JUMP TO: ITINERARY | REGISTRATION | FAQs
80 years ago, St. Josemaria made his first journey to Rome to seek official approval of Opus Dei from the Holy See to allow its apostolate to expand to other countries. In the years that followed, he constructed the central headquarters of Opus Dei and laid the foundation for initiatives in Rome that continue to serve the Church today.
Now, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his canonization (October 6, 2002), join the St. Josemaria Institute and VERSO Ministries for an unforgettable spiritual pilgrimage as we journey In the Footsteps of St. Josemaria Escriva to Rome!
Inspired by St. Josemaria’s deep affection for the Holy Father and his devotion to the early Church martyrs, this pilgrimage will focus on the spiritual sites in Rome closely connected to the life and devotions of St. Josemaria. In addition to a pilgrimage of spiritual enrichment, pilgrims will have the unique opportunity to visit and learn about the apostolates in Rome inspired by St. Josemaria and entrusted to the work of Opus Dei.
ITINERARY
Depart the United States, or your place of origin, and begin your travel to Rome.
Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport; transfer on your own to the hotel.
Enjoy a Welcome Dinner together with the pilgrimage group.
[Meals: D]
St. Peter’s Basilica
Pilgrims will celebrate Mass and enjoy a self-guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Josemaria went to St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time on the morning of June 25, 1946. He walked in deep prayer through St. Peter’s Square and into the basilica, up to the Altar of the Confession, under which lies the tomb of St. Peter. There he stopped for a long moment of prayer. Only after this did he take time to look at the splendor of the basilica…
Statue of St. Josemaria
On the left-hand side of the nave, past the monument to St. Pius X is the entrance to the great sacristy of St. Peter’s. The windows of the passage leading to the sacristy look out on a statue of St. Josemaria Escriva, placed in a large niche on the outer wall of the Basilica. Pausing to contemplate his welcoming gesture is the perfect moment to pray to him to increase all the Christian faithful’s love for the Church and the Pope.
St. Peter’s Square
Join pilgrims from around the world for Sunday Angelus with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square.
Piazza della Citta Leonina
Note the top-floor apartment where St. Josemaria stayed upon his arrival to Rome. From the balcony, he realized how close he was to the Papal apartments, only separated by the street and lower barracks of the Swiss Guard.
Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
Spend time visiting the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena and the tour the church. Offer a prayer for the Pope as St. Josemaria and his “beloved friend”, St. Catherine, were often known to do.
[Meals: B]
Church of St. Jerome of Charity
Pilgrims will celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Jerome, which is connected to the library of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross was born from the desire of St. Josemaria to create a center of higher ecclesiastical studies in Rome at the service of the whole Church. Bl. Alvaro del Portillo brought St. Josemaria’s desire to completion, with the support of St. John Paul II, and the university was dedicated in 1984.
Here pilgrims will have the opportunity to learn about the work of the University today, as well as meet with the staff of the St. Josemaria Historical Institute.
St. Josemaria Historical Institute
The aim of the St. Josemaria Historical Institute is to promote historical studies of St. Josemaria’s life and Opus Dei as well as the development of academic publications of aspects related to the spirit, teachings, and apostolates promoted by St. Josemaria.
Universita Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
With the assistance of Bl. Alvaro del Portillo, the Universita Campus Bio-Medico di Roma was founded to care for humanity in all its dimensions. Here pilgrims will learn more about the work of this private, Catholic university and medical campus entrusted to the work of Opus Dei.
[Meals: B]
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
Pilgrims will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Built in the fourth century by Constantine over the site where the early Christians venerated the burial site of St. Paul the Apostle who was beheaded by Nero in 65-67 AD, the basilica was restored and enlarged throughout the centuries but, devastatingly, was destroyed in a fire in 1823. The current basilica was rebuilt and consecrated in 1840 with embellishments added throughout the following decades to modern times.
Appian Way and Catacombs of St. Callixtus
Soon after his arrival in Rome, St. Josemaria spoke of his desire to go and pray in the catacombs. Years before, speaking to some of his spiritual sons in Madrid, Spain, he said to them, “Don’t you see that we’re not alone? We can cry out like the first faithful in the silence of the Roman Catacombs: Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea, quem timebo? The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? (Ps 26:1) Only thus can we explain the first Christians’ truly heroic actions. Trusting firmly in God’s help, without doing anything odd, they entered everywhere: into the forum, the palaces, even the Emperor’s own house.”
Free Afternoon
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to explore Rome on their own, or spend time in quiet prayer and reflection.
[Meals: B]
Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace
Pilgrims will celebrate Mass and tour the Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace—the central headquarters of Opus Dei where the mortal remains of St. Josemaria are contained in a casket within the main altar.
Basilica of St. Eugene
Located near the headquarters of Opus Dei, the Basilica has been entrusted to the Prelature of Opus Dei since 1980. Here pilgrims will enjoy a spiritual Recollection in the spirit of St. Josemaria.
ELIS Center
Founded in 1965 at the instigation of Pope John XXIII who asked St. Josemaria to conceive and implement an initiative to combat educational poverty and marginalization with social projects in Italy.
Celebratory Dinner
Pilgrims will enjoy a celebratory dinner together to mark the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva.
[Meals: B, D]
Scala Santa
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to climb the Holy Stairs that Christ climbed on his way to his trial, brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St. Helena.
Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran
Celebrate Mass at the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where a relic of the table of the Last Supper is held.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem was built to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ which were brought to Rome from the Holy Land by St. Helena. St. Josemaria first prayed here on August 4, 1946, with confidence and faith-filled petition to Our Lord for the approval of Opus Dei as an institution of pontifical rite.
Free Afternoon
Pilgrims will have the opportunity to explore Rome on their own, or spend time in quiet prayer and reflection.
[Meals: B]
Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, which holds the relic of the chains of St. Peter’s imprisonment in Rome and Jerusalem. It also houses Michaelangelo’s famous statue of Moses, part of the tomb of Pope Julius II.
Colosseum and the Roman Forum
Pilgrims will pray St. Josemaria’s reflections on the Stations of the Cross, set against the background of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (exterior views only).
Basilica of St. Mary Major
Built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pilgrims will visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major which houses sacred wood from the nativity crib of Jesus beneath the main altar.
Farewell Dinner
Share stories and reflect on the week together in Rome!
[Meals: B, D]
For those not joining the extension to Loreto, transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport on your own and depart on your journey home.
[Meals: B]
Transfer to Loreto via bus and have free time for lunch upon arrival. Pilgrims will enjoy a walking tour of the City Center in the afternoon, with visits to the Piazza della Madonna, Porta Marina, and Fontana Maggiore.
[Meals: B, D]
Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto
Celebrate Mass and enjoy time to pray and explore the sanctuary–a place where St. Josemaria made a pilgrimage on eight occasions out of deep gratitude for the intercession of Our Lady of Loreto.
Pontifical Museum of the Holy House of Loreto
Visit the museum to view the tapestries, ceramics, and paintings present in the historic Apostolic Palace.
Transfer to Rome
Transfer via bus to a hotel near Rome Fiumicino Airport and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
[Meals: B, D]
Transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport on your own and begin your journey home.
[Meals: B]
While every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change if circumstances arise that are out of our control.
REGISTRATION
The pilgrimage will be led in English and is open to adults (men and women, age 18+) from the United States and abroad; space is limited. All participants are required to fulfill all of the mandatory travel requirements. The ability to handle plenty of walking and to adapt to schedule changes and local conditions are also required.
The cost of the pilgrimage is $4,365 per person (Rome itinerary; land-only). The optional extension to Loreto is an additional $799 per person. The price is based on double occupancy (two people in one room). Limited single occupancy rooms are available for an additional cost upon request.
Registration opens on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Included:
-
- Breakfast each day, plus select dinners as indicated on itinerary
- Tips for driver and guides
- Air-conditioned motor coach
- Licensed English-speaking guides
- Listening earpiece devices
- Additional local experts
- Chaplain/Priest
- Entry fees to sites and museums
- Pilgrimage booklet
- Preparation and follow-up materials
- Contribution to the St. Josemaria Institute: $150
Not Included:
-
- Airfare/Flights
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Passport, visa, or luggage fees
- Any meals not indicated on itinerary
- Personal donations, gifts, and souvenirs
Spiritual Program:
-
- Daily Mass is scheduled into the pilgrimage itinerary. The spiritual program also includes ample time for personal prayer, guided meditations, and opportunities for confession.
- A priest of Opus Dei will be available throughout the pilgrimage for Mass and confession.
Travel Requirements:
-
- All pilgrims are required to have a valid passport.
- Citizens of some countries may need a visa when entering the European Union. Please check this requirement for your country.
To Register:
-
- Registration opens on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
- All registration and payments will be processed by VERSO Ministries: https://versoministries.com/.
- A $500 deposit is required upon registration.
- The final balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy:
-
- If you cancel within two weeks of paying the deposit, and the deposit is made 180 days prior to departure, your deposit will be refunded in full.
- If you cancel 14 days after paying the deposit and 91 days or more from departure, the deposit is retained by VERSO Ministries.
- If you cancel 90-61 days prior to departure, 25% of the trip cost is non-refundable.
- If you cancel 60-31 days prior to departure, 50% of the trip cost is non-refundable.
- If you cancel 30 days or less prior to departure, 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable.
All pilgrims will be invited to attend a virtual webinar with the St. Josemaria Institute and VERSO Ministries to discuss what to expect on the pilgrimage and how you can prepare yourself spiritually to visit the holy sites.
If you have additional questions, please contact our team at (630) 541 – 9742 or info@stjosemaria.org.
We hope you will join us for an unforgettable pilgrimage!