Relics of The Passion of Christ

On this tour expect to have an intimate encounter with the Relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ – physical objects which were used in his torture and death, and which were mostly brought to Rome from Jerusalem by St Helena – the mother of Emperor Constantine – in the 4th century. We begin our tour with a visit to the Basilica of St Mary Major – containing, beneath its main altar, wood from the manger in which the baby Jesus once lay. Next we walk over to the Basilica of Santa Prassede, with its fabulous 9th century mosaics and most importantly the stone pillar on which Jesus was scourged brought from the Praetorium in Jerusalem to Rome in the 13th century. From there you continue on to the Holy Steps on which Jesus was judged by Pontius Pilate, transported to Rome in the 4th century by St Helena.

Then a visit to the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni Laterano) to marvel at the architectural design of Borrimini and to see the place above the high altar where the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul rest. From there you will see one of the most holy places in the world – the Basilica of the Holy Cross – built on earth brought from Calvary in the 4th century.  Learn the history about the artefacts of Jesus’ passion and death that were brought to Rome and finally enter to see fragments of the Holy Sepulcher and the Cave of Bethlehem, a Nail of The Crucifixion, a 2 Thorns of The Crown Thorns, the small walnut board reading Jesus the Nazarene king of the Jews and the wood of the Cross Jesus was crucified on. All pilgrims who join us on this once in a lifetime Catholic pilgrimage tour will be given time to reflect and pray as part of their religious tour experience.