Organised in partnership with Pilgrimage People, the five day pilgrimage will take place from 27th to 31st October 2026, offering clergy and laity alike the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the saints and martyrs, and to celebrate Mass in some of the most sacred places in Christendom.
The pilgrimage begins with a flight from Stansted to Rome, where pilgrims will visit the ancient Catacombs, learning about the courage and faith of the early Christians. Mass will be celebrated there, a moving way to begin our diocesan celebration, rooted in the witness of the Church’s earliest martyrs.
A highlight of the week will be attendance at the Papal Audience in St Peter’s Square, subject to the Holy Father’s schedule, with tickets provided for the group. Pilgrims will also have the opportunity to explore St Peter’s Basilica more fully, perhaps climbing the Dome or visiting the Vatican Museums.
During the pilgrimage, daily Mass will be celebrated at significant sites, including St Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, where the group will gather for their final Mass before returning home.
The programme also includes a full day tour of Rome, with visits to St John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, and St Mary Major. Pilgrims will be able to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at St Mary Major, a place of particular resonance for many in the Church today.
Further visits include the Basilica of San Clemente, with its remarkable layers of Christian history, and a guided tour of the Colosseum, a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship in the early centuries of the Church. The group will also spend time at the Venerable English College, praying in its chapel and recalling the courage of the English and Welsh martyrs who trained there.
Alongside the spiritual programme, the pilgrimage offers time for fellowship and shared meals, with accommodation in a centrally located hotel on a half board basis. There will be free time for personal exploration, prayer and reflection, allowing pilgrims to enter more deeply into this Jubilee celebration.
The cost of the pilgrimage is £1,550 per person sharing a twin or double room, with a limited number of single rooms available for a supplement of £220. The price includes return airfare with 10kg carry on baggage, accommodation, transport in Italy, guiding services, gratuities and entrance fees. Please note that the itinerary is not suitable for less able travellers. A deposit of £400, together with a completed booking form with the balance due by 4 August 2026. The booking reference for this pilgrimage is RCDEA01.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of East Anglia, this pilgrimage offers a profound opportunity to give thanks for the faith that has been handed down to us, to pray for the future of our Diocese, and to deepen our communion with the Universal Church. All are warmly invited to consider joining Bishop Peter and fellow pilgrims for what promises to be a grace filled and memorable Jubilee journey to Rome.
