Pilgrimage2026

September 14-24, 2026

The Path of Mercy – with Mary, St. Faustina, and St. John Paul II, including a visit to Medjugorje, where the Blessed Mother has been appearing for over 40 years.

Day 1

Day 2

• Arrival in Kraków around noon. After meeting your local guide and transferring from the airport, we begin our pilgrimage with a visit to one of the most significant spiritual destinations in Poland.
• In the afternoon, travel to Lagiewniki, a district of Kraków known as the spiritual heart of the Divine Mercy devotion. This is where Saint Faustina Kowalska—the Apostle of Divine Mercy—lived, prayed, and passed away.
• The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy houses her tomb and the renowned image of the Merciful Jesus, painted according to her mystical vision described in the spiritual classic “Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul.” This mystical book, containing revelations of Jesus about mercy, is one of the most frequently translated religious texts in the world—available in over 100 languages.
• Every day at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy, a global prayer is recited here in many languages, uniting pilgrims around the world in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
• Holy Mass in the Sanctuary and take time for private prayer at the tomb of Saint Faustina.
• Walk to the Sanctuary of John Paul II. The Sanctuary of Saint John Paul II in Kraków is a modern pilgrimage site dedicated to the life and legacy of the Polish Pope, attracting visitors from all over the world.
• Overnight stay in hotel in Kraków, followed by dinner and rest, preparing for the next day of discovery and devotion.

Day 3

• This morning visit St. Florian’s Church, where Pope Saint John Paul II once served as a vicar and lived while working as a university chaplain.
• Our guided sightseeing tour of Kraków begins at the Wawel Royal Castle courtyard, a magnificent Renaissance structure from the 16th century.
• Explore the Wawel Cathedral, the final resting place of generations of Polish kings and national heroes, including President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria.
• Next, a walking tour of the Old Town, discovering the gems of this UNESCO World Heritage Site:
  • The Town Hall Tower
  • The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), standing in the same spot since the 14th century
  • Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, dating back to the 15th century
  • St. Mary’s Basilica, where the famous Hejnał—a trumpet call—is played every hour from the tower, once used to warn the city of approaching danger.
• Lunch in the Old Town.
• Afternoon transfer to Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope John Paul II.
• Visit the Family Home Museum of John Paul II, a modern and deeply moving journey through his life, mission, and legacy.
• Stop at the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Celebrate Holy Mass in the church where Saint John Paul II was baptized, a place deeply rooted in his spiritual journey.
• Enjoy a break with a traditional "kremówka" (cream cake) at his favorite pastry shop.
• Return to Kraków – Dinner in the historic Kazimierz district, once the vibrant center of Jewish life in the city. Today, Kazimierz is known for its unique atmosphere, charming streets, and blend of cultures and cuisines.
• Overnight stay in Kraków.

Day 4

• Morning transfer to Oswiecim to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum – the site of the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp, one of the most important places of remembrance of the Holocaust and human suffering.
• The visit lasts approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours and includes Auschwitz I, with historical exhibitions in the original camp blocks, and Birkenau (Auschwitz II), the site of mass extermination.
• Points of interest include Block 11 (the “Death Block”), the Wall of Death, and the cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who volunteered to die in place of another prisoner – a powerful testimony of sacrificial love.
• After lunch, transfer to Czestochowa, Poland’s spiritual capital and the home of the Black Madonna of Jasna Góra.
• Visit to the Jasna Góra Monastery, a national shrine run by the Pauline Fathers. The program includes the Chapel of the Miraculous Icon, the Basilica, the Treasury, and a deeper understanding of the monastery’s role as a symbol of resistance, faith, and national identity.
• Holy Mass celebrated in the Chapel of the Miraculous Icon, in the presence of the revered image of the Black Madonna, a sacred moment of worship and connection with Poland’s most beloved spiritual symbol.
• Evening participation in the traditional Jasna Góra Appeal prayer at 9:00 p.m., a moment unity for Polish Catholics.
• Overnight stay in Częstochowa.

Day 5

• Morning Mass at Jasna Góra Monastery, followed by departure for Warsaw.
• Upon arrival Visit the Church of Divine Mercy and the convent on Żytnia Street in Warsaw – the place where young Helena Kowalska (later Saint Faustina) asked to be admitted to the congregation. Pilgrims can see a small chapel, a memorial room, and learn about the early steps of her extraordinary spiritual journey.
• After lunch panoramic coach tour of Warsaw, including:
  • National Theatre
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • Piłsudski Square, where St. John Paul II proclaimed the famous words: “Let Your Spirit descend and renew the face of the earth – this earth.”
• In the afternoon, optional visit to one of two museums:
• Afternoon: visit one selected museum (choice of the following):
  • Warsaw Uprising Museum – A dynamic, multimedia journey through the heroic but tragic 1944 Warsaw Uprising against Nazi occupation. The museum offers immersive exhibits, authentic artifacts, and powerful personal testimonies that bring the story of the uprising to life.
  • Museum MT 5,14 -of St. John Paul II and Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński – Located inside the Temple of Divine Providence, this museum honors two great figures of the 20th-century Church.The exhibition follows their stories from 1901 (birth of Stefan Wyszyński) to 2005 (death of Pope John Paul II), set against the backdrop of the dramatic events of their times.It presents their profound influence on the history of the Church, Poland, and the world—particularly their role in preserving faith and cultural identity and in the peaceful overthrow of communism.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Warsaw.
• For those interested: optional sound and light show at the Multimedia Fountain Park (available Fridays and Saturdays until the end of September).

Day 6

• After breakfast, transfer to the Old Town.
• Holy Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Częstochowa – Mother of Life, served by the Pauline Fathers.
• Walking tour of Warsaw’s historic Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
  • Monument to the Warsaw Uprising
  • St. John the Baptist Cathedral: featuring a 17th-century altar with a statue of the Scourged Christ and the chapel of Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, the Primate of the Millennium
  • Royal Castle – the former residence of Polish monarchs, reconstructed with great care after WWII
  • Sigismund's Column – one of the oldest secular monuments in Warsaw, commemorating King Sigismund III Vasa
  • St. Anne’s Church – a beautiful Baroque church known for its ornate interior and panoramic views of the city from its tower
• Departure for Niepokalanów (approx. 1-hour drive).
• Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, home to the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration – the World Prayer Center for Peace, a place of grace and reported miracles.
• Tour the Museum of St. Maximilian Kolbe, which houses the only first-class relic of the Saint preserved after his death. Stop at the original chapel – now the Sanctuary of St. Maximilian – the oldest building in the monastery, where the Saint prayed, celebrated Mass, and gave spiritual talks.
• Next to the sacristy, see St. Maximilian’s first monastic cell, where he lived from the foundation of Niepokalanów in 1927.
• On the return journey to Warsaw enjoy a farewell dinner at “Oberża pod Złotym Prosiakiem” a traditional Polish inn offering regional cuisine in a rustic setting.

Day 7

• After a flight from Warsaw to Dubrovnik - Croatia (approx. 1.5–hours, depending on airline schedules), transfer by coach through the scenic countryside to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina (approx. 3 to 3.5-hour drive).
• Medjugorje is one of the most profound and mysterious Marian pilgrimage sites in the modern world. Since June 24, 1981, this small village has been experiencing continuous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Six young visionaries reported that the Mother of God, appearing as the "Queen of Peace," began speaking to them with messages urging prayer, fasting, and repentance.
• For over 40 years, this has been the longest ongoing series of reported Marian apparitions in the history of the Church.
• In Medjugorje, pilgrims take part in a rich daily spiritual program:
  • Daily Mass (in many languages)
  • Evening Rosary (with the presence of visionaries ) 
  • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  • Aration of the Cross
  • Confession – often described as the "confessional of the world"
  • Climbing Apparition Hill (Podbrdo) – where the Virgin Mary first appeared
  • Climbing Cross Mountain (Križevac) – with the Stations of the Cross
• Arrive in the evening, check in to our guesthouse or hotel, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
• After dinner the International Holy Mass, followed by healing prayers and Eucharistic Adoration (depending on the evening’s schedule).

Day 8

• Begin the day early with a climb to Apparition Hill (Podbrdo), the site of the first reported apparitions in 1981. This peaceful hike, often made in silence and prayer, leads us to the statue of Our Lady, where pilgrims from around the world stop to pray the Rosary. Along the way, we pause at the bronze reliefs of the Mysteries and reflect on Mary's messages of peace, conversion, and trust in God.
• After the descent, return for breakfast and then attend English-language Mass, held daily for international pilgrims.
• The late morning is reserved for personal prayer, rest, or reflection. Pilgrims are encouraged to spend quiet time in the Adoration Chapel, visit St. James Church, or go to Confession—a sacrament deeply emphasized in Medjugorje.
• Lunch is followed by a visit to the Cenacolo Community, founded by Sister Elvira Petrozzi. This powerful lay Catholic movement offers healing and purpose for young people recovering from addictions, hopelessness, or life crises. During our visit, some members of the community share their testimonies—stories of deep transformation through prayer, discipline, work, and the embrace of Christian values. Their joy and gratitude often leave a lasting impression on visitors.
• The afternoon is again open for personal time—pilgrims may choose to return to the Hill for private devotion, visit souvenir shops with religious articles, or find quiet in one of the many chapels and gardens around the sanctuary.
• In the evening, participate in the International Evening Program, which begins with Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by Holy Mass, healing prayers, and often Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or Veneration of the Cross, depending on the schedule.

Day 9

• Early morning departure for a more demanding yet spiritually enriching experience: a pilgrimage up Cross Mountain (Križevac). Along the rugged trail, the Stations of the Cross are meditated upon, each marked by powerful sculptures. At the summit, the monumental concrete cross, built by the villagers in 1934, stands as a symbol of hope and redemption.
• After the descent, a late breakfast is served, followed by a short catechesis or optional group sharing to deepen the spiritual experience.
• The day continues with a visit to the Church of St. Elijah in Tihaljina, where Holy Mass is celebrated in the presence of the beautiful statue of Our Lady with "living eyes"—a deeply moving site for pilgrims.
• Following the visit, the group departs for Mostar, a historic city famed for its blend of cultures and the iconic Old Bridge over the Neretva River.
• Participants will enjoy a guided walk through the old town and have time to explore, shop, or enjoy a coffee in one of the many charming cafes along the cobbled streets.
• At 3:00 PM, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed at the main sanctuary, in multiple languages, reflecting the universal message of Christ’s mercy.
• The late afternoon is reserved for rest, personal prayer, or spiritual direction. Conversations with local priests or Franciscan brothers may be arranged for those seeking deeper guidance or the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• The day concludes with a group act of thanksgiving and renewal of personal consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary—a cherished tradition in Medjugorje. Dinner is followed by the Rosary and Holy Mass with the international community, marking a profound close to the day’s spiritual journey.

Day 10 -11

• Early morning Holy Mass.
• Transfer from Medjugorje to Dubrovnik (approx. 2.5–3-hour drive).
• Upon arrival, lunch is served in the city.
• In the afternoon, guided walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Highlights include:
  • The historic City Walls, 
  • Onofrio's Fountain,
  • The Rector’s Palace, Sponza
  • Palace, the Franciscan Monastery with its ancient pharmacy, and the stunning Cathedral of the Assumption. Free time for exploring the charming limestone streets or enjoying seaside views.
• Dinner takes place at traditional countryside-style restaurant located on the slopes above the city. The menu features authentic Dalmatian dishes such as peka—meat and vegetables slow-cooked under a metal bell in hot embers—homemade bread, local cheeses, and wines. The rustic setting and panoramic view offer a peaceful and memorable conclusion to the pilgrimage.
• Overnight stay in Dubrovnik.
• Return flight to the USA on the following day