Answers to your
questions

What is the Truth & Beauty Project?

A non-profit 501(c)(3) initiative founded by John & Ashley Noronha in 2017, with a mission to renew Christian culture by leading people to the deeper truths of the faith through real encounters with beauty. We believe that beauty—whether in art, architecture, Scripture or liturgy—can serve as a pathway to understanding Christian truth and deepening one's faith. Participants engage in week-long immersive experiences in Rome, designed to help them explore the richness of Christian tradition, woven together with theology, philosophy, metaphysics, anthropology, Church Fathers, Scripture and liturgy.

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TBP's Immersions offer spiritual formation, theological discussions, and walks through Rome’s sacred spaces to connect participants with their faith in a profound way. The goal is for participants to leave with a clearer sense of their Christian identity and a desire to continue to grow in virtue and build virtuous communities. Ultimately, the Truth & Beauty Project seeks to help people "make their lives a masterpiece" (Ephesians 2:10), by blending the intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic dimensions of Christian life. Each of us is an artist, and our canvas is our life. So let's make it a masterpiece!

Who runs the Truth & Beauty Project?

Click here to meet the founders, John & Ashley Noronha and here to meet the TBP Board.

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What's the inspiration behind the Truth & Beauty Project?

The story of the founding is beautiful and we’ll share more of the amazing movements of God's Providence with you on the first night of your Immersion.

We realized the need for TBP since today’s culture and the world we live in make it very difficult for people to stand firm in their Christian identity. There’s a crisis of faith, purpose and meaning, while souls, hearts, minds, faith and the culture are in the balance. So, building on our work as university professors in Rome, we founded the Truth & Beauty Project in 2017 to respond to the crisis.

We do this to help our participants:

• plant firm roots in their identity as Christians

• craft intentional and purposeful lives

• joyfully spread faith and virtue to others

• discover the beauty of the faith and the world with new eyes.

What is the Truth & Beauty Immersion experience?

Offered throughout the year for people of all ages, our carefully Curated TBP Immersions can be designed according to your schedule. Our signature is the week-long Immersion.

These Immersions utilize an original and exclusive multidisciplinary design

• for a spiritual, intellectual and personal experience, while surrounded by the exquisite beauty of Rome

• with discussions with experts on theology, philosophy, history, culture, and art

• that touches the whole human person with sessions devoted to successful living and leadership

• including dedicated times for prayer, Sacraments

• connecting Scripture to the world around you as you learn to live the liturgy

• changes lives and faith

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Although each Immersion is unique, there are particular elements that are common to all, such as walking encounters with beauty through the city of Rome, great Italian food and wine, daily liturgy, prayer and Scripture, talks from experts and group discussions.

An Immersion is not a pilgrimage, it’s not a tour, or a seminar. TBP Immersions are a Masterclass of faith and of living with excellence. An Immersion is a multidisciplinary and multi-sensory faith-experience with a curated curriculum that encounters authentic beauty and works to develop the whole human person, so our participants can grow in virtue, spread that to society, and make their lives Masterpieces (Eph 2:10).

Each curated Immersion is designed with a theme or focus that fits the needs of that group - we've served CEOs, professional association members, parish staff, VIPS, donor groups, young adults, organization leaders, priests, seminarians, friends, families and more.

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What are the 4 pillars of a TBP Curated Immersion?

FAITH - Through TBP’s unique interdisciplinary and integrated approach, our participants deepen their faith, become firmly rooted in their Christian identity , build an unshakable foundation, through the lens of authentic truth and beauty, all in Rome, the heart of the faith. INTENTIONAL LIVING - TBP Immersions touch the whole human person and also reinforce practical skills and strategies from experts to live a discerned, organized, joyful, and purposeful, Christian life, focused on personal growth and oriented to bear fruit in the world. LEADERSHIP - TBP builds strong personal skills to inspire and influence others to succeed in the world and to grow closer to Christ. COMMUNITY - TBP Immersions build up the Body of Christ in fellowship with other participants, TBP alumni and the worldwide TBP family.

What will I gain from the Immersion experience?

Your faith will be inspired in the living classroom of Rome, as you learn to make your life a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) through formation in intentional living, virtue, art, scripture, living liturgically, Church history, Roman history, and theology, all while soaking in the beauty of Rome, the heart of faith. The Immersions strive to answer the question, "what does it mean to live an intentional Christian life today?" "How can I best hear God's call in my life and life with meaning and purpose?" and "how can I do that with joy and courage in a difficult world?"

What does a typical Immersion day look like?

Each day is different and starts and ends at different times. Here's a sample itinerary that contains some of the main daily elements:

· 8.30 am, Morning prayer and Scripture discussion of the day's readings

· 9.00 am, Mass

· 9.45 am A TBP Encounter with Beauty; a walk-and-talk in the living classroom Rome, building on a bespoke theme

· pm, Lunch with expert speaker

· 2.30 pm, Themed discussion, walking experience, or event

· 5.00 Finish for the day

Evening is free for you to explore Rome, rest, and digest the day.

Who are TBP Curated Immersions for?

Any group of 6 - 20 people. Such as: Parishioners, friends, Board members, Donors to your organization, Family, Organization Leaders, Office Staff, Priests, Seminarians, Students, Work colleagues, VIPs, CEOs, Professional association members

NOTE: It’s not a pilgrimage, it’s not a tour, or a seminar. TBP Immersions are a Masterclass of faith and of living with excellence. It’s a multidisciplinary and multi-sensory faith-experience with a curated curriculum that encounters authentic beauty and works to develop the whole human person, so our participants can grow in virtue, spread that to society, and make their lives Masterpieces (Eph 2:10).

How do you choose themes for the Immersions?

​​Each has a hand-picked theme, itinerary, and curriculum, that are inspired by that week’s liturgy and feasts. Each day includes walking along Rome’s cobblestones to encounter beauty, enjoy great food, celebrate Mass, engage in prayer and topical discussions.

​To design a Curated Immersion, we work with each group to develop an overarching theme that fits your group's personality and interests perfectly.

​​Each TBP bespoke week-long Immersion is unique. That’s because we specially tailor the Immersion for each group.

Are there any prerequisites?

There's no particular level of learning or advanced knowledge required. Immersions are custom-designed according to the interests of each group. The only prereq is to bring along a spirit of joy and openness.

Where will I stay?

You are free to find the accommodation that suits your needs and preferences. We recommend being as near to St. Peter's Basilica as possible and have a list of suggested locations for you.

Is an Immersion ecumenical?

​All Christians are welcome with the understanding that the Truth & Beauty Project is grounded in the principles of Catholic doctrine and faithfully adheres to the authentic teachings of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Catholic liturgy and teaching are integral to the program.

When will the next Immersion be?

We can design a TBP Immersion for you any time of year. Simply get together a group (between 6 and 20 people) of any age and we can curate a unique TBP Immersion, just for you. ​Or,​ check our Upcoming Events page for Immersions that are already planned that you can join.

Where do I start?

A great place to start is with our TBP Immersion Kit where you can read more about what our TBP Immersions are about.

From there, simply email us at info@truthandbeautyproject.org and we can discuss designing a bespoke, curated Immersion for you.

How should I pack?

Click here for the latest weather in Rome.

​​​- To beat the heat of a Roman summer, bring a sun hat, bathing suit, sunscreen, sun umbrella with UV coating, and water bottle.

- When entering churches, it is required to cover your shoulders and knees out of respect for these places of worship. If it's hot and you'd like to wear shorts or a sleeveless top, we recommend bringing along 2 scarves, which you can wrap around your shoulders and waist when entering a church.

- Bring comfortable, broken-in walking shoes.

- There are no formal events during the Immersion, but we do recommend dressing in a business casual style for the daily events. Also, consider that you may want to bring more dressy outfits for dinners on your own.

- For rain, bring waterproof shoes. If you don't bring an umbrella it's easy to buy umbrellas and rain ponchos on the street.

How can I prepare spiritually?

We invite you to pray for all participants, and the entire TBP family TBP Patrons, Board Members, Mentors, Prayer Team and organizers of the Truth & Beauty Project. Also to pray for an open heart to the work of the Holy Spirit and for a spirit of expectation and adventure.

We also invite you to join us and others around the world in our daily prayer

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What's the best way to prepare physically?

• Get comfortable with walking daily

• Make sure your shoes are comfie and broken in​

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What are the "TBP Encounters with Beauty" like?

These are walking experiences in the living classroom of Rome, gaining new eyes to see sacred sites, art, architecture and connecting it all to Scripture. Click here for samples of some of our most popular TBP Encounters with Beauty. ​​

What do participants find most challenging on an Immersion?

The daily Immersion schedule is full and intense, so we recommend using the evenings for resting, reflecting, and digesting all of the insights, wisdom, and information you've taken in during the day.

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Is there time to ​ask questions during the Immersion?

Yes! We invite you to bring your curiosity and questions, and we design time for sharing and conversations over fabulous Italian meals.

How much walking will we do?

Rome is a very walkable city and the best way to experience it is to wander the streets on foot. Your Immersion will include daily walking itineraries for several hours in various parts of the city. So bring your comfortable, broken-in shoes and be ready to enjoy!

For getting around on your own, public transportation, taxis, and Uber are also easily available in Rome.

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What should I see on my own in my free time?

Ideas for free evening adventures after TBP winds up for the day:

• A walk through Villa Borghese

• Piazza Garibaldi for the best view of the city and sunset

• 8.30 pm vespers at Santa Maria in Trastevere

• The Pantheon (ticket needed)

• Rest and reflect for the next day

What's the cost of an Immersion?

Because every TBP Immersion ​​is unique, we encourage you to contact us directly to discuss your group's vision and needs to determine what the Immersion costs.

The cost includes all of your walks and talks, encounters with beauty, formation experiences, lunches, life-skill trainings, expert speakers, transfers in Rome during Immersion activities, talks, Mass stipends, and all art, architecture, Scripture and liturgy modules.

Lodging and airfare are separate costs, taken care of on your own. We supply hotel recommendations (ranging from convents to 5-star) near St. Peter's Basilica.

Does part of my fee go toward TBP scholarships for young adults?

Yes! A portion of the fee for all TBP Curated Immersions goes back into supporting scholarships for young adults from around the world to have a life-changing faith-experience in a special TBP Young Adult Immersion! For every 10 participants in a Curated Immersion, one young adult receives a full scholarship to attend for free!

What additional costs am I responsible for?

• Your flight to and from Rome

• Your transfer to and from the airport

• Some meals on your own

• Health and Travel insurance

• Your transportation costs within the city, outside of the Immersion hours

• Lodging

When and how is payment due?

​Half of payment is due upon registration. Full payment is due 60 days before the Immersion begins.

Bank/Certified/Checks, Money Orders, ACH, personal checks, Wire Transfers and Venmo are accepted as forms of payment.

What is the cancellation policy?

​Once a deposit or partial/full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing. Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received. In addition to a $300.00 per person administration fee, the following charges apply and will be subtracted from the total trip cost: 46 - 60 days prior to departure: 10%. 30 - 45 days prior to departure: 50%. 29 - 00 days prior to departure: no refund. Phone calls cannot be used as a form of cancellation. Refunds will be issued within 30 to 60 days of receipt of written notice. In the event that The Truth & Beauty Project would cancel the Immersion, a full refund will be issued. If, however, the trip is canceled closer to departure by forces outside of the control of The Truth & Beauty Project, refunds will be as per terms and conditions.

Where can I find emergency contact information in Rome?

https://www.truthandbeautyproject.com/helpfulinformation

​IMPORTANT Passport and visa information

Make sure your passport is valid until at least 6 months AFTER your return date or it will not be accepted at Immigration.

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Click here for information on which countries do and don't need visas to enter Italy: https://www.rome.net/entry-requirements

How else can I support the mission of TBP? ​

1. Pray with us: Join the TBP Family - alumni, Mentors, Donors, Board, organizers, supporters and friends of the Truth & Beauty Project in our daily prayer by clicking here.

2. Volunteer to mentor a young adult: After young adults attend a TBP Young Adult summer Immersion in Rome, they can't keep their excitement for the faith to themselves! So, while in Rome, we work with them to develop ideas for how they can "pay it forward" and continue to spread, virtue, truth, and beauty when they get back home. ​You can support a TBP Fellow by giving 30 mins per month to offer on-line guidance and mentorship as a Fellow grows this project and works to spread virtue in a confused culture. Read more here.

3. Support us with your financial gifts: Help us sustain this amazing program (501(c)3) that is transforming faith and lives! Your tax-deductible gift can help young adults have the chance to know their Christian identity and set their faith on fire! Click here to become a TBP Patron.

4. Spread the Word! - Encourage friends and professional colleagues to create a Curated Immersion for their groups - Tell those between 18 - 30 in your life about the TBP Young Adult Immersions - Subscribe to The Scoop and share it with friends and family