Rome. October 2026.
A Journey Like No Other.
October 12 – 16, 2026
Step into the Eternal City not as a tourist—but as a pilgrim, a learner, and a guest of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Last year’s tour of our campus and the Vatican offered spiritual renewal, rich formation, and rare insider access to the heart of the Church.
In 2026, you can experience it for yourself—grow in faith, reconnect with the Church’s mission, and witness the formation of tomorrow’s priests firsthand.
What to Expect
Dine with seminarians. Study the Acts of the Apostles in seminar-style sessions with Rome’s top Catholic professors. Explore sacred sites most visitors never see.
The time I spent at Santa Croce was the best, especially in the chapel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pilgrimage and am so thankful I was welcomed in this group.
The pilgrims and the staff on this pilgrimage were a great group of people, very friendly and supportive of one another.
You guys did a too awesome job. It was just right all over!
2026 Itinerary
Information and Registration
You’ll book your own hotel and travel for this trip, which makes it fully customizable.
Price: $2000 per person or $3500 per couple. This covers the cost of the seminars, all lunches and dinners, and the group tours. All other expenses are on your own.
Programming and tours run from October 12 – 16.
Our staff would love to talk you through the next steps for your journey to Rome! Please contact Alison at anaughton@puhcf.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why This Pilgrimage Is Different
Not really. While you will be visiting some significant places in Rome and Assisi, our goal is a deeper participation in the life of the Church! We’ll be praying together, learning from professors, meeting with seminarians, and experiencing places through a lens of faith and theology. Our hope is that you’ll experience these places more deeply than just a visit.
Both! This pilgrimage combines seminar-style learning with liturgy and personal encounters in a way that turns Rome itself into the classroom. Many past pilgrims have described it as spiritually renewing and intellectually enriching. It is likely to be more educational than a typical pilgrimage, because of our access to incredible professors and priests with a wealth of knowledge to share!
More than just sightseeing, this experience invites you to engage with professors, seminarians, and leaders at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce) while being immersed in Rome through a lens of faith and theology. You’ll learn the depth of the history of the Church while meeting its future.
Travel & Logistics
No! We’ve arranged travel to Assisi for you, and the day trip to Assisi is completely optional.
The earlier you book the better. Rome experiences especially high pilgrimage travel volume during Jubilee-related years and major Church events. In particular, 2026 is the Franciscan Jubilee, which is expected to bring increased travel and demand throughout the city. Booking early helps secure better airfare pricing, hotel availability, and preferred accommodations.
Yes. While pilgrims book their own accommodations, we recommend the following two hotels so the group can stay close together and near many of the pilgrimage activities:
- Hotel Nazionale (Use promo code SANTACROCE when booking directly with the hotel for a discounted rate.)
- Colonna Palace Hotel
We encourage booking early, as hotel availability and pricing in Rome can change quickly during busy travel seasons.
Yes. This pilgrimage is designed to be flexible, allowing you to choose accommodations that match your budget and travel style. We provide recommended hotel options near the group’s primary meeting locations.
We intentionally allow pilgrims to book their own flights so they can decide their arrival and departure dates, extend their stay, depart from their preferred airport, and use rewards points or coordinate additional travel plans. Booking earlier also generally means better airfare pricing and more hotel options!
Is This Pilgrimage Right for Me?
Yes. Some days will involve significant walking, especially through the Vatican area. This could include up to 30 minutes of walking on uneven surfaces through the city between places of interest. Please note that taxis, Ubers, and buses are also options if you prefer not to walk between stops.
Pilgrims come from a wide range of backgrounds, including professionals, parish leaders, alumni and parents of Santa Croce, couples, and other lifelong learners looking for a unique way to experience the Eternal City.
Not at all! This pilgrimage is designed for curious, engaged Catholics who desire to grow in faith and understanding of the Church. The seminars and experiences are accessible and conversational, and we believe anyone will come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation for their Catholic faith.
