Itinerary:

Monday, May 26 | Departure from PHX to Warsaw, Poland.

Check-in for your flight to Warsaw and start your journey! Meals are served aboard your transatlantic flight. 

Tuesday, May 27 | Arrival in Warsaw Poland

Upon arrival today in Poland’s capital city, Warsaw, you will be met by your Escort who will be with you throughout the entire trip. Depending on our flight’s arrival, we’ll make a brief city tour of Poland’s political capitol- Warsaw. Break for lunch and begin a few hours drive south and west to Częstochowa, the most famous pilgrimage center of Poland, Jasna Góra Monastery. Arrive in Częstochowa for dinner and overnight. In Poland, and throughout the world where Poles are gathered, there is a tradition of pausing at 9:00 p.m. each day to declare one’s love of the Virgin Mary, specifically under her title of Our Lady, Queen of Poland. It is called in English, “the Call of Jasna Gora,” or in Polish, “Apel Jasnogórski.” On arrival, enjoy our first Polish meal together and those that have the energy are invited tonight, at 9pm to join hundreds of faithful at the nightly Apel Jasnogórski in the shrine before the image of Our Lady, the Black Madonna. (B,D)

Wednesday, May 28 | Częstochowa – Kraków

After breakfast this morning we pack our bags and load the bus, but head out for a morning together at the shrine. 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 the 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. We will have Holy Mass here with hundreds of other pilgrims. In the late afternoon we travel to Krakow for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Thursday, May 29 | Kraków – Saints, Dragons, Castles, Cathedrals

This morning we enjoy 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, Wit Stwosz’s acclaimed altar masterpiece at St. Mary’s Basilica, and Wawel Castle and Cathedral – all remarkable symbols of Poland’s historic identity. Young Karol Wojtyla was secretly ordained a priest in Krakow’s Archbishop’s palace and celebrated his first Holy Mass of Thanksgiving at the crypt of St. Leonard in the Wawel Castle Cathedral among tombs of Saints and royalty. We will celebrate Holy Mass at the Wawel Cathedral if available, otherwise at St. Mary’s Basilica. The remainder of the day is free in Krakow. Overnight in Krakow (B)

Friday, May 30  | Kraków – Shrine of Divine Mercy – St. John Paul II Center

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 night-life. Overnight in Krakow (B, D)

Saturday, May 31 | Kraków – Auschwitz – Kraków

Today we venture out to the little village of Oświęcim, known better as the town where the German Nazi’s built Auschwitz, the death camp where millions of Poles, Jews, Christians 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 return to Krakow where you will have time to dine on your own and reflect on this emotional day. Overnight in Krakow.(B)

Sunday, June 1 | Free day – Optional Local experience

Today we have a special treat for our pilgrims. This morning, join a local parish for Holy Mass with the locals. Afterwards, break into groups and meet local students and families for a day out with locals. Meet students, families, and others to see what life in Poland is like. Led by locals, find something interesting off the beaten path. Learn some Polish! Details to come in Spring ‘25. (B)

Monday, June 2 | Kraków – Wieliczka Salt Mine

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. (B, D)

Tuesday, June 3 | Kraków – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Wadowice – Zakopane

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. On the way, stop into 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. After lunch, head to Zakopane for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Wednesday, June 4 | Zakopane

Today is our last full day together, and we’ve got a special treat! After breakfast, we head to the foot of the Tatra Mountains where we meet traditional horse and buggies for a ride through the mountains to Morskie Oko- ‘The Eye of the Sea’. Spend some time taking in the crisp clean mountain air at the deep mountain lake before returning to town to spend the rest of your day taking in the mountains, relaxing, shopping, and visiting. Today is a great day 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. Visit the nearby 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. Tonight, we gather as a group one final time for a special Polish farewell dinner with music and dancing. (B, FWD)

Thursday, June 05 | Zakopane – Kraków – USA

Early this morning we depart Zakopane for Krakow to catch our return flight(s) to the USA. (B)

“The future of Poland depends on you and must depend on you!” – said John Paul II to young people during his pilgrimage to Poland in 1987. These words were seen as an expression of solidarity with the society suppressed by the communist authorities. However, they were much more than that – a timeless call to take responsibility for one another.