Fr. Marc Bryan Adona, SSS
February 3, 2025
Italy
Pope Francis has announced that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee, an event that happens every 25 years. The theme for the upcoming Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. The 2025 Jubilee will begin in Advent 2024 and run until the Feast of the Epiphany in 2026.
What is a Jubilee?
Taking place every 25 years, a Jubilee year is a tradition that is recognized and respected throughout the world as being a significant part of the history of our faith. Excluding the Extraordinary Year of Mercy in 2015, the last Jubilee year took place in 2000, marking an historic moment as the Church entered into her third millennium.
A Jubilee is a special year of grace in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence – a remission of sins for themselves or deceased loved ones.
The year begins with the well-known custom of the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, following the other three papal basilicas in Rome. Embark on a Pilgrimage to Rome in 2025 for the Jubilee Year. Join a Pilgrimage to Rome with the Shrines of St. Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi with Fr. Marc Bryan Adona, SSS, on February 3-14, 2025.
Begin your pilgrimage with a 5-night stay in the beautiful city of Rome. Home of Popes and Saints, the cradle of Christianity and also of Western civilization, a visit to Rome is the dream of every pilgrim. Visit the major sites, shrines, and basilicas of Rome, including the four major basilicas, and pass through the holy doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and Sta. Maria Maggiore. A highlight of your visit is the opportunity to attend the Papal Audience with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Travel from Rome to Manoppello, where you will visit and attend mass at the Santuario del Volto Santo (Shrine of the Holy Face). The church houses a linen cloth that depicts the face of Jesus Christ. Proceed to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of Saint Padre Pio. Take a look at the cell where St. Padre Pio lived and died. See the crucifix in Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, the Church of Our Lady of Grace, where he received the stigmata. Offer prayers in front of his incorrupt body, displayed in a part-glass coffin at the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (sometimes referred to as Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church).
Make your way to Mont Sant’ Angelo to visit the grotto that is home to the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo), a hollowed cave where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared and dedicated the shrine. After that, travel to Lanciano to see the Eucharistic Miracle, which has been miraculously preserved in a monstrance in the Church of St. Legontian since the eighth century.
Visit the Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto, a shrine believed to be the home of the Holy Family and the place where Our Blessed Mother was conceived and born. Pious devotees hold that the same house was transported by angelic beings from Nazareth to Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia). Then, in 1924, the house was moved once more, this time to the Italian hilltop town of Loreto. See the Monastery and Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia, a minor basilica that houses the incorrupt body of St. Rita, and attend mass there when you travel to Cascia.
Wind down your pilgrimage with a two-night stay in Assisi, a medieval city built on a hill and the home of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order. The sublime city of Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In particular, the Basilica di San Francesco, which houses the tomb of St. Francis, is considered a masterpiece.
For the Jubilee Year 2025, the Holy Doors remain open for pilgrims to walk through and receive the Jubilee indulgence. Be a Pilgrim of Hope in 2025. Join a Pilgrimage to Rome with the Shrines of St. Padre Pio and St. Francis of Assisi with Fr. Marc Bryan Adona, SSS, on February 3-14, 2025. May this pilgrimage be an opportunity to deepen your faith, receive blessings, and receive universal pardon.
Visit the Generalate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Rome, the official residence of La Salle’s Superior General and his council.
Climb the stairs on bended knees at the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in Rome, known to be the steps Christ walked on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate.
Learn these simple Italian words: “grazie” (thanks); “ciao” (hello or goodbye); and “prego”(you’re welcome or please).
Shop for rosaries, medals and other religious souvenir items while on pilgrimage, and ask your Pilgrimage Chaplain to bless them before heading home.
Avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation while on pilgrimage, one of the conditions required to receive the plenary indulgence for the Jubilee year.
Spiritually-focused journeys
Insightful pilgrimage chaplains
Quality accommodations
Expertly-crafted itineraries
Friendly and bonded groups
Senior citizen friendly
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
• Passport with six (6) months validity from the date of departure
• One (1) Visa Application Form
• Two (2) pcs. passport-size pictures
• Original Bank Certificate (both Pesos and/or US Dollars) – must include account type, current balance, account opening, and six (6) months average
• Original or certified true copy of Bank Statement for the last (3) months
• Affidavit of Support and Consent (signed and notarized by the sponsor if financially incapable)
• If married, copy of Authenticated Marriage Contract
• Copy of hotel voucher (to be supplied by ERI)
• Photocopy of International Credit Cards (if available)
• Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of Php2.5 Million (valid for 30 days)
If employed:
• Employment Certificate – must be in company’s letterhead and must include the applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, and company’s address, telephone number, and email address
• Certificate of Compensation 2316
If in business:
• Original and Photocopy of Business Registration, DTI or SEC
• Original and Photocopy of Latest Income Tax Return
• Personal appearance by the applicant
• Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
* Subject to change without prior notice!
1) A US$ 500.00 non-refundable deposit is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo plus the visa fee and travel insurance payment.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than one month before the departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 60 days before departure date – US$ 300.00
> 45 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 30 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> $300 Admin Fee for any visa denial.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure”. All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
