Pilgrimage to Poland

Pilgrimage to Poland in the Footsteps of JPII with Immaculée Ilibagiza
September 1-10, 2020

10 Days | 8 Nights

DAY 1: SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • DEPART USA

Depart the USA on independently scheduled overnight flights to Warsaw, Poland (reference the “Purchasing Airfare” section via the above link for group transfer times).

DAY 2: SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ARRIVE WARSAW – (D)

Arrive in Warsaw by 11 AM to meet your local, Polish tour manager and participate in a 12 PM group transfer to the heart of Warsaw. Celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Stanislaw Kostka, where the tomb of Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, chaplain and martyr of the Solidarity Movement. Next, visit the reconstructed Warsaw Old Town, featuring colorful houses, art galleries and quaint restaurants. Enjoy a festive welcome dinner at a special restaurant in the Old City. Overnight Warsaw.

DAY 3: SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • NIEPOKOLANOW | WARSAW – (CB)

This morning, visit Niepokolanow - the Immaculata City - built by Fr. Maximilian Kolbe. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Fr. Maximilian Kolbe. Return to Warsaw and visit the church of St. Andrzej Bobola, often considered the Martyr of Poland. After lunch on your own, take a city sightseeing tour of Warsaw, beginning at St. John’s Cathedral, where Servant of God, Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, is buried. Continue to the Gothic St. Anne Church where St. John Paul II met with young people during his first pilgrimage to Poland and Piłsudski Square, called Victory Square, to see the specially designed cross that stands in the place where he celebrated Holy Mass in 1979. Dinner on your own and overnight in Warsaw.

DAY 4: SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • WARSAW | CZESTOCHOWA | KRAKOW – (CB|D)

Depart Warsaw for Czestochowa, the center of Poland’s religious life and home of the famous icon of the Black Madonna. Attend the unveiling of the Icon of the Black Madonna, and celebrate Mass at the shrine, followed by a guided tour. Lunch on your own. Continue to Krakow for dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 5: SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • KRAKOW –(CB)

This morning, celebrate Mass at Wawel Cathedral where Karol Wojtyla was ordained a priest and celebrated his first Mass. After Mass, tour the cathedral and Wawel Hill. Walk along Kanonicza street where St. John Paul II resided as priest and bishop. In Krakow Market Square, attend the opening of the Wit Stwosz altar at St Mary’s “Mariacki” Church. Lunch on your own. Visit the “Have No Fear,” Center dedicated to St. John Paul II and take time to pray by the relics of this great saint. Next, travel to see the tomb of St. Faustina Kowalska, and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Tour the convent and the Basilica of the Divine Mercy which was consecrated by St. John Paul II during his last trip to Poland. Return to Krakow for dinner on your own and overnight.

DAY 6: SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • WADOWICE | KRAKOW – (CB|L)

Today visit Wadowice, the birthplace and hometown of St. John Paul II. See his home, now a museum. Celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and see the baptismal font where he was baptized. Enjoy a delicious local group lunch and John Paul’s favorite dessert. Return to Krakow and visit “Na Skalkach Church” – a sanctuary commemorating the martyrdom of St Stanislaw. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner on own and overnight in Krakow.

DAY 7: SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ZAKOPANE – (CB|L)

Depart for the scenic hills of Zakopane. 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. Take the gondolas to Mt. Gubalowka for a bird’s eye view over the city and hillsides of Zakopane. Tour of the city followed by a “highlander’s lunch” at a traditional mountaineer restaurant. This afternoon there will be time for strolling and shopping on Krupowki Street. Return to Krakow for dinner on your own and overnight.

DAY 8: SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • AUSCHWITZ | KALWARIA – (CB)

Depart for Auschwitz this morning for a tour of the most infamous concentration camp. Celebrate Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe Shrine. Lunch on own, then continue on to Kalwaria – the Polish Jerusalem. The shrine is dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the miraculous Icon of the Virgin Mary. Time for prayer at the shrine. Dinner on own and overnight in Krakow.

DAY 9: SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • SALT MINE | TYNIEC ABBEY – (CB|D)

Depart for Wieliczka for a guided tour of the world-famous salt mine, known for its beautiful and unique underground constructions made of salt, including Biblical icons and a statue of Pope John Paul II carved from salt. Lunch on own, then visit Tyniec Benedictine Abbey, founded in the 11th century, where St. John Paul II often conducted retreats before his consecration as bishop. Farewell dinner tonight at the famous fourteenth century restaurant, “Wierzynek,” where kings and presidents have dined. Overnight in Krakow.

DAY 10: SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • RETURN TO USA

Following a spiritually moving journey to the homeland of Pope St. John Paul II (reference the “Purchasing Airfare” section via the above link).

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CB= CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST | L= LUNCH | D= DINNER

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change; specified Masses pending confirmation