Category: Visit Rome

Pilgrim Homes near the Collegio (all have English-speaking staff who can respond to calls and emails):

Villa Maria Pia

• Via Aurelia, 564 – 00165 Rome
• tel +39 06 6641 6657
• email:  villampia@tiscali.it
• website www.casaperferievillamariapiaroma.it/en/
• Please visit their website for details and to reserve. Kindly mention that you were referred by Collegio Filippino.

Suore della Riparazione

• Via Aurelia 481 – 00165 Rome
• tel +39 06 663 7020
• email:  roma@suoredellariparazione.it
• (no website yet)
• They have some 12 beds in a building with no curfew, and 7 beds in a building that closes at 10:30 p.m. Beds could be in single, double or triple rooms. All with wifi. There is also a Chapel. No aircon during summers though.
• The above are just approximate information. Please ask them for exact rates and services.
• Kindly mention that you were referred by Collegio Filippino.

Casa La Salle

• right beside the Collegio, owned by La Salle Brothers
• Via Aurelia 472 – 00165 Roma
• tel +39 06 666981
• Email info@casalasalle.it
• please visit website for rates and to book: www.casalasalle.it

Relics of Saints have to be requested directly from the Vicariate of Rome, and cannot be ordered through the Collegio. Relics may be ordered using the Diocese’s original letterhead, with the Bishop’s or Chancellor’s signature and seal, by writing:The Director of the Liturgical OfficeVicariate of RomePiazza San Giovanni in Laterano 6A00184 Rome – ITALY

• Indicate that the relic will be used for public veneration, and the parish where it will be venerated and conserved.
• Relics are not for sale, though a donation of some €20 is requested per relic container.
• Note that there are no relics available of saints before the 6th century, or of the Holy Cross. Relics of different saints may not be placed together in the same relic container, unless the saints are liturgically celebrated together.
• One may not order many relics for the same parish.
• Processing could take more than two months due to the stringent requirements; hence it would be best to make the request as early as possible.
• The Vicariate Office will send the relic to the requesting Bishop through the Papal Nuncio.

VIEW MAP
(roll your mouse wheel to zoom in – you’ll see the place with picture quality)

Ten-minute walk to the subway satation (CORNELIA station – see the red “M” towards the map’s upper right), that takes you to the Vatican in 10 minutes (OTTAVIANO station), or to the city center in 20 minutes (PIAZZA SPAGNA, BARBERINI, etc. stations).

The swimming pool you see in the map does not belong to us! But yes, the tennis court, basketball court and some ample space with trees.

ARRIVING FROM THE AIRPORT:

BY BUS:

* You may try this SIT Bus service.

* Buy tickets from the agent or driver at the bus platform itself, NOT from a kiosk. The buses are parked along the main road at the arrival level: go out the main glass doors, turn right. See the taxis lining up, and the private vehicles on the outer lanes. Without crossing the street (that is, you are still walking along and outside the glass doors, under a roof), continue walking past the taxis. After 50 meters or so, you will find buses parked diagonally. (The other buses not parked diagonally are for tour groups, not for you.)

* The bus going near the Collegio picks up passengers from one of the platforms, usually no. 5. The display monitor gives the platform number (for example, “5”), then the time, then “Vaticano Termini” (or something similar), and “Sitbusshuttle”.

* To be sure, ask the “Sitbusshuttle” driver or the one selling tickets if it stops near Via Aurelia. Fare is around 6 Euros, travel time is some 30-45 minutes. > They might require you to put even handcarry bags into the luggage compartment under the passenger floor, accessible from big doors from outside the bus, along with the big bags. Make sure you pull out all your documents, money, cameras, tablets, computers and other valuable items before depositing the bags.

* “Via Aurelia” bus stop is 750 meters away from the Collegio, at Circonvallazione Aurelia, 19. (After your visit, when you go back home, you may use this same bus to go to the airport from the Collegio.)

* For bus schedules, go to SIT Bus service and click on “From Fiumicino Airport TO Rome city center”, and look at the second and third columns: Fiumicino APT to Circonvallazione Aurelia (which is the first stop, a 10-minute walk to the Collegio). To return to the airport, click on “From Rome city center TO Fiumicino Airport”.

BY OWN VEHICLE

* whether rented / taxi / friend’s car, etc.

* take the GRA (that’s the highway surrounding Rome, the Gran Raccordo Annulare)

* follow the signs to USCITA 1 (see signs saying Vatican City, Via Aurelia, SS1 Aurelio, etc.). Note that USCITA 1 comes after USCITA 33, which is the last exit (“uscita” means “exit”).

BY TRAIN

* at the airport, follow directions to Rome city center’s TERMINI STATION. Fare is around 16 Euros, travel time is some 30 minutes, and there are trains every 30 minutes or so. Then, see below how to reach the Collegio from Termini station.

ARRIVING FROM TERMINI STATION (OR ANY OTHER SUBWAY STATION):

* Take the Metro (subway) going to the CORNELIA STATION.

* NOTE: DO NOT get off the “Valle Aurelia” station! We are NOT at Valle Aurelia, but at Via Aurelia. “Valle” means “valley”, while “Via” means “street” or “way”. So don’t get off the subway while still in the valley, otherwise you’ll have to walk up the hill! Many confuse this, so please take note: get off the metro at CORNELIA STATION, not Valle Aurelia station.

* Then, see below how to reach the Collegio from Cornelia station.

ARRIVING FROM THE CORNELIA STATION:

* go up the stairs one floor; alternatively, there is an elevator if you need one, though it is a bit hidden from view (just follow some people who do not go up the stairs with the main flow, as they might probably be using the elevator). Whether you take the stairs or elevator, you will end up going through a revolving exit barrier (waist-high).

* after the barrier, if you do not need the elevator: turn left, and go up three sets of escalators. At the top, there will be a fork. Take the right flight of stairs to reach the street level, and continue walking to the bus stop, just before McDonald’s.

* after the barrier, if you need the elevator: go straight ahead to get to the next elevator. Press the topmost button, to exit at the street level. Go right, and continue walking to the bus stop, just before McDonald’s.

* You may take bus number 246, using the same ticket you used for the subway (in such a case, you do not need to punch the ticket in the bus). The bus will turn right at McDonalds, entering Via Aurelia.

* Or you may decide to walk some 10 minutes: go to McDonald’s at the corner and turn right to Via Aurelia.

* Whether you ride bus number 246 or walk, you will pass by the following at your right side: > Some convenience stores, mini-markets, cafe’s, etc. > Two sets of stop lights, with nearby signs saying Comune di Roma, Municipale, Polizia, etc. (those are the Municipal office and police station for the neighborhood). > La Salle Brothers. They have a small gate by a bus stop, then after a bit of fence, their main big gate. > The first gasoline station. (Across Via Aurelia at this point you will see Scuola Ufficiali Carabinieri – the School for officers of the Carabinieri – that’s the military arm also used for civilian purposes). If you’re on the bus, press the stop button now, to get off the next bus stop (the bus stop is right at the end of the Collegio compound, so you will need to walk back a bit to reach the Collegio gate). > After the gasoline station, you will see signs to Parco Tirreno Hotel. Do not enter this side road! The Collegio compound is right after the hotel signs.

* Welcome to the brown gate with grills, at no. 490. Stop and ring the bell. If no one answers, call +39 06 6604 1602 during office hours, or our celfones outside office hours. If you don’t have our celfones, keep on patiently pressing the gate’s doorbell button (read: please let us know a day or so ahead the approximate time you plan to reach the Collegio, so we can wait for you; but not too late please)

From http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/just-1-or-2-or-3-days-in-rome-here-are-free-self-guided-itineraries.cfm

One Day in Rome? (from Summer in Italy website)
http://www.summerinitaly.com/planning/rome_sightseeing.asp

Rome for 2 days, Tripadvisor
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187791-c2687/Rome:Italy:2.Days.In.Rome.html

Rome 1 or 2 days, from Cruises.about.com
http://cruises.about.com/cs/europe/a/rome.htm

Three Days in Rome, WikiHow
http://www.wikihow.com/Spend-Three-Days-in-Rome

1, 2, 3 Days, Rome step-by-step (from Rome.info)
http://www.rome.info/itineraries/

Three Days in Rome — msnbc.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6576271

Rome for 3 days — Reids Guides
http://www.reidsguides.com/italy/destinations/lazio/rome/rome_itin_3D.html

3 Day Itinerary Rome — Open Travel
http://www.opentravelinfo.com/travel_guide/europe/italy/rome_a_recommended_3_day_itinerary

5 days in Rome — Italy Guide
http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/itinerary-for-5-days-in-rome.html

Day 3 Itinerary for Rome — Frommer’s (Days 1 and 2 are already featured above)
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/suggested-itineraries/in-three-days

Rome Public Transport
http://europeforvisitors.com/rome/mobile/transportation/rome-metrebus-tickets-and-fares.htm

— best viewed in spring when the flowers are in full bloom. It was the work of Francesco de Sanctis in the 18th century. The stairs lead to the Trinità dei Monti Church. At no. 26 on the piazza is the Keats-Shelley House where Keats died of tuberculosis at the age of 25.

It’s a rare visitor who hasn’t sat for a while on one of the landings — there’s one every 12 steps — perhaps to download an e-mail from home on a laptop or observe the other sitters, most often young. The fountain at the foot of the steps was designed by Bernini’s father at the end of the 16th century, and it’s reputed to have the sweetest water in Rome. Allow at least 30 minutes for a visit.

After perhaps a shower and rest at your hotel, take bus no. 30, 40, 62, 64, 70, 87, 116, or 492 to reach the:

Piazza Navona

The most beautiful square in all of Rome — and best seen at night — is like an ocher-colored gem, unspoiled by new buildings, or even by traffic. The shape stems from the Stadium of Domitian, whose ruins lie underneath. Great chariot races were once held here. In the center is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, floodlit at night. During summer evenings there are outdoor art shows. Some of the oldest streets in Rome surround Piazza Navona. There is no more romantic place to dine in all the city.

For your arrivederci to Roma, take bus no. 62, 95, 175, or 492.

Fontana dei Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

This is an 18th-century extravaganza of baroque stonework ruled over by a large statue of Neptune. Visitors come here at night for 20 minutes or so to toss a coin into the fountain, which is said to ensure that you will some day return to Rome.

[From frommers.com]

This tour can be covered in a day. Skip places you have already visited.

Piazza San Pietro

Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica)

Musei Vaticani (the Vatican Museums) & the Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel)

Castel Sant’Angelo

Galleria Borghese

Piazza del Popolo

Campo de’ Fiori

Trastevere

There are three other Pilgrim Churches in Rome

The Four Major Basilicas:

• St. Peter’s (Vatican)
• St. Mary Majors
• St. John Lateran
• St. Paul’s Outside the Walls

And three other Basilicas:

• Basilica of St. Sebastian outside the Walls
• Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
• Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls

SUGGESTED ITINERARY:

We largely follow the itinerary drawn up by St. Philip Neri except that instead of going from St. Peter’s to St. Paul’s, we go first to St. Sebastian because this is the farthest out.  This adjustment is adapted to the public transport system of Rome and can be done in a day. A 24hour Rome public transport pass is recommended. So the order is as follows:

1) St. Peter’s Basilica, [start with mass if possible then breakfast at the Vatican]

2) St. Sebastian’s

3) St. Paul Outside-the-Walls [break for lunch]

4) St. John Lateran

5) Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem

6) St. Lawrence-Outside-the Walls and finally

7) St. Mary Major

1. St. Peter’s Basilica
2. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
3. Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
4. Basilica of St. Mary Major

SUGGESTED ITINERARY:

The four major Basilicas can be covered in half a day.

1) Begin with St. Peter’s because it usually has the strictest security and longest line before entry.  It officially opens at 7:00 am but pilgrims form lines as early as 6:00 am.

2) Next go to the farthest out which is St. Paul outside the Walls.

3-4) St. Mary Major and John Lateran are both easily interchangeable because they can be accessed by major bus routes and the metro.

This itinerary would take a whole day if one begins with a Wednesday Papal audience at St. Peter’s Basilica which is usually from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Quoted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_basilica

The Collegio is the Pontifical Home in Rome to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as our Lady of Antipolo.

We have always welcomed guests visiting us for Mass or prayers, a Filipino meal, or just to chat and enjoy the family atmosphere of this Filipino “Home in Rome”.

The “Collegio Day” is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. The Foundation Day actually falls on October 7, but since it is difficult to prepare for this feast right at the beginning of the first semester, we celebrate on May instead. This celebration is at the same time our way of thanking and appreciating all the different Filipino Communities, especially for their prayers and the help they extend to us.

Though the current pandemic has somewhat limited visits, our friends continue to be united with us through their prayers, encouragement and material support. We also include them in our daily intentions, especially in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

At the Main Chapel used every Tuesday, and during feasts with the presence of our Filipino migrants…

At one side altar of the Crypt, where we hold Masses and devotions daily, praying for you our friends and benefactors…

At the Crypt’s altarpiece depicting the two Filipino Saints, San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod…

Outside lockdown periods, pilgrims may join the Collegio‘s prayers and other activities. They may also schedule Masses if they have their own Chaplains, or request Collegio priests to celebrate Mass for them.

We turn in a special way to God, though the intercession of Our Lady, to grant peace to our families and our nations, and good voyage as we make our pilgrimage to Rome and travel through this life…