A Catholic Pilgrimage to St. Rosalia, St. Agatha & St. Lucy
8 Days / 6 Nights | Palermo • Monreale • Cefalù • Catania • Syracuse • Brucoli • Taormina
A Journey Through Sicily’s Saints, Early Christianity, Sacred Art & Mediterranean Culture
About This Pilgrimage
Sicily stands at the crossroads of the Mediterranean — a land shaped by Greeks and Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, yet also by a Christian faith that reaches back to the earliest centuries of the Church.
This Catholic pilgrimage crosses the island in the company of three remarkable women: St. Rosalia of Palermo, St. Agatha of Catania and St. Lucy of Syracuse.
Their stories lead us through hermitages, cathedrals, relics and ancient Christian communities. Along the way, Sicily itself becomes part of the pilgrimage: the golden mosaics of Monreale, Norman Cefalù, Baroque Catania, ancient Syracuse, the coast of Brucoli and the unforgettable beauty of Taormina.
The journey follows Sicily from Palermo and Monreale in the west to Catania, Syracuse and Taormina in the east, with the three saints forming its principal spiritual thread.
Sicily invites us to encounter a Church that is ancient, intensely local and unmistakably Mediterranean.
A Church of martyrs, saints, processions, relics, Marian devotion and faith handed down through generations.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- Historic Palermo
- St. Rosalia, patroness of Palermo
- Sanctuary of St. Rosalia
- Palermo Cathedral
- Ballarò Market
- Cathedral of Monreale
- Magnificent Byzantine-Norman mosaics
- Monreale cloister
- Cefalù Cathedral
- Mediterranean coast of Sicily
- Catania
- Cathedral of St. Agatha
- Relics and devotion to St. Agatha
- Via Etnea and Baroque Catania
- Syracuse
- St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
- Cathedral of Syracuse
- Basilica dedicated to St. Lucy
- Catacombs associated with early Christianity
- Archaeological Park of Neapolis
- Island of Ortigia
- Taormina
- Ancient Greek Theatre
- Sicilian cuisine and local traditions
- Holy Mass throughout the pilgrimage when possible
- Catholic spiritual direction and opportunities for prayer
Sicily & the Early Church
Sicily’s importance for Christian pilgrims extends beyond its individual saints.
The island stood directly along the great maritime routes of the ancient Mediterranean.
The New Testament itself places Sicily within the world of the Apostolic Church: during his journey toward Rome, St. Paul stopped at Syracuse, where Acts records that he remained for three days.
That gives the island a direct connection with the journeys of the Apostle Paul and reinforces the historical depth of Christianity in Sicily.
Syracuse’s ancient city, catacomb tradition and martyrs allow pilgrims to encounter the environment in which some of the earliest generations of Christians practiced their faith.
Saints in the Roman Canon
The pilgrimage has another particularly beautiful liturgical connection.
Both St. Agatha and St. Lucy are among the female martyrs named in the Roman Canon — Eucharistic Prayer I.
Catholics around the world have heard their names at Mass for centuries.
To stand in Catania and Syracuse therefore gives familiar words of the liturgy a new depth.
Names spoken at the altar become real people.
Their cities become real landscapes.
Their martyrdom becomes part of the living memory of the Church.
Christianity at the Crossroads of Civilizations
Sicily’s churches look different from those of almost anywhere else in Europe because the island itself stands at a cultural crossroads.
Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Norman and later European influences shaped its architecture and art.
At places such as Monreale and Cefalù, these traditions meet within Christian sacred spaces.
This gives the pilgrimage a broader cultural message:
Christianity does not erase culture. It can receive, transform and express itself through it.
Faith, Culture & Food
Sicily is especially well suited to a Faith, Culture & Food pilgrimage.
Alongside churches, saints and prayer, travelers experience:
- Palermo’s traditional markets
- Sicilian street food
- Mediterranean seafood
- Pasta and regional specialties
- Cannoli and cassata
- Sicilian wines
- Norman and Byzantine art
- Greek and Roman archaeology
- Baroque architecture
- Coastal villages
- Cefalù
- Syracuse and Ortigia
- Taormina
- Mediterranean landscapes
Food and culture are not additions to the pilgrimage; they help us understand the island and the people among whom these devotions developed.
Suggested Itinerary
DAY 1 — Departure for Sicily
Depart the United States on an overnight flight to Sicily.
As our pilgrimage begins, we entrust our journey to the saints of this ancient island and prepare to encounter the Christian heritage of the Mediterranean.
Meals and overnight aboard the aircraft.
DAY 2 — Arrival in Palermo
Welcome to Sicily.
Upon arrival at Palermo Airport, meet our local guide and transfer to the hotel.
After time to settle in following the international journey, we gather for our first evening together.
Whenever arrival schedules permit, we celebrate an opening Holy Mass, entrusting the pilgrimage and the intentions we carry with us to God.
Welcome dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 3 — St. Rosalia & Catholic Palermo
Today we discover Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital and the city of St. Rosalia.
We begin among the historic streets and markets of the city, experiencing the colors, sounds and aromas that reflect Palermo’s centuries of Mediterranean history.
Our exploration includes Palermo Cathedral and the monumental heart of the city, together with views of landmarks such as Teatro Massimo and Politeama.
The spiritual center of the day is the Sanctuary of St. Rosalia.
St. Rosalia of Palermo
Born into a noble family according to tradition, Rosalia withdrew from worldly life to seek God in solitude and prayer. She became closely associated with the mountain above Palermo, and devotion to her eventually grew throughout the city.
Her relics are venerated at the sanctuary dedicated to her, making this one of Sicily’s most important places of pilgrimage. The source itinerary likewise places Palermo and the Sanctuary of St. Rosalia at the heart of the first full pilgrimage day.
Whenever sanctuary arrangements permit, we celebrate Holy Mass.
Today introduces a spiritual theme that will accompany us across Sicily:
holiness often begins when a person is willing to leave behind what the world considers important in order to seek God.
Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 4 — Monreale & Cefalù
Faith Written in Gold
After breakfast, we travel into the hills above Palermo to one of the great masterpieces of medieval Christianity:
The Cathedral of Monreale
Its magnificent interior is covered with golden mosaics depicting the mysteries of Scripture and the life of Christ.
The cathedral brings together artistic influences from the Byzantine, Norman and Mediterranean worlds, creating one of the most extraordinary expressions of Christian art in Europe.
At the center of the sanctuary, the monumental image of Christ Pantocrator dominates the apse — Christ blessing the world and holding the Gospel.
We also visit the celebrated cloister, whose decorated columns and arches reveal another dimension of Norman Sicily.
Whenever possible, we celebrate Holy Mass in the area.
We then continue along the northern coast toward beautiful:
Cefalù
Set beneath a dramatic rocky promontory and facing the Mediterranean, Cefalù preserves another of Sicily’s great Norman cathedrals.
We visit the cathedral and explore the historic town before continuing to our accommodation.
The combination of Monreale and Cefalù reflects the original route, which highlights both cathedrals as outstanding expressions of Sicily’s Norman Christian heritage.
Dinner and overnight in the Cefalù/Pollina area.
DAY 5 — St. Agatha of Catania
Martyrdom & Fidelity
Today we cross Sicily toward Catania, dramatically situated beneath Mount Etna.
The city introduces us to one of the most beloved martyrs of the early Church:
St. Agatha
Agatha was a young Christian woman from Catania who suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of the 3rd century.
Her refusal to abandon her faith transformed her into one of Christianity’s great early virgin martyrs, and devotion to her remains deeply woven into the identity of Catania.
We visit the Cathedral of St. Agatha, where relics associated with the saint are venerated.
Whenever possible, we celebrate Holy Mass.
We then discover Catania’s historic center, including Via Etnea and Via Crociferi, whose churches and Baroque architecture tell another chapter of Sicily’s Catholic history.
The city itself bears the marks of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and reconstruction, yet devotion to St. Agatha has endured.
Her witness gives us the spiritual theme for today:
fidelity to Christ when fidelity carries a cost.
Continue to the coast near Brucoli.
Dinner and overnight in Brucoli.
DAY 6 — St. Lucy & Early Christian Syracuse
Today we journey to one of the most important cities of the ancient Mediterranean:
Syracuse
Founded by the Greeks and later incorporated into the Roman world, Syracuse became an important center of ancient civilization — and eventually of early Christianity.
Our pilgrimage centers on the city’s great saint:
St. Lucy of Syracuse
Lucy is one of the most famous virgin martyrs of the early Church and is named in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
According to Christian tradition, she was martyred during the persecutions of the early 4th century after refusing to renounce her faith.
We visit sacred places dedicated to her, including the Cathedral, a basilica associated with her devotion and the early Christian catacomb tradition, according to local access and arrangements. These sites form the core of the source pilgrimage’s Syracuse program.
Whenever possible, we celebrate Holy Mass.
Syracuse also allows us to enter the world in which the first Christians lived.
We visit its renowned archaeological area, including the ancient Greek theatre, and discover how classical civilization formed the cultural environment into which Christianity entered.
Later, we explore Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic island center, with its churches, piazzas and Mediterranean waterfront.
St. Lucy leaves us with a simple question:
What does it mean to belong completely to Christ?
Return to Brucoli.
Dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 — Taormina
Beauty, Creation & the Mediterranean
Our final full day brings us to Taormina, one of the most spectacular towns in Sicily.
Perched high above the sea, Taormina opens onto extraordinary views of the Mediterranean and, on clear days, Mount Etna.
We visit the celebrated ancient theatre, whose setting connects Sicily’s classical heritage with the landscapes that have shaped the island for millennia. The source itinerary dedicates its final full day to Taormina and its ancient theatre, followed by time to experience the town.
After the intensity of the stories of Rosalia, Agatha and Lucy, today offers a different kind of contemplation:
beauty itself can direct the heart toward God.
There is time to walk through Taormina’s historic streets, enjoy the views, discover local shops and experience Sicilian café and culinary culture.
Whenever arrangements permit, we celebrate our final Holy Mass, giving thanks for the graces of the pilgrimage.
Tonight we gather for a special farewell dinner, celebrating our journey across Sicily and the witness of its saints.
Dinner and overnight in Brucoli.
DAY 8 — Catania • Return Home
After breakfast, transfer to Catania Airport for our return flight home.
We leave Sicily having encountered three very different witnesses to holiness:
Rosalia sought God in solitude.
Agatha remained faithful through persecution.
Lucy gave her life rather than surrender her faith.
Their stories invite us not merely to admire the saints, but to ask how their courage can reshape our own Christian lives.
End of our services.
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A typical Pilgrim Groups Travel package can include:
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- Round-trip international airfare when included with the selected departure
- Carefully selected hotel accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Private air-conditioned motorcoach
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Local specialist guides where required
- Airport and hotel transfers according to itinerary
- Sightseeing and entrance fees according to the final program
- Headsets where appropriate
- Luggage handling
- Catholic priest / spiritual director when arranged
- Holy Mass throughout the pilgrimage whenever possible and according to church and sanctuary availability
- Opportunities for prayer and spiritual reflection
- Visits to principal churches, sanctuaries and sites associated with the saints
- Pilgrimage materials
- Pre-departure assistance
- Pilgrim Groups Travel support throughout the journey
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