Jubilee Pilgrimage

COMMON QUESTIONS:

When and Where is the Jubilee? The Jubilee started with the opening of the Holy Doors at St. Peters Basilica,  Christmas Eve 2024 and will continue through January 6, 2026, Epiphany, with many opportunities for celebration in Rome and throughout the world. The Diocese of Grand Island pilgrimage is to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth, July 28 - August 3, 2025, during which time Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized saint. Included in this pilgirmage is an excursion to Assisi August 4 - August 7, 2025. 

Who can participate in this trip? This is a young adult pilgrimage. Participants must have completed high school by June 1, 2025. This is a small group trip with limited space available so participation it is by invitation to those that have helped as leaders with Higher Ground Retreats.

Will I need a passport to enter Italy? Yes. Every person entering Italy needs to have an up-to-date passport. In general, it is a good rule to have at least 6 months left on your passport from the dates of your travel. If your passport is within the 6 month rule, we advise you to renew it at this time. In addition, Italy and other Europeon nations are requiring a ETIAS travel authorization sometime in 2025. We will monitor whether an application for this authorization will apply to our August travel dates. 

Link for information and application for passport and travel abroad: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html 

How much do I have to pay?  The cost of this pilgrimage is $1900 which includes lodging, transportation while in Rome, registration fees for Jubliee events, daily breakfast & dinners, tickets for some additional historic sites, and travel insurance. This fee also includes travel and lodging for 3 extra days to Assisi. Participants are responsible for booking and paying their own airfare to and from Rome. 

There is a required $500 non-refundable deposit at the time of registration. Two additional non-refundable payments of $700 each will be due April 20, 2025 with final payment due by June 1, 2025.

What if I need financial assistance?  Please contact your parish about possible fundraising opportunities and financial support. In addition, if you plan to raise money by soliciting donors let us know and we can walk with you in this process. (Link for online donations is on the left sidbar )

Fundraising Letter Word Fundraising Letter PDF

Cancellation policy: All payments made are non-refundable due to the contractual agreements made with each booking for this pilgrimage. 

Where are we staying in Rome? Casa di Santa Francesca Romana in Roma, Official Website
 
Trip transportation?  Participants are responsible for booking and paying their own airfare to and from Rome. Once in Rome, ground transporation will be provided in addition to using public transportation. Mostly, walking will be the main way of getting around.. 
 
Who will be leading this trip? The diocesan trip is being coordinated and led by Eric Heckman, the Diocesan Director for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Eric has experience in leading these trips and is familiar with overseas travel. 
 
What does the pilgrimage schedule look like?  We are still working on the itinerary, but the plan is to visit the 4 main jubilee basilica's:  St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran Cathedral, St. Mary Major Basilica and St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica. We will participate in many of the jubilee celebrations/events and we will be present during the canonization Mass of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. In addition, we will visit many of the historical sites of Rome. After a week in Rome, we will travel to Assisi to explore the area in which St. Francis of Assisi lived and served. 
 
Travel Insurance? Is included in this travel package.

Safety traveling abroad. You are responsible for educating yourself and minimizing any dangers in traveling abroad including understanding Italian laws. (See below.)
 
Who do I contact if I need more information? Contact Eric Heckman in the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Chancery [email protected] or 308-382-6565