Like most things in life, price comparison is tricky business, and it can be difficult to truly compare apples to apples. But let’s try. Below are direct quotes from the fine print you’ll find when looking at group tours. Some are from well-established companies who do a fine job, others are from newer companies, who also probably do a fine job. This isn’t to knock how others do things, but rather give you an idea of how to properly price compare. There are many things that factor into the cost of the trip, but these are some of the biggies, and easiest to compare… How long is the trip? How bi ..read more

The weather in Rome is crazy these days. Yesterday the sidewalk was literally melting under my feet. No, really, watch this video. And tonight it’s going to snow. Our Lady of the Snows is a feast we celebrate throughout the Church, but it all started here in Rome on August 5th in the fourth century. A wealthy couple was praying for something to do with their money. The legend says that while they were sleeping, Mary appeared to the man in his dream saying, “I want you to build a church where it snows tomorrow in Rome.” He woke up the next morning, probably all sweaty and gross since sidewalks ..read more

I am leading six group pilgrimages to the Oberammergau Passion Play this year. Having already been to the play several times this spring, I wanted to share some tips for those visiting. Big purses, normal-sized backpacks, and large bags are not allowed. The official max size is a notebook paper-sized bag. I use a small Tom Bihn messenger bag. That said, it depends on the mood of the person working security, I saw small backpacks turned away and large backpacks let through in the same line. Metal water bottles are not allowed. Plastic water bottles are fine. Refreshments are sold, and there a ..read more

One day my mom came home from work and announced that we were becoming Catholic — we were previously nothing. The RCIA classes I attended were at 8 am on Saturday mornings. You can imagine how much a 17 year old club kid enjoyed that. But I listened to my parents and was welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil on April 18th, 1992. I’m sure some of the people in my small southern community were wondering why a goth raver was coming into the Church, to be honest, I was probably wondering the same thing. The people were all very kind, but I definitely felt out of place. It didn’t really matt ..read more

My very first group pilgrimage was with my home parish in June of 2005. We were traveling to Rome and Assisi for the Pallium Mass of our new Archbishop, Wilton Gregory. I’d been to Rome and Assisi many times, and thought I knew my way around. I was wrong. With temperatures soaring into the 100s, my group arrived in Assisi. After several exhausting days battling the Roman heat, we were looking forward to some rest and relaxation in this peaceful Umbrian hill town. Just as our private coach was about to pull into the parking lot, I told them it would be about a ten minute walk up to our hotel. B ..read more

Old friends, new friends, patrons, priests, diplomats, radio hosts, Emmy winners, music industry professionals, best selling authors, travel professionals, and journalists. Stopped on the streets and at Mass by fans and followers. Nearly every day hanging out with someone new. Sharing stories. Catching up. Eating. Drinking. Pilgrimaging. It’s been beautiful. I’ve done more in-person socializing in the last few weeks than in the last few years. Here are just some of the photos from the past few weeks. Four hour lunch with one of my closest friends, Lino Rulli. Ran into the famous Hungarian Am ..read more

There still seems to be a lot of confusion about travel restrictions to Italy. Just in the last few days I had a fully vaccinated friend take a PCR to come to Italy. I had someone I know cancel a visit because he thought a five day quarantine was required even if fully vaccinated. I also had a family try to fly home without taking a test, because they were fully vaccinated. So to help clear things up… Do you need to be vaccinated to travel to Italy? No, that was never the case. Anyone with a negative test could come to Italy. For a few months, those unvaccinated were limited as to what they co ..read more

There still seems to be a lot of confusion about travel restrictions to Italy. Just in the last few days I had a fully vaccinated friend take a PCR to come to Italy. I had someone I know cancel a visit because he thought a five day quarantine was required even if fully vaccinated. I also had a family try to fly home without taking a test, because they were fully vaccinated. So to help clear things up… Do you need to be vaccinated to travel to Italy? No, that was never the case. Anyone with a negative test could come to Italy. For a few months, those unvaccinated were limited as to what they co ..read more

Holy Week is a wonderful time to visit Rome. Here are my picks for the best liturgical events around the city… Palm Sunday Fancy palms. For a Mass with the pope, nothing beats the Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. It is, by far, my favorite Papal Mass of the year. Mass begins at 9:30 AM, I’d arrive by 7 AM for a decent seat. There is a procession to the obelisk, where the Mass begins, followed by a beautiful procession from the obelisk to the main altar. Following Mass, the Holy Father will drive around the piazza. Monday of Holy Week Scourging Pillar Today is the Station Church Ma ..read more

This is the schedule of Masses for the 2022 Lenten Station Church Pilgrimage. Each day, with the exception of Sundays and the Holy Triduum, the North American College (NAC) offers Mass in English. Later in the day is the Official Station Mass in Italian. The official Masses are big deals for the churches. They usually begin with a solemn procession and are often celebrated by a Cardinal or a Bishop. I’ve listed the times for both the English Masses and the Official Station Masses. Articles, videos, and podcasts for each church are also linked below. (What are the Lenten Station Churches?) Week ..read more