1-480-626-1266 info@johnpaultours.com

Special Pilgrimage to Poland Celebrating the centenary of the birth of St. John Paul II

Oct. 19 - 29, 2020
Register Online Here

We are so excited to announce this Pilgrimage to Poland!
Group size is limited to 24 people and we expect it to fill quickly.
Sign up soon!

Package Inclusions:

  • (Land + Air Package) Round Trip Group Air Transportation from Boston.
    Other departures available, please inquire. Land-Only available
  • Comprehensive Sightseeing as per itinerary in a Private Deluxe Motor coach while overseas, with Guide/Escort
  • Superior Tourist hotel accommodations double occupancy with bath or shower (single supplement +$500)
  • Daily Mass
  • Breakfast in hotel, dinners at hotels and at local restaurants. As indicated (B, D)
  • Hotel service charges and tax (at current rate)
  • US airport taxes, fuel surcharges included** (subject to change in the rare occasion that gov’t/airline fees and fuel costs increase drastically)

NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE: Gratuities ($120 USD cash per person is collected on Day 2 to cover guide, hotel, driver, restaurant tips), Passport fees, meals not indicated in itinerary, items of a personal nature, optional tours, items not mentioned in itinerary, etc. See Terms

Registration and Full Payments Due: July 6, 2020
Tour ID: 20-10.19 PL Fr. Pierz

Cost per person:
$3,795.00 in double occupancy room w/ group air from Boston (other cities available, please inquire)
$2,885.00 in double occupancy room, Land Only

Local Contact: Fr. Michael Pierz 1-413-786-8105

js_loader

Fr. Pierz was ordained to the Priesthood on June 1, 2013 at St. Michael’s Cathedral by Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell.  He celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving the following day at his childhood parish, St. Mary, Mother of the Church, in Lee, MA.  Eight months prior, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate in St. Peter’s Basilica with 32 classmates from the North American College in Rome.  It was there, at the Pontifical Gregorian University, that Fr. Pierz studied Theology and Canon Law. Before then, he spent two years at St. John’s Seminary in Boston. Studied in 8 languages, having lived in Rome for 6 years, and travelled the world many times over, Fr. Pierz leads some of the most exciting pilgrimages filled with passion for faith, history, culture, and fun!

Rev. Michael Pierz

Itinerary

OCT. 19 | Day 1 | USA – Kraków
Depart from USA to Kraków. Meals will be served aboard your transatlantic flight.

OCT. 20 | Day 2 | Kraków 
Upon arrival today in Kraków, you will be met by your Escort who will be with you throughout the entire trip. Depending on the time of arrival, today’s activities will include a city tour of Kraków, Poland’s capital from 1038 to 1569 and residence of kings. With its charming blend of magnificent architecture, churches, cultural monuments, museums, and vibrant contemporary community, Kraków was designated by the European Union as the “Capital of Culture” in the year 2000. Tour highlights include the Old Town, Cloth Hall, and Wit Stwosz’s acclaimed altar masterpiece at St. Mary’s Basilica – all remarkable symbols of Poland’s historic identity. Enjoy our first Polish supper together. This evening check-in to our centrally located hotel for overnight to rest after a long journey. (Note: activities today depend on the actual flight arrival time. Some activities may be moved to following day.) (B, D)

OCT. 21 | Day 3 | Kraków – Łagiewniki Shrine of Divine Mercy – St. John Paul II Center – Kraków
This morning we will visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki; dedicated by Pope Saint John Paul II. We will have the opportunity to visit the convent chapel and pray at the Tomb of St. Faustina Kowalska. Interesting Fact: Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and showed her His Divine Mercy. Thanks to St. Faustina we have the beautiful Divine Mercy image and we celebrate the Feast of Mercy the first Sunday after Easter. We will spend time walking around the facilities, hearing a talk from the Sisters of Mercy and celebrating Holy Mass. On the same campus as the Divine Mercy Shrine, visit the newly constructed and dedicated St. John Paul II Institute. This enormous Church Museum is the world’s main shrine to the Saint, built as a complex to honor his life and ministry to the faithful. This afternoon return to Krakow for an evening at your leisure. Some may wish to explore the old city, Kazimierz- the Jewish quarter, stroll some of the many beautiful parks, or take in the vibrant modern nightlife. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Krakow. (B)

OCT. 22 | Day 4 | Kraków – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Wadowice – Kraków  Celebrating the Feast of St. John Paul II
After a restful night and filling breakfast we head out to Wadowice, the nearby hometown of Saint John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyła. Today’s events here will include a tour of the local area, the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- the parish church where the Saint received the Sacraments, and time for his favorite treat- kremówki. If we are able according to the museum schedule, visit a museum dedicated to the Saint built within the home he lived in as a child. Afterwards, spend time at the monastery of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska where Pope John Paul II repeated the words of his motto: “Totus tuus ego sum et omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio te in mea omnia. Praebe mihi cor tuum, Maria – I belong entirely to you, and all that I have is yours. I take you for my all. O Mary, give me your heart” He would come here as a boy, and see the painting of Our Lady said to have wept blood in 1641. Mass here and this afternoon return to Kraków. Depending on time, stop at the Rakowicki Cemetery to offer a prayer at the tomb of John Paul II’s parents on the way to the Lord’s Ark church in Nowa Huta. Between 1967 and 1977, this church is the first built in the area, pieced together brick by brick by local volunteers with no help from the communist authorities. The first cornerstone was laid by Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. Today’s activities may be adjusted depending on possible special events commemorating the feast of St. John Paul II. Overnight in Krakow. (B, D)

OCT. 23 | Day 5 | Kraków – Wieliczka Salt Mine – Kraków
A morning excursion will take you to the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine; three spectacular underground miles of hand–carved chapels, statues, and chambers made of pure salt (including an incredible statue of Pope St. John Paul II carved by the local miners). Over 1 million tourists visit this historic royal mine each year. We will celebrate Holy Mass in one of the beautiful salt chapels in the mine. This afternoon we return to Krakow for free time to shop and explore, and dinner on your own. (B)

OCT. 24 | Day 6 | Kraków – Auschwitz – Zakopane
Today we check-out of our hotel in Kraków and make our way to the nearby village of Oświęcim, known better as the town where German Nazi’s built Auschwitz, the death camp where millions of Poles, Christians, Jews and others lost their lives. A Private Guide will show us several gut wrenching sites, including the starvation cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe was martyred. This is an important lesson on recent history and Kolbe’s saintly martyrdom. Holy Mass will be celebrated at the nearby Center for Dialogue and Prayer, founded for those affected by the horrors of the German Nazi Extermination Camp- Auschwitz-Birkenau. This evening we continue to Zakopane for dinner and overnight after a tremendously emotional day. (B, D)

OCT. 25 | Day 7 | Zakopane
Time to explore Zakopane, a resort town in the scenic Tatra Mountains! We have a full day in Zakopane where Pope Saint John Paul II would recreate as a young priest and on until Pope. When he was a cardinal, someone mentioned it might be inappropriate for a man of his position to ski. He replied that it was only “unbecoming for a cardinal to ski badly.” Zakopane is the center of age-old Highlander culture. Going through town, you will see all sorts of people; holidaymakers, hikers and colorful market vendors enjoying the pure mountain air and magnificent vistas. Need a break? A cable car can whisk you away to Mount Gubałówka for a splendid view of the valley below. We will have Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Zakopane which was built by locals in thanksgiving for Pope John Paul II’s recovery after Ali Agca’s assassination attempt on the Pope’s life. Dinner on your own, overnight in Zakopane. (B, D)

OCT. 26 | Day 7 | Zakopane – Częstochowa
Today we depart to Częstochowa, the most famous pilgrimage center of Poland, Jasna Góra Monastery. This is Poland’s national shrine and home of the Black Madonna, a sacred icon that is historically linked to protecting the Polish people. Said to have been painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a cypress wood panel from a table used by the Holy Family in Nazareth, the image of Our Lady attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world. Our guide and local Pauline monks will tell us about the violent history the icon has been through starting in 326 AD in Jerusalem, to 1430 when an invading soldier attempted to steal the painting, striking it twice with his sword. More recently during Russian occupation, they attempted to thwart any pilgrimage to the Shrine, unsuccessfully. The day before his death, Pope John Paul II sent a letter to the religious of the Shrine of Jasna Gora, in Częstochowa. “I entrust our Homeland, the whole Church and myself to her maternal protection,” said the Pope in his letter, addressed to Father Izydor Matuszewski, prior general of the monks of St. Paul the Hermit, of the monastery of Jasna Góra. Dinner together and overnight in Częstochowa. (B, D)

OCT. 27 | Day 8 | Częstochowa – Warsaw
This morning we check-out of our hotel in Częstochowa and drive north to Warsaw, the political capital of Poland. Upon arrival, celebrate Holy Mass in Żoliborz at the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka and Shrine of Bl. Jerzy Popiełuszko- priest and martyr whose powerful sermons encouraged the Polish people to stand for justice and freedom during the Solidarity movement of the 1980’s. He was brutally murdered by communist secret police in 1984. Here we will visit the museum of the martyr and pray at his tomb as through the intercession of the Saints and Blessed persons many healings have taken place. In 1987 Pope John Paul II prayed here at Popiełuszko’s tomb. Continue our exciting day in Warsaw by visiting the Old Town with a stroll by the Royal Castle. After lunch, enjoy the park by the Palace on the Water (Łazienki Park), and visit the Temple of Divine Providence (Polish: Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej), in southern Warsaw’s Wilanów district, one of the most important Roman Catholic buildings in Poland. Dinner together and overnight in Warsaw. (B)

OCT. 28 | Day 9 | Warsaw – Niepokalanów – Warsaw
Today we venture into Warsaw including the Warsaw Ghetto and Umschlagplatz; Żelazowa Wola, the Old Town Quarter, Old Market Square, the Barbican and medieval defensive walls. We also pass by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy- the first ‘Mercy House’ founded by Mother Teresa Eva Potocka in Warsaw, Poland on November 1, 1862. This afternoon depart to nearby Niepokalanów- The City of the Immaculata founded by St. Maksymilian Kolbe, The Shrine of Our Mary Immaculate and St. Maximilian Kolbe. Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984, Maximilian Kolbe dedicated his life to bringing souls to God through Mary and is known by many titles: Martyr of Charity, The Saint of Auschwitz, Founder of the Militia Immaculata, Apostle of Mary, Patron Saint of the 20th Century. This evening return to Warsaw to enjoy our final meal together with a special farewell dinner. Overnight in Warsaw. (B, D)

OCT. 29 | Day 10 | Warsaw – USA
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA. (B)

During most of our pilgrimages one can expect to walk several miles daily. For this reason we suggest you prepare yourself by walking regularly at least four weeks prior to your trip. Generally you will walk a bit, then break or visit, celebrate Mass, tour, etc. and continue. Expect each day to have at least a combined two or three hours walking. We want you to have an incredible and memorable time, but not memorable in the sense of a difficult experience. Get ready physically as well as spiritually for a real Catholic Pilgrimage!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This