Journal

About the Pilgrimage

One of our favorite pilgrimage chaplains, Fr. Alfonso Aguilar, would like to give you a personal invitation to Poland and give a short rundown of our adventure!

Is it safe and easy to travel to Poland on pilgrimage? YES!

We also took a group in August 2023 and it was a wonderful and blessed pilgrimage every step of the way. You can see the 2 hour video here. You will also receive your own exclusive video of YOUR trip to Poland…

Below is a video of our good friends and frequent pilgrims Doug and Shannon will share their experience recently in Poland. They mention two guides Olga and Jacek. These are OUR two guides we will be using in August of this year!

Join us before the it is full — and it will fill fast!

ITINERARY

Day 1: April 23 • Depart USA Depart on overnight flights to Krakow Day

2: April 24 • Krakow arrival

Upon arrival in Krakow, meet Steve and Janet Ray, along with their favorite Polish, Catholic tour guides. Board the motor coach and depart to Zakopane, Poland’s winter capital nestled in the Tatra Mountains and Saint Pope John Paul II’s favorite place for recreation and relaxation. Celebrate Mass at a local church. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner hosted by Steve and Janet Ray. Overnight in Zakopane.

Our Polish Catholic guides Olga and Jacek

Day 3: April 25 • Zakopane | Sightseeing with Gondola Ride

Enjoy a tour of Zakopane, nestled in the scenic hills of Southern Poland. Celebrate Mass at Fatima Church, which was built by the mountaineers in gratitude for the Blessed Mother saving the life of St. John Paul II from the assassination attempt. (This church was blessed by St. John Paul II in 1999.) Take the Gondolas to Mt. Glubowka for a bird’s eye view over the city and hillsides of Zakopane where St. John Paul II used to climb the trails. Next, tour the city, followed by a delicious “highlander lunch”. This afternoon there will be time for strolling and shopping on Krupowki Street. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Zakopane.

Day 4: April 26 • Zakopane | Kalwaria Zebrzydowska | Krakow

Depart Zakopane for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the only Calvary on the UNESCO list where on the slope of the hill an architectural ‘Way of the Cross’ is constructed out of 40 chapels. The Shrine is dedicated to the Passion of the Christ and also to the miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine. Lunch on own before continuing on to Krakow. Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Krakow.

Day 5: April 27 • Krakow | Celebrate Divine Mercy Mass at the Shrine

Breakfast at the hotel this morning. Early departure to Łagiewniki for Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations. Visit the Divine Mercy Shrine where you will see images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, as well as the Saint’s convent chapel and her Tomb. Attend public Mass for the Divine Mercy Sunday celebration. Visit the “Have No Fear Center” dedicated to Saint John Paul II and have time to pray by his relics. Lunch on own and free time this afternoon. Dinner on own and overnight in Krakow.

Day 6: April 28 • Krakow Sightseeing | Wieliczka Salt Mine

This morning, enjoy a tour of Krakow. Start with Wawel Hill, one of the most beautiful Renaissance residences in Central Europe, visit Wawel Cathedral and celebrate Mass. Continue to Market Square, the biggest in Europe, via Kanonicza Street, pass by the Papal Window of Bishop’s Palace from which Saint John Paul II used to address his followers, see the patio of Collegium Maius where the Pope was a student. Visit St. Mary’s Church, famous for its Wit Stwosz’s wooden altar. Lunch on own before departing to Wieliczka. Upon arrival have a guided tour of the World Famous Salt Mines to see the statue of St. John Paul II, which is carved in salt (pending confirmation). Return to Krakow for dinner on own and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: April 29 • Krakow | Auschwitz | Wadowice

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Auschwitz, the largest World War II concentration camp in Europe. Take a guided tour of the camp including the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Celebrate Mass at St. Maximilian Kolb Shrine at Harmeze. Continue to Wadowice, the birthplace and hometown of St. John Paul II. Enjoy a group lunch at a local restaurant. Visit St. John Paul II’s childhood home, which is now a museum. Return to Krakow for a group dinner and overnight.

Day 8: April 30 • Krakow | Czestochowa | Warsaw

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out, and depart for Częstochowa, the center of Poland’s religious life and home of the famous icon of the Black Madonna. Lunch on own en route. Enjoy a guided tour of Jasna Gora Monastery where you will see the Treasury, the Knight’s Hall, the Refectory, the basilica of the Holy Cross and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. View the famous icon of the Black Madonna to which miraculous powers are attributed. Celebrate Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery at one of the chapels. Free time for prayer and exploration. Continue to Warsaw, the capital of Poland for a group dinner and overnight.

Day 9: May 1 • Warsaw Sightseeing | St. Maximilian Kolbe

Depart to Niepokolanow – the Immaculata city, built by St. Maximilian Kolbe. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Return to Warsaw for a city sightseeing tour that introduces us to the most important sights of the capital city of Poland. Raised from the ashes of World War II, we begin our tour at St. John’s Cathedral, where Servant of God, Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, is buried. Also see the Royal Castle Square, which features the magnificent royal residence and Sigmund Column. Next see the Jewish Quarter and Heroes Memorial. Visit the beautiful Łazienki Park and Palace, former summer residence of the Polish King, and see the famous Chopin Monument. Enjoy a group dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Warsaw.

Day 10: May 2 • Return to USA

Check-out of the hotel and transfer to the Warsaw airport for return flights to the USA.