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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 Winter (of 2010) may be in conflict for people attending the Wednesday Papal Audiences, we have decided to offer these walking tours on TUESDAY mornings in MARCH. We are also planning a Saturday Parish Field Trip to Tuscandy towns of PITIGLIANO AND SOVANA on March 20 (details and fees will be posted here in mid-February). 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 Thursday walks occur in a limited area. If you have difficulty walking, ask us about the specifics of a walk.

SPIRITUAL WALKING TOURS WITH FR. GREG in MARCH OF 2010:

TUESDAY MORNINGS, 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM (time approximate)

March 2, 9, 16 and 23

Fee: 10 Euro for each tour, 30€ for all four.

Reservations are necessary. Fees collected on the tour.

March 2, 2010: The Appian Way

Basilica of San Sebastiano Fuori Le Mura and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Meet at Santa Susanna at 9.30 AM or at San Sebastiano at 10.15 AM


March 9: The Trastevere Spiritual Walk

Churches of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Cecilia, San Crisogno and San Francesco a Ripa. Meet at Santa Susanna at 9:30 AM or at Santa Maria in Trastevere at 10.10 AM

March 16: The Coelian Hill Spiritual Walk

Santa Maria in Domnica, Santo Stefano Rotondo, Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, and San Gregorio. Meet at Santa Susanna at 9:30 AM


March 23, 2010: San Giovanni in Laterano and Beyond

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Museo, the Baptistry, then the Churches of Quattro Coronati and San Clemente. We will do these in reverse. Meet at Santa Susanna at 9:30 AM or in front of San Clemente at 10:05 AM

For reservations, please call Rosanna at 06.4201.4554, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM and 4-6 PM, or send Fr. Greg an email at rector@santasusanna.org. Wear good walking shoes. And know that we will have one cappuccino break on each tour.

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