The Altar and
the Mission
A Eucharistic Pilgrimage
for Parish Renewal
Rome | Loreto | Assisi
September 4 - 12, 2026
Experience a profound spiritual pilgrimage.
We are honored to be leading worship and adoration for this transformative pilgrimage.
LOCATION
Rome, Loreto, & Assisi
DATES
September 4 - 12, 2026
EXPENSE
$3,080*
We will be joined on the pilgrimage by Fr. Jonathan McElhone.
Looking ahead:
Sept 4 - Travel
Depart from local airport
Sept 5 - Rome
Mass at St. Paul Outside the Wall, visit Tre Fontane and Our Lady of Revelation Shrine
Sept 6 - Rome
Mass and tour at Vatican, Angelus with the Pope, St. John Lateran, Holy Stairs, Santa Croce
Sept 7 - Rome
See Colosseum and Circus Maximus, visit Our Lady of Perpetual Help, celebrate mass at St. Maria Maggiore
Sept 8 - Loreto
Depart for Loreto, visit and have mass at Sanctuary of the Holy House, Eucharistic adoration
Sept 9 - Loreto/ Assisi
Depart, visit St. Nicholas of Tolentino and Eucharistic miracle at St. Rita of Cascia, mass at Portiuncula
Sept 10 - Assisi
Mass at Basillica of St. Francis, visit St. Mary Minerva and St. Ruffino Cathederals, Basillica of St. Clare, St. Carlo Acutis, Francis’ home, Eucharistic adoration
Sept 11 - Orvieto
Mass at San Damiano, visit Eucharistic Miracle at Orvieto
Sept 12 - Travel
Depart for home
On this unforgettable journey, we will encounter many of Rome's most sacred sites, from the grandeur of the Vatican and the four major Basilicas to the quiet reverence of the Holy Stairs. Gaze upon the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and stand in awe before the Roman Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Join fellow pilgrims as we gather to receive the Holy Father's blessing during the Angelus, and enjoy some free time where you can enter the Vatican Museum or go to another place of personal devotion or interest!
From Rome, we travel to Italy's eastern Adriatic coast to visit the world-renowned Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto. Here, we will learn the remarkable story of Mary’s home, miraculously transported from Nazareth in the 13th century. Inside the beautiful basilica, we will find the humble three-walled house, encased in a stunning Renaissance marble. We will pray in the very home where the annunciation took place. Our pilgrimage will also feature dedicated time for Eucharistic adoration and guided musical prayer.
After departing Loreto, we will find our final home on the serene hill of Assisi. Here, we will spend intentional time asking the Holy Spirit to enliven our personal calling to rebuild the Church. We will walk in the footsteps and visit the tombs of saints both ancient and modern, seeking inspiration from the lives of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Carlo Acutis. The pilgrimage will also lead us to the very birthplace of Francis, the Portiuncula, and give us the sacred opportunity to pray before the original San Damiano crucifix.
Perfect for Parishes:
From Beauty to Encounter:
The end goal is not to just see beautiful things but to encounter Beauty itself: Jesus. Our music will help you converse with Him and go home changed.
Two Eucharistic Holy Hours:
To help facilitate encounter with Our Lord in the Eucharist, we have scheduled Eucharistic adoration in both Loreto and Assisi.
Daily Mass:
The source and summit of our worship will be the daily celebration of Mass at places such as St. Paul Outside the Wall, The Vatican, St. Mary Major, and near the Holy House of Loreto and the Portiuncula.
From Beauty to Truth:
This is a pilgrimage, not just a tour. We will guide you with deep spiritual insights and powerful exhortation. Experiencing beautiful places and sacred worship will serve as a bridge, preparing our hearts to receive and encounter, the way, the truth, the life - Jesus Christ.
Powerful Exhortation:
We are blessed to have Fr. Jonathan McElhone, TOR and Joseph Kiss who will invite and exhort us to find the nourishment for our life in the Eucharist.
A Parish that pilgrimages regularly will be set aflame to serve the mission of Christ in their own community.
The Power of Pilgrimage:
If we look to the wisdom of the saints, we know that pilgrimages transform lives. What could happen to your parish if you created a culture of pilgrimage?
From Revival to Culture:
Eucharistic revival must have the end goal of a Eucharistic culture. Work with The Loreto Project to make regular pilgrimage opportunities a part of your parish culture.
Empower the Young:
To establish a Eucharistic culture, few things are as effective as sending youth and young adults on a pilgrimage that will change their lives.
Renew Parish Leaders:
Staff and leaders pour out to the parish day in and day out. Send leaders of your parish on a pilgrimage that will renew their ability to serve.
In addition to being a perfect time of year to visit Italy, this pilgrimage has been careful chosen to accommodate the needs of the average parishioner.
For Families: Affordable and Perfect Length
Parishes are formed of families, so when considering the duration and timing we chose what we thought might work best amidst the demands of family life. To ensure this pilgrimage is accessible to a wider community, our costs are nearly half the price of similar journeys offered by other groups. Because this is over Labor Day weekend, families and individuals will only need to take a few days off of work in order to join the experience.
Ideal for Youth Groups:
We also formed this pilgrimage with the youth in mind, considering the benefit of youth groups adopting a bi-yearly pilgrimage plan into their program. The trip's affordability and minimal time commitment make fundraising for chaperones, even for young adults, highly achievable. Planning youth events can be challenging due to busy schedules with school, sports, and vacations. This particular time was chosen to avoid conflicts with major family vacations and holidays, as it is early in the school year.
Free Consultations:
We would love to talk to you and provide fundraising ideas that might work for you and your community. We would not only be willing to provide events that work for fundraising but can work with you in crafting a strategy to form a culture of generosity.
Eucharistic Holy Hour:
Reach out to discuss setting up a Eucharistic Holy Hour with guided musical meditation and catechesis. During this evening we would pray that the Lord makes the way for your group to be able to attend this transformative pilgrimage.
*Final price can fluctuate slightly based on departure city and luggage fees. Price includes airfare, transportation, lodging, 2 meals a day, and tips. See Totally Yours Pilgrimages' website for cancellation policy and full terms.