Fr. Regie Malicdem and Fr. Kali Pietre Llamado
February 9, 2025
Italy
When Pope Francis opens St. Peter’s Basilica’s Holy Door on December 24, 2024, the Year of Jubilee of Hope will formally begin. This event signifies God creating a fresh avenue for salvation, mercy, and grace. These beautifully sculpted doors are the first to be opened during a holy year. Next to open will be the Holy Doors of the other three major basilicas in Rome: St. Mary Major, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran.
Embark on a pilgrimage to Rome and other parts of Italy in 2025 for the Jubilee Year and enjoy the rare opportunity to pass through the holy doors. Be a Pilgrim of Hope. Join a 13-day Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Italy with Fr. Kali Pietre Llamado and Fr. Regie Malicdem on February 9-21, 2025.
Begin your pilgrimage with a 4-night stay in the beautiful city of Rome. Dubbed the greatest open-air museum in Europe, Rome will steal your breath away. Visit 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 St. Mary Major. A highlight of your visit is the opportunity to attend the Papal Audience with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Leave Rome for Subiaco, where St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order, retired as a hermit and founded 12 monasteries before departing for Monte Cassino. When you arrive at the village, the Ponte di San Francesco, a 1358-built medieval arch bridge over the River Aniene, will greet you. Visit the Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco (Holy Cave), which enshrines the very cave in which the young Saint Benedict of Norcia lived in the early sixth century as a hermit. Adorned with frescoes and paintings that date back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Saint Benedict Monastery, also known as the Holy Cave, is one of the most breathtaking medieval monasteries in the world!
Head for Montecassino to see the Abbazia di Montecassino, which was established by St. Benedict in 529 and serves as the mother monastery of the Benedictines. The elaborate church from the 17th century is decorated inside with exquisite mosaics, frescoes, and marble. The relics of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, his twin sister, are housed in a bronze urn beneath the high altar of the Basilica. The group will be scheduled for Mass before leaving for Naples.
Travel to Mont Sant’ Angelo to see the grotto that houses the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo), a sacred cave where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared and consecrated the shrine himself.
Continue with your pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. Visit the cell where St. Padre Pio lived and died. See the crucifix in the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie Church), where he received the stigmata while in prayer. Pray 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).
Next stop is Lanciano to view the Eucharistic Miracle, still miraculously preserved in a monstrance at the Church of St. Legontian since the 8th century. Continue with your pilgrimage to Manoppello to visit the Santuario del Volto Santo (Shrine of the Holy Face), where a piece of linen cloth depicting the face of Jesus Christ is kept in the church. Head for Loreto to visit the Basilica of the Holy House, a shrine believed to be the house where our Blessed Mother was conceived and born and where the Holy Family lived. Pious devotees believe that the same house was flown over by angelic beings from Nazareth to Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia). Then the house was again transported to the hilltop town of Loreto in Italy in 1294. Cascia, the hometown of St. Rita of Cascia is the next destination. Visit and celebrate mass at the Monastery and Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia, the minor basilica where the incorrupt body of St. Rita is preserved.
A two-night stay in the picturesque hills of Assisi, the birthplace of one of the most beloved Catholic saints and the founder of the Franciscan order, St. Francis of Assisi, is a great way to cap off your trip. Admire the magnificently ornate Basilica di San Francesco, which houses the tomb of St. Francis
Take part in the Jubilee, a tradition with biblical roots which happens only once every 25 or 50 years. Heed the call of His Holiness, Pope Francis, for a special year of grace in 2025 with the chance to obtain a plenary indulgence. Join a 13-day Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Italy with Fr. Kali Pietre Llamado and Fr. Regie Malicdem on February 9-21, 2025. May one seize the opportunity to grow in faith and rediscover God’s kindness and grace throughout this year of reconciliation.
Rome, the Eternal City, is the capital and largest city of Italy. It is the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita (the sweet life),...
RomeRome, the Eternal City, is the capital and largest city of Italy.
It is the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita (the sweet life), the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain.
Rome, as a millennium-long center of power, culture and religion, has exerted a huge influence over the world in its roughly 2,800 years of existence. The historic center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rome has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it one of Europe’s and the world’s most visited, famous, influential and beautiful capitals. Today, Rome has a growing nightlife scene and is also seen as a shopping heaven, being regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world. With so many sights and things to do, Rome can truly be classified a “global city.”
The Vatican City is a walled enclave within the city of Rome. It is the temporal seat of the Pope, the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. It is also the world’s smallest state.
San Giovanni Rotondo was the home of St. Pio of Pietrelcina from July 28, 1916 until his death on September 23, 1968. It is a city in the province of...
San Giovanni RotondoSan Giovanni Rotondo was the home of St. Pio of Pietrelcina from July 28, 1916 until his death on September 23, 1968.
It is a city in the province of Foggia, Puglia region in southern Italy.
San Giovanni Rotondo centers on the tomb of St. Padre Pio, a Capuchin friar, priest and mystic known for his devotion to God, care for the sick and supernatural gifts. He was declared a saint in 2002.
The Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo receives 7 million pilgrims each year. The large and ultramodern Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church was built in devotion to the saint and to accommodate the increasing throngs of pilgrims that visit the place.
The city is renowned for its hospital and medical research center Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of the Suffering) founded by St. Pio of Pietrelcina and is considered one of the most efficient hospitals in Europe.
Italy’s famed gelato is a big hit! Make a game of tasting one in every Italian city you will visit — compare and enjoy!
Learn these simple Italian words: “grazie” (thanks); “ciao” (hello or goodbye); and “prego” (you’re welcome or please)
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.
Shop for rosaries, medals, and other religious souvenir items while on pilgrimage, and ask your pilgrimage chaplains to bless them before heading home.
Whisper a prayer for your loved ones before the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio while on your visit to San Giovanni Rotondo.
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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
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