Monday December 26, 2005
Depart from the USA via scheduled airline service to Rome, Italy. Enjoy full meal/beverage and in-flight entertainment during this trans-Atlantic flight.

Tuesday December 27, 2005 Rome
Rome Airport arrival assistance. Meet MCI European staff who assist group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer into Rome. Enjoy a panoramic tour to downtown Rome before check.in at a hotel or religious house. Afternoon at leisure.

5:00pm – Opening ceremonies in the Vatican’s Sala Nervi. All choirs will be introduced and sing together. Some choirs will be chosen to sing individually. There will be a welcoming address from a Vatican dignitary, and the President of the International Federation of Pueri Cantores will make an official declaration opening the International Congress. Dinner at nearby restaurant Il Giardinaccio. Evening meeting of all directors.

Rome - myth has it that Rome was founded around the Seven Hills in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus. During the centuries that followed, Rome became the focal point of western history as the Roman Empire flourished throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. After the fall of the Empire the city prospered again during the Renaissance under the influence of the Church and such geniuses as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Bernini. The inspiring treasures of their achievements await your visit.

Wednesday December 28, 2005 Rome
Half.day Pilgrim’s Tour of the Holy Sites of Rome. Enjoy touring Vatican City (the home of His Holiness the Pope and the center of Roman Catholicism), as well as the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (featuring Michelangelo's Ceiling Frescos and The Last Judgement). Dinner at the hotel. International Congress activities or evening concert.

Thursday December 29, 2005 Rome
Morning walking tours organized by Tour Managers. Afternoon tour of the Catacombs. Dinner in the hotel or at a local restaurant. International Congress activities or evening concert.

The Catacombs are south of Rome beside the Via Appia Antica (Old Appian Way). Owing to laws forbidding burials within the city of Rome, the Appian Way became lined with many tombs. Until the middle of the second century, there were no cemeteries for Christians, so pro-Christian families would make land available for burial of fellow Christians and their relatives. Due to lack of space, when there was no more room on one level, excavation began on a lower level. The popes strongly urged the faithful to pray at the martyr’s tombs, so they also became meeting places for the faithful.

Friday December 30, 2005 Rome
Full.day Pilgrim’s Tour to Assisi. Assisi owes its fame to St Francis, born here in 1182, the son of a wealthy merchant, who after spending his early years in a life of dissipation, devoted himself to the service of the poor and the sick, founded the Franciscan order and died in 1226 in poverty and abstinence. Enjoy a tour of this city, including a tour through the Basilica di S. Francesco, both the Superior (upper) and the Inferior (lower) churches. Participate/sing in a Mass in the Basilica di S. Francesco. Return in the late afternoon to Rome. International Congress activities or evening concert.

Assisi - this walled city is prettily spread across the slopes of Monte Subasio and retains its medieval character. It is closely associated with St. Francis, as related in the numerous accounts of his life and work. With its well.preserved medieval streets and houses and its treasures of art, Assisi is one of Italy's great pilgrimage and tourist sights.

Saturday December 31, 2005 Rome
Half-day tour of Imperial Rome, including entrance to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Also view the Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, Palatine Hill, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain. Afternoon combined choral rehearsal in Sala Nervi with all participating choirs. Evening New Year’s Eve Party (ending promptly at midnight). Return to the hotels to rest up for tomorrow’s exciting activities.

Sunday January 1, 2006 Rome
Participate/sing in the morning Pontifical Mass in St. Peter(s Basilica in the Vatican. Having seen St. Peter’s Basilica, we will this afternoon visit the other four major Basilicas in Rome.

The five major Basilicas in Rome are: 1) Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterno (St. John in Lateran) is the Cathedral of Rome, the mother of all churches in Rome and in the world. Founded by Constantine, during the time of Pope Silvester (314-335) it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The current basilica dates from the 17th century. 2) Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) is the greatest of many churches dedicated to Our Lady; it is the only Roman basilica which, in spite of several additional decorations, has retained its original shape. It was built, according to tradition, in 352 A.D. after an appearance of the Blessed Virgin. The basilica, also called "Liberiana", dates from the time of Pope Sixtus III (432-440). 3) Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura (St. Paul Outside the Walls) was built over the burial place of the Apostle of the Gentiles and consecrated in 324. The building of the first place of worship over St. Paul's tomb has been attributed to the Emperor Constantine. A larger basilica was erected by the Emperors Valentiniano II, Theodosius and Arcadius. Destroyed by fire in 1823, it was rebuilt on the same foundations and consecrated by Pope Pius IX. 4) Basilica di Santa Croce (Holy Cross) – houses relics, cherished by Christians since the earliest Christian era, of the Holy Cross, the Crown of Thorns and more. It is a real must for pilgrims. 5) Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano (St. Peter’s Basilica) - the splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome of Michelangelo. The construction of this basilica, plagued by numerous obstacles and problems, was carried out by Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Bramante, and Domenico Fontana. The basilica rises over the foundations of a paleochristian Church, which, according to tradition, was built over the tomb of the martyred Apostle Peter.

The Basilica of St. Peter

Tuesday January 2, 2006 Depart for the USA
Transfer to Rome Airport for the return flight to the USA. Arrive home in the evening of the same day.

Choir singing in a Roman church.