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Spiritual Walks

The idea of a Spiritual Walk comes from Saint Philip Neri, one of the great evangelists of Rome. While we offer these programs, the staff of Santa Susanna has in the past taken pilgrims on a prayerful walk to various churches in the city.

Now, because of changes in staff and pastoral duties, we have fewer opportunties to take pilgrims on these walks.

Because our Wednesday morning tours in the Fall may be in conflict for people attending the Wednesday Papal Audiences, we have decided to offer these walking tours on Tuesday mornings in October and November. We will also be having a weekday (day long) tour to a city outside of Rome as we did this past March to Napoli (Naples): this will be on Wednesday, November 7, and the destination will be Cortona, the home of Santa Margherita. We are also planning a Saturday Parish Field Trip on either October 13 or 27 and will be going to Tarquinia, Lake Bolsena and Marta. We visit several holy sites, seeing these places as pilgrims rather than as tourists and praying in each place that we visit. The prayer is designed to reflect the style and spirituality around which the church was built. The Tuesday walks occur in a limited area. If you have difficulty walking, ask us about the specifics of a walk. These walks require a minimum of at least ten people.

Due to the event surrounding the Paulist Fathers' 150th Anniversary of their foundation, we are unable to offer any Spiritual Walking Tours or Parish Field Trips until September 2008.

Piety
"Piety"
By Baldasare Croce, 1589

Walks for special groups outside of the above, may be possible. Our walks have included:

  • An Esquiline Walk: The houses of the martyrs beginning with the church of Santa Susanna. This is a visit to several churches associated with the early Roman martyrs and ends at Santa Pressades to see some of the oldest mosaics in Rome.
  • An Aventine Walk: This walk explores the rise of monasticism in Rome during the Middle Ages. Beginning with San Anselmo and Benedictine spirituality, the walk ends at Santa Maria in Cosmedin, an early Eastern Christian monastic center.
  • A Trastevere Walk: From the church of Santa Cecilia to Santa Maria in Trasterve this walk visits some of the oldest Christian sites in Rome. An opportunity to learn something about 4th century Christianity.
  • The Center of Rome Walk: A walk through the center of Rome visiting churches associated with the rise of 16th century Catholic Reformation Spirituality, especially the Oratorians, Theatines and Jesuits.
  • A Celian Walk: This walk visits the houses of the early Roman martyrs and explores some fascinating places such as the 5th century church of San Stefano in Rotundo as well as the 9th century fortress church of Quartro Coronati.
  • Special Seasonal Walks: These walks are offered in the liturgical seaons of Advent, Christmas and Lent.


The cost of the walks offered at Santa Susanna is 10 Euro per person and require a minimum of ten people. Groups can request a specific walk at alternative times (if we are available). For scheduled walks check with the office. Check with Fr. Greg