• Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore - Our tour begins with a visit to one of Rome’s oldest churches dedicated to the Mother of God, the Basilica of St Mary Major. Beneath its main altar lies wood from the manger where baby Jesus once lay. This church, adorned by various eras of Italian art history, also houses the body of the devout Baroque master artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

• Basilica di Santa Prassede - Next, we walk to the Basilica of Santa Prassede, known for its stunning 9th-century mosaics and the stone pillar on which Jesus was scourged, brought from the Praetorium in Jerusalem to Rome in the 13th century.

• Chiesa di Sant’Alfonso all’Esquilino - Just a few yards away, we enter the Church of San Alfonso Ligouri to view the beautiful 15th-century Byzantine icon “Our Lady of Perpetual Help / Succour,” also known as the Virgin of the Passion or Theotokos of the Passion, which is likely the most recognizable icon in the world.

• Santuario della Scala Santa - We then proceed to the Holy Steps, where Jesus was judged by Pontius Pilate, brought to Rome in the 4th century by St Helena. Although we won’t have time to ascend the stairs on our knees as per pilgrim tradition, we will look into the Holy of Holies at the top to see the icon painted by the Gospel writer, St Luke.

• Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - Our next stop is the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni Laterano), where we will marvel at Borromini’s architectural design and learn about the symbolism and history of the stunning mosaic. Your expert guide will also point out the place above the high altar where the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul rest.

• Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme - Finally, we visit one of the most holy places in the world, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, built on earth brought from Calvary in the 4th century. Here, you will learn about the artifacts of Jesus’ passion and death that were brought to Rome and see fragments of the Holy Sepulcher and the Cave of Bethlehem, a Nail of The Crucifixion, two Thorns of The Crown of Thorns, the small walnut board reading ‘Jesus the Nazarene king of the Jews,’ and the wood of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.

• Expert local guide
• Entry to each site included in the tour

• Some temporary exhibitions and special events may be excluded
• Food and Drink
• Gratuities

When the Roman Empire embraced the faith it once persecuted, it exploded into a frenzy of observance for the history and truth of the Christian faith manifest in the literary, the artistic and the relics of the early Christian church. Many of these were then brought to the then capital of the world - Rome. On this tour expect to have an intimate encounter with the Relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ - physical objects which were used in his torture and death, and which were mostly brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St Helena - the mother of Emperor Constantine - in the 4th century. All pilgrims who join us on this once in a lifetime Catholic pilgrimage tour will be given time to reflect and pray as part of their religious tour experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.