Spiritual Travel to Italy: Nurturing the Spirit in Places of Artistic and Religious Beauty

Italy stirs the spirit and nutures the soul. Visionary men and women have made Italy a land of rich spiritual heritage. Some of the best preserved early Christian sites in the world are found in places such as Rome and Naples. Italy has celebrated faith with beautiful art, from humble frescos in catacombs to the genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence or Giotto's moving paintings of St. Francis' life in Assisi.

For centuries Christians have traveled to Italy to visit the tombs of Peter and Paul in Rome and to savor the artistic and cultural genius of cities such as Assisi, Siena, Florence, Ravenna and Venice. It continues to be the favorite destination of world travelers as it inspires visitors with moving history, breathtaking art, panoramic vistas, enchanting cities and savory cuisine.

Illume brings people to places of important religious and historical significance as a way to inspire growth and transformation. We invite you to organize a group event to Italy as a way to nurture members of your congregation, school or organization.

Program Objectives

Experience the life and times of visionary men and women
Travel to times and places of great visionary men and women of Christian history - such as the great apostles Peter and Paul of Rome, Catherine of Siena, Francis and Clare of Assisi, Thomas of Aquino, Ambrose of Milan, and Prisca and Aquila of Rome. Walk along the very ancient streets they journeyed or spend time in the serene medieval towns they enlivened with their faith. With local archaeologists and historians learn about the unique events that shaped Christian life throughout the Italian peninsula.

Be moved by religious art and architecture
People have always sought to capture and express their faith in stone, pigment and glass. Italy has the richest collection of religious art and architecture in the world. Trace the development of worship space from small house churches to the great Basilica of St. Peter's. Learn about early Christian artistic symbols in the catacombs and trace their development from the 1st century to medieval gems such as S. Clemente in Rome, S. Francesco in Assisi, Convento di San Marco in Florence, S. Vitale in Ravenna or S. Marco in Venice. Soar with great Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, his "David" in Florence, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, or S. Maria del Carmine in Florence.

Worship in historical venues
One of the most powerful features of a spiritual journey to Italy is worshiping in historical venues. These moments build community as pastoral leaders help participants connect with Christians of former ages and grow to appreciate the continuity of belief and witness of faith. Some suggested venues include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Paul Outside the Walls, the catacombs, the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi, the house of St. Catherine in Siena, the apartments of St. Ignatius in Rome, and historical monasteries such as Monte Oliveto Maggiore, La Verna, Fossa Nuova or Subiaco.

Illume designs programs to Italy in collaboration with group leaders. Each program builds activities around the specific objectives of your group including activities such as guided visits to historical sites, religious ceremonies in historical venues, visits to museums with local art historians, visits to early Christian sites with local Christian archaeologists, visits to vineyards and unique restaurants, and other cultural activities.

Other cities worth exploring for their rich religious, artistic and cultural heritage include Naples and Pompeii (with excursions to Monte Cassino and Amalfi), Orvieto, Sienna, Bologna, Padua, Verona and Milan.

Email or contact us to learn more about how we can customize this program for your specific interests.