned for this pilgrimage.

 

Deposit due upon registration – $1000/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 October 2023. 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 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.

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.

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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.

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