We invite you to join Fr. Rob Muhlenkamp on a sacred Catholic pilgrimage that leads the heart deeper into prayer, conversion, and communion with the living Church. This journey begins in the grace-filled village of Medjugorje, continues to the humble hill town of Assisi, and culminates in Rome, the Eternal City and heart of Catholicism.

In Medjugorje, often called the Confessional of the World, pilgrims are immersed in a powerful rhythm of prayer through daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, and abundant opportunities for Confession. Here, many experience profound interior renewal while climbing Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain, participating in the evening prayer program at St. James Church, and encountering moving testimonies of conversion, including a visit to the Cenacolo Community.

From there, we journey to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, where simplicity, humility, and radical trust in God come alive. Pilgrims walk the same streets where St. Francis embraced poverty for Christ, venerate his tomb, pray before the incorrupt body of St. Clare, and visit the resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a modern witness to Eucharistic love and holiness in our time.

The pilgrimage then unfolds in Rome, where the universal Church gathers. Here we pray at the tombs of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, walk the ancient Appian Way, celebrate Mass in sacred basilicas, ascend the Holy Stairs, and marvel at the treasures of the Vatican. If permitted, pilgrims will attend a Papal Audience, joining the faithful from around the world in prayer with the Holy Father.

This pilgrimage is not a vacation, it is a sacred journey of faith. Expect full days, meaningful walking, moments of silence, communal prayer, and grace-filled encounters. You will return home spiritually renewed, strengthened in faith, and deeply connected to the Church, past and present.

Hotels

13-16 October - MEDJUGORJEHotel Medjugorje SPA  4* 
26-17 October NEAR ROME'S AIRPORTHotel Aran Blu Ostia 4*
17-19 October ASSISIGrand Hotel Assisi 4*
19-22 October ROMEHotel Precise House Mantegna 4*

DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE

Depart the USA from your local airport on an overnight international flight to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Enjoy in-flight meals and entertainment as you begin your pilgrimage.

Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia and meet your Trinity Tour Travels guide outside of the Arrival Hall once you have exited Customs and Baggage Claim. Transfer by motor coach from Dubrovnik to Medjugorje with lunch on your own en route (3 hours).  A memorable and spectacular drive, and free time this evening in the heart of Medjugorje as flight schedule and arrival time allows. Explore the area around St. James Church and enter the prayerful rhythm of our pilgrimage. Mass location and time to be confirmed.

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Medjugorje.
Hotel Medjugorje SPA  4* 

Breakfast at the hotel with an introduction to Medjugorje and to the days’ schedule.  English Mass at St. James Church at 10:00 am (Confession is offered prior to Holy Mass, schedule permitting).  Brief continued teachings on this special area by our local guide prior to time for touring St. James, visiting the Adoration Chapel, climbing Apparition Hill (“Podbrdo”), and traversing Cross Mountain.  The prayerful ascent to Apparition Hill can be a 2–3-hour climb, navigating the rocky and steep path leading to the original apparition location where Our Lady appeared in June of 1981. Along the path are bronze reliefs of the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries; many pilgrims pray the Rosary while ascending. Crowning the hill is the statue of Our Lady of Medjugorje, where time is spent in silent prayer and meditation.  Across the valley is Cross Mountain.  Another 2–3-hour climb, pilgrims may pray the Stations of the Cross, whose 14 reliefs are placed along the steep path up the mountain. A large concrete cross awaits at the summit. This cross was built in 1934 and commemorated the 1900th anniversary of the Crucifixion of Christ – hence, at that time, it amazingly had no connection to the Marian Apparitions which had not yet occurred!

Return to the hotel for lunch followed by free time for continued exploration of  the area.  

Known as “the Confessional of the World”, Confession is available in numerous languages throughout the day.  The Holy Rosary is prayed each evening at 5:00pm, followed by The International Mass & Healing Service near St. James.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Veneration of the Cross are also available each evening here.

Dinner & overnight in Medjugorje.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by 9:00 am Holy Mass and a morning trip to the medieval city of Mostar (0.5 hour).  We visit the Cathedral of Mary, Mother of the Church, The Franciscan Monastery and Church of Sts. Peter and Paul near the iconic Old Bridge, “Stari Most”, and the city center.  Return to Medjugorje for lunch at the hotel with continued opportunity to revisit the holy sites associated with the Apparitions of 1981.  Visit the Statue of the Risen Christ, well-known for its miraculous “weeping” knee, see several outdoor altars, and return to sites from the previous day at your leisure. You may choose to climb Apparition Hill one day, and Cross Mountain the other!  Visit the many shops nearby for special gifts and locally made crafts.  This afternoon, we visit the Cenacolo Community, a rehabilitation community centered on prayer and work, prior to 5:00 pm Rosary and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Late dinner & overnight in Medjugorje.

Early breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for our flight to Rome, Italy.

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Rome.
NEAR ROME'S AIRPORT - Hotel Aran Blu Ostia 4*

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we begin our full day with a walking tour of the medieval town of Assisi.  Starting at the awe-inspiring Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage site and spiritual heart of the Franciscan order, we visit the 13th century basilica comprised of an Upper and Lower Church, each richly adorned with masterful frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue that depict the life, ministry, and heavenly vision of St. Francis. In the crypt, we venerate the tomb of this beloved saint, whose embrace of radical poverty, love for all creation, and unwavering devotion to Christ continues to echo through the Church today.  As we walk through the picturesque streets of Assisi, we stop at the birthplace of St. Francis, located near the Chiesa Nuova, a church built over the presumed family home. We continue to the Basilica of St. Clare (Santa Chiara), where we honor the foundress of the Poor Clares and the dear friend and spiritual sister of St. Francis. Inside, we view her relics, including her intact body, and visit the Crucifix of San Damiano, the very cross from which Christ spoke to St. Francis, calling him to “rebuild My Church.” This cross is one of the most treasured symbols of Franciscan spirituality.  Mass is celebrated (location to be determined) prior to lunch on your own and a visit to the Santuario della Spogliazione, (Sanctuary of the Renunciation), where St. Francis publicly removed his garments and renounced his worldly inheritance before the bishop, choosing a life of poverty for the sake of the Gospel. This sacred site also houses the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, the young digital evangelist who spread Eucharistic devotion online before succumbing to leukemia at age 15. A model of holiness for our times, his life inspires young and old alike to embrace the path of sanctity. Schedule permitting, our day ends with free time to stroll, shop, and return to holy sites for personal prayer.

Dinner & overnight in Assisi.

An early breakfast and we travel a short way outside the walls of Assisi to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, where St. Francis spent most of his life. The basilica is made up of two structures: 1) The Porziuncola, where St. Francis first understood his vocation and renounced the world to live in poverty, and 2) The Cappella Del Transito, the small room where St. Francis died in 1226.  A visit to the beautiful Rose Garden, where St. Francis and other friars lived, as well as the cave where the saint retired to pray.  Mass location and time to be confirmed.  Free afternoon for lunch and leisure in Assisi.

Dinner & overnight in Assisi.

Grand Hotel Assisi 4*

After an early breakfast and check-out at the hotel, we travel to Rome for a very full day! (3 hours) Lunch on your own upon arrival and we then drive through the Appian Way, the earliest road of Ancient Rome. Here, we visit the ancient Catacombs and Basilica of St. Sebastian, where Mass is celebrated this day.  We stop at the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, where according to tradition, St. Peter, fleeing the city to avoid martyrdom, met the Resurrected Christ to whom he addressed the following words, “Domine, quo vadis?” (Lord, where are you going?) and the Lord replied, “Venio Romam iterum crucifigi” (I am coming to Rome to be crucified again). Peter, understanding the rebuke, went back to face his fate and Jesus disappeared but, in disappearing, left his footprints on the road. As evidence of what happened, a stone with the imprints of Jesus’ “Holy Feet" lies on the floor inside the church. (The stone is a copy; the original is kept in the Basilica of San Sebastiano.)  We then visit the magnificent Papal Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls. This basilica stands over the site where St. Paul was buried after his beheading under Emperor Nero around 63 AD.  We visit the basilica’s café with time to browse the adjoining gift shop.  We end the day with a walking tour of the Imperial Rome area. Starting at the Colosseum (outside visit), we continue to the Roman Forum: the religious, political, and commercial center of ancient Rome, and for centuries, of the entire civilized world. We will see the Arches of Constantine and Titus and visit the Church of St Francesca Romana, also known as Santa Maria Nova.

Check-in, dinner & overnight in Rome.

Hotel Precise House Mantegna 4*

Following breakfast, we begin our day in Rome with a visit to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major. Here, we celebrate Holy Mass near the high altar (pending confirmation), under which lies the Crypt of the Nativity. Encased in a crystal reliquary are the relics traditionally believed to be fragments of the wood from the Holy Crib in which the Infant Jesus was laid in Bethlehem. Tradition maintains that the basilica also holds the relics of St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, who translated the Bible into Latin. It was in this sacred church that St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, offered his first Mass as a priest in 1538. St. Mary Major is also associated with the remarkable Miracle of the Snow and the tomb of Pope Francis is also located here.

We continue to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Built to house relics of the Passion of Our Lord, this basilica contains an extraordinary collection: a piece of the True Cross, a nail from the Crucifixion, thorns believed to be from Christ’s Crown, the titulus (the sign placed above Jesus’ head), and even the finger of St. Thomas, the Apostle who touched the Risen Lord’s wounds. We then visit the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. Known as the “Mother and Head of all Churches in the World”, it is the oldest of the four papal basilicas, established by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD. Within its grand interior are colossal statues of the Twelve Apostles, standing as timeless witnesses to the Church’s foundation on their faith. Notably, St. Paul is included in place of St. Matthias, reflecting his foundational role in the spread of the Gospel. The two “holy heads” of Sts. Peter and Paul are enclosed in 2 ornate reliquaries high above the altar in this magnificent basilica.  Across from the basilica, we visit the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), believed to be the very staircase that Jesus ascended during His Passion to face Pontius Pilate. These marble steps were brought to Rome by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Today, they are encased in wood to protect them, but pilgrims can ascend them on their knees as a powerful act of penance and devotion. Small openings in the wooden risers allow glimpses—and sometimes physical contact—with the original marble.  In the afternoon, we enjoy leisure time in the heart of Rome, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the beautiful Piazza Navona.

Dinner & overnight in Rome.

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, we attend the General Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated at 9 a.m. each Wednesday by The Holy See, Pope Leo IX (papal schedule permitting).  Pilgrims are encouraged to bring special medals, rosaries, and other religious items to be blessed, as following the pope’s themed speech, prayers and homily, he offers a general blessing. Lunch on your own nearby before a tour of the magnificent Vatican Museum. We end the afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we visit several iconic Catholic treasures including Michelangelo's Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II prior to a walk through the basilica, which ends underground at the Tomb of St. Peter. Mass this day at church near St. Peter Square - time and location to be confirmed.

Overnight in Rome.

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport for return flights to the USA. Depart with hearts renewed, carrying the graces of this pilgrimage back home.

A note from Trinity Tours Travels:

We are honored to have you travel with us and appreciate your trust in

Trinity Tour Travels! Though every effort will sincerely be made to follow the above itinerary, it should be considered as a template of the journey, rather than a “contract” of sites to be visited.  There are times when local religious or national holidays, weather, traffic challenges, etc., may cause us to have to make changes in our schedule.  This MAY result in a change in the sequence of sites visited or, on the rare occasion, the missing of some certain site visits entirely.

As with all in life, we encourage the acceptance of possible change with a cheerful heart…after all, it is sometimes the unexpected that often makes the most beautiful memories!  Enjoy your trip to the fullest and relish every moment!