GREAT SAINTS PILGRIMAGE
ITALY
Rome • Assisi • Orvieto • Siena • Cascia
11 Days Sept. 28 - Oct. 8, 2026
A once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage for the faithful of the Diocese of Rapid City & the Rapid City Catholic School System
"I can’t say enough about everything you did to make this a true pilgrimage for us."
Kevin & Amy B.
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September 28, Monday, Day 1: DEPART THE U.S.A.
Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Rome from Rapid City. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Add-on flights and optional premium economy and business class rates are available upon request.
September 29, Tuesday, Day 2: WELCOME TO ITALY - ROME
You are greeted at the airport by your Italian Tour Managers, who will be with the group the entire time. Our first stop is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass. Next, we visit the Convent of Tre Fontane, where St. Paul was beheaded. Our hotel check-in is after 4PM, we can settle in, have a relaxing dinner, and then enjoy a well-deserved night of rest. Overnight in Rome.
September 30, Wednesday, Day 3: PAPAL AUDIENCE –
RELICS AT ST. MARY MAJOR BASILICA – EVENING VIGIL
We make our way to the Vatican early this morning as we take our seats in St. Peter’s Square to wait to see Pope Leo drive by us in the Popemobile and bless our group during the Papal Audience. After this We have time for shopping at local stores for religious items and souvenirs, we drive to St. Mary Major Basilica, where we celebrate Mass. Enjoy several hours of leisure time before we meet around 5:00 PM at our hotel for a transfer to Santa Maria in Vallicella for a Vigil with Adoration and Confession. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome
October 1, Thursday, Day 4: VISIT WITH THE MISSIONARIES
OF CHARITY – CHRISTIAN ROME – DIACONATE ORDINATION
CEREMONY
This morning, following an early breakfast, we visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity for a warm welcome by Sr. Callista. Our day continues with a visit to the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs next door. Nearby is the Basilica of the Holy Cross, where we see the relics of the True Cross, among other relics from Jerusalem. Picking up a snack is suggested as dinner will consist of Hors d’ouvres at reception. Return to the hotel for a bit of rest before our 5:00 PM transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica to attend the Diaconate Ordination Ceremony. Following the Ordination, we are invited to attend a reception at the North American College (NAC), generous hors d’oeuvres will be served. A transfer will be arranged to return us to our hotel. Overnight in Rome.
October 2, Friday, Day 5: FIRST PREACHING MASS – CELEBRATORY LUNCH – CATACOMBS
Today, we are invited to attend the First Preaching Mass of Dillon Johnson, followed by a celebratory lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we drive along the ancient Appian Way to the Catacombs, where the early Christians prayed in secret and buried their dead. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome.
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October 3, Saturday, Day 6: VATICAN TREASURES
Our day starts with a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we celebrate Mass. Our visit to the Vatican Museums includes a guided tour that explains some of the world’s greatest works of art, ending in the incomparable Sistine Chapel. Following a guided visit of St. Peter’s Basilica, you have the afternoon at leisure to explore the Historic Center of Rome on your own. We suggest walking from St. Peter’s Basilica to the city center, where you can see the Pantheon (entrance fee required), Piazza Navona, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps, all located in close proximity to each other. Your guides will assist you in taking you to the city center. Dinner is at leisure to try one of the many restaurants in the city center. Overnight in Rome.
October 4, Sunday, Day 7: ORVIETO – ASSISI – FEAST DAY OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
We say goodbye to Rome and depart for the hilltop towns of Orvieto and Assisi. The charming town of Orvieto is famous for its wine and its cathedral, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful. Upon arrival in the city, we see the dodecagon, a unique twelve-sided figure, at Sant’Andrea Church on Piazza Repubblica, in the form of a twelve-sided bell tower, and visit the Duomo, where the Miracle of the Eucharist of Bolsena is housed. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica. Our day includes an excellent lunch at a local winery with an opportunity to taste the famous Orvieto Classico wine for which this region is renowned. We continue to Assisi, the beautiful city of birds and silence. Before we settle into our hotel, we explore the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels), built to protect the Portiuncula, the humble chapel where the Franciscan Order was born and where St. Francis dedicated countless hours to prayer. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
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October 5, Monday, Day 8: ASSISI
Assisi is considered one of Italy’s most peaceful spots and a spiritual treasure. We start with a visit to the Basilica of St. Clare and San Damiano. We venerate the relics of St. Carlo Acutis at the Santuario della Spogliazione and walk across the town to the Basilica of St. Francis, with its world-renowned frescoes of Giotto and the tomb of St. Francis. Here we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we visit the Cathedral of San Rufino, the baptismal site of both Francis and Clare, and the place where they first heard the Gospel proclaimed. Dinner and overnight in Assisi.
October 6, Tuesday, Day 9: ASSISI – SIENA
Our morning visit is to Siena, to see the famous Piazza del Campo, known for its horse races. Later, we see the relics of St. Catherine, the patron Saint of Italy, at St. Dominic Church, and celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we visit the Ermo della Carceri, St. Francis’ retreat hermitage near the summit of Mt. Subasio, where we have talks by our group leaders. Enjoy our last dinner and overnight in Assisi. Overnight in Assisi.
October 7, Wednesday, Day 10: CASCIA – ROME
Departing Assisi, we drive to Cascia, home of St. Rita, to see the Saint’s incorrupt body and visit places associated with her life and work. We celebrate Mass in this holy site and have time for prayer and reflection. In the afternoon we arrive our hotel near Rome airport. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner. Overnight at the hotel near the airport.
October 8, Thursday, Day 11: RETURN TO THE U.S.A.
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flights back home.
• Round-trip airfare from Rapid City
• Airport taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change until ticketing)
• First-class (four-star) hotel accommodations for 9 nights
• Daily Buffet breakfast at the hotel
• A Restaurant lunch in Rome
• Ordination Celebration Lunch with wine
• Lunch and wine tasting in Orvieto
• 4 hotel dinners with a choice of wine or beer, soda, coffee, or tea
• Farewell dinner in a local restaurant with wine included
• English-speaking Christian Tour Managers
• All transfers via private, air-conditioned motor coach as per itinerary
• All visits and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Baggage handling at the hotels
• Daily private Mass
• Whisper Tour Headsets
YOUR PILGRIMAGE INCLUDES
Great Saints Pilgrimage To Italy
With Bishop Scott Bullock
September 28 - October 8, 2026
​Land Only - $5095.00*
Land and Group Air from Rapid City - $6495.00
*Pricing is based on double occupancy. Upgrade to a
private room – $1,595 (USD)
Additional airfare arrival and departure instructions will be given upon registration.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
"This was truly the very best time of our lives."
Darlene S.
"You have opened my eyes to the beauty and
the richness of our faith."
Judy H.
"The information you shared about the saints and each of the locations we visited was appreciated more than you know."
Ken C.
"I truly felt a sense of family with the saints, martyrs, and those in the catacombs; and I still do."
Ray & Ginny S.
"Being in the audience with the Pope, touring the Vatican and many beautiful basilicas, and learning a wealth of knowledge about so many saints and about our relationship with God were some of the many highlights I still carry with me."
Robin F.
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"When asked by our family what our favorite part of the trip was, we asked them, "Which day?" We are so thankful we went!"
Richard & Mary Anne S.