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

• Basilica di Santa Prassede - Next, the tour proceeds to the Basilica of Santa Prassede, renowned 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.

• Santuario della Scala Santa - The journey continues to the Holy Steps, where Jesus was judged by Pontius Pilate, transported to Rome in the 4th century by St Helena. Although there won’t be time to ascend the stairs on knees as per pilgrim tradition, visitors will have the opportunity to look into the Holy of Holies at the top to view the icon painted by the Gospel writer, St Luke.

• Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - The tour then visits the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni Laterano), to admire Borromini’s architectural design and understand the symbolism and history of the stunning mosaic. The expert guide will highlight the place above the high altar where the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul are kept.

• Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme - The tour concludes at one of the most sacred places in the world - the Basilica of the Holy Cross, built on earth brought from Calvary in the 4th century. Visitors will learn about the history of the artifacts of Jesus’ passion and death brought to Rome and finally enter to see fragments of the Holy Sepulcher and the Cave of Bethlehem, a Nail of The Crucifixion, 2 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.