ORNIT

Our core values are centered in the human person, in responsibility, transparency, sobriety, efficency and legality.

ORNIT IS NOT a travel agency, we do not sell trip packages, we look for experiences, an encounter with God, to strenghen faith in every one of our clients.

Our operators in Israel, Paletine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, France, Spain and Mexico, are worldwide recognized by their high standards of quality, most of them belonging to the VIRTUOSO network, high excellency in tourism services. Besides this, we are backed with the technical support and experience of the “Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi”, the largest operator of religious tourism in the world.

We offer to Parishes, Associations and Schools, our support to market and promote their pilgrimages, logistic assistance and the economic collaboration for their own projects and development.

Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi

Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (ORP) is an activity of the Vicariate of Rome, Department of the Holy See, Vatican, at the direct dependence of the Cardinal Vicariate of the Holy Father. With more than 76 years of experience, ORP has been devoted to serving its pilgrims. It was founded 1934, about 70 years after the first apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, offering services to those interested in travelling to the principal religious sanctuaries in Italy and abroad. It was only after World War II that ORP developed the concept of the pilgrimage, and then with the Vatican Council II, the Church rediscovered its "Journeying People of God" and the pilgrimage became an important instrument to evangelize and preach.

Our headquarters

Our headquarters are located in the Palazzo del Vicariato alla Pigna, a structure included within the territory of the Vatican City State. The building, which dates back to the 16th century, was designed by the architect Giacomo della Porta. In 1906 it was purchased by the Holy See and entrusted to the Vicariate of Rome. Later in 1963, Pope John Paul XXIII decided to transfer some of the activities of the Vicariate of Rome to the Palazzo Apostolico Lateranense. His Holiness, however, decided to keep some of the Vicariate's offices involved in pastoral services, in the Palazzo del Vicariato alla Pigna, including Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi. We also have an operational office in Saint Peter's Square and in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Cardinal Agostino Vallini
President, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi
Vicar General of His Holiness

Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar General of Rome, was born in Poli, in the province of Rome, in 1940. He studied at the Major Archiepiscopal Seminary of Naples and the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, where he earned a degree in theology. He was ordained a priest in 1964. He also attended the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, where he earned a doctorate degree in canon and civil law. Over the years Cardinal Vallini held several appointments, including being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Naples and Titular Bishop of Tortibulum by Pope John Paul II. In June 2008, Pope Benedict XVI named him Vicar General of Rome

Monsignor Liberio Andreatta
Vice President, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi

Monsignor Liberio Andreatta was born in Fietta di Paderno del Grappa in the Veneto region in 1941. He studied at the Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Milano and later earned a degree in theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. In 1969 he was ordained a priest and helped found the new parish of St. Anthony of Padova in Corsico. In 1984, Monsignor Andreatta joined ORP where he slowly took on several leadership roles, including serving as CEO.

Father Caesar Atuire
CEO, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi

Father Caesar Alimsinya Atuire was born in Bolgatanga in Ghana in 1967. He earned a degree in civil engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology of London and later earned a degree in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome. Father Atuire was ordained a priest in 1997. He held several management roles at ORP, including General Director, before being named CEO.

Download the beautiful ORP monograph to learn more about Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi.

Why is ORNIT the best choice for your pilgrimage?

• Itineraries planned down to the last detail and customized to your own specifications: the selection of services, spiritual assistance, and technical organization
• Special care given to the spiritual aspect of every journey, creating itineraries that are a pathway and a dialogue between God and man
• Attention specifically to the Christian connotations and the religious essence of each destination
• Discovery of the history, art and religious nature of every site visited
• Led by professionally trained and compassionate guides, with an emphasis on pastoral care
• Especially selected institutions and hotels in locations such as Nazareth, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, and Nepal
• Specialized personnel for hospitality and the coordination of services at every destination
• Specific and informative content in provided audio guide systems
• Opportunities to participate in liturgical celebrations and moments of encounter
• Choices aimed at creating a sustainable exploration of sites with complete respect for the local people and the environment
• Diversified and affordable participation fees

Ornit News

Vatican partnership will assure faith focus for Canadian pilgrims

Michael Swan, The Catholic Register, 23 March 2011

TORONTO (CCN)--If Catholics are ever going to feel at home in a global Church and a globalized world, they had better get out there, far from home, said Father Caesar Atuire, CEO of the Vatican’s service to pilgrims.

Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi has forged a North American partnership to offer travel services for Canadian pilgrims. ORNIT, official distributor of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi services in North America, will offer pilgrimage packages to Rome, Lourdes, Israel and Palestine, walking pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, social justice tours of Nepal and event packages for World Youth Day and the beatification of Pope John Paul II.

Working with Opera Romana, ORNIT’s tours assure a faith focus for all their pilgrimages, including daily Mass.

“We’re living in a globalized world,” said Father Atuire at a Toronto news conference March 15 detailing the partnership. Read more … 

http://www.catholicregister.org/columns/joannemcgarry/item/5264-vatican-partnership-will-assure-faith-focus-for-canadian-pilgrims