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Catholic Shrine Pilgrimage
Poland
GOLDEN FRONTIER
Sponsored by Catholic Shrine Pilgrimage
4100 North Illinois Street
Swansea, Illinois 62226-1834
Phone 618-234-1445 www.goldenfrontier.org Fax 618-234-9861
PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND
OCTOBER 18 TO 26, 2018
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1, October 18th, 2019 (Thursday): Depart USA by International Trans-Atlantic flight
Day 2, October 19th, 2019 (Friday): Warsaw arrival
• Upon arrival at Warsaw International Airport you will be greeted by your professional English-speaking tour escort and board the coach.
• Celebrate Mass at St. James Church (subject to confirmation, time permitting). This church is where Helena Kowalska, future St. Faustina, prayed extensively upon entering Warsaw and sought advice from the Rev. James Dabrowski which resulted in the Saint entering the convent in the following months.
• Transfer to hotel
• Dinner at the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel in Warsaw (D) Attention: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details.
Day 3, October 20th, 2019 (Saturday): Warsaw
• Breakfast the hotel
• Start the day with a visit to the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy on Zytnia st., where St. Faustina first joined the order of nuns.
• Celebrate Mass at one of the chapels (subject to confirmation)
• Following the morning Mass group will enjoy a guided tour and explore the Old Town area, comprised of cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture that are symbols of successful reconstruction from Warsaw’s almost complete destruction during the World War II. Some of the sites will include the Market Square, the Barbican, the birthplace of Madame Curie, the former Royal, and the Warsaw Ghetto monument commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 during World War II (exterior views only).
• Lunch on your own
• Later in the afternoon, visit the Stanislaw Kostka Church and view a special exhibition about the life of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. Fr. Popieluszko as a local priest played an important role during the communist regime reign in Poland and was a stalwart pillar of traditional values in these trying times. He was ultimately killed for his convictions by the communists
in 1984. During one of his famous pilgrimages in 1987, St. John Paul II visited this shrine to
pray in front of Fr. Popieluszko's tomb.
• Dinner at the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel in Warsaw (B,D)
Day 4, October 21st, 2019 (Sunday): Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Swinice-Warckie – Czestochowa
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Board the coach and drive south
• Stop en route in Niepokalanow, to visit the local Franciscan Monastery. This community was
founded by the martyred saint, Maximilian Kolbe. Fr. Kolbe was arrested by the Nazis during
their occupation of Poland and later died in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, giving his
life for the life of another prisoner.
• Celebrate Mass in one of the Monastery’s Chapels (subject to confirmation).
• Following your visit continue the transfer towards the village of Swinice Warckie.
• In Swinice Warckie, visit the church of St. Casimir. This historically rich parish is the site of
baptism for the newly born Helena Kowalska (St. Faustina). Little Helena and her family
attended Sunday Mass and other services at this church.
• Continue to Czestochowa.
• Lunch on your own en route
• Upon arrival in Czestochowa check into the hotel
• Dinner at the hotel, Overnight at the hotel in Czestochowa (B, D)
Day 5, October 22nd, 2019 (Monday): Czestochowa – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Celebrate Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery (one of the chapels).
• After the mass visit the monastery (entrance fee included). This hill-top monastery is housing
the beloved icon of Black Madonna. Tradition tells that it was painted by Luke the Evangelist,
discovered by St. Helen during her famous pilgrimage, and later donated to the local
Dominican monks and enshrined. While here, you will have the opportunity to venerate not
only the Holy Icon, but also many other priceless treasures that are contained within.
Additionally, St. John Paul II is said to have made frequent visits to this monastery throughout
his life.
• Continue on to Wadowice
• Lunch on your own en route
• Visit Saint Pope John Paul II’s childhood home in Wadowice, which is now a museum
(entrance fee included) with many exhibits documenting his family life. See also the parish
church where future young Karol was baptized, confirmed, served as an altar boy and prayed
daily before its miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
• Next transfer to the nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, home to Bernardine Abbey and one of
Europe′s oldest Ways of the Cross, called by some - Polish Jerusalem. The whole sanctuary
is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage (visit with Tour Escort only).
• Continue onto Krakow to check in at the hotel.
• Dinner at the hotel, Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 6, October 23rd, 2019 (Tuesday): Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Afterwards take a guided tour of Krakow. First make your way to the Wawel Hill, the former
seat of power of medieval Polish monarchs. Visit the beautiful Wawel Cathedral (entrance
fee included), and Coronation Chapel. Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) gave his first Mass
here and later served at this Shrine as the Archbishop of Krakow. Also, at this site, you will
have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of the patron saint of Poland, St. Stanislaus.
• Later continue towards the Market Square the largest and one of the most picturesque town
squares in Europe. It has remained almost unchanged for the last 700 years and many of its
buildings hold important historical value such as, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and
Burgher’s houses. Visit here the St. Mary′s Basilica (entrance fee included), where we can see
an extraordinary medieval artifact, the Europe′s largest wooden altar.
• Celebrate Mass at the St. Mary′s Basilica (subject to confirmation)
• Lunch on your own
• After lunch depart for Oswiecim
• (Optional Afternoon Excursion) Drive to Auschwitz (entrance fee included; subject upon
availability), notoriously known as a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War.
Upon arriving at the former camp, you can feel the darkness and sorrow that overtakes the
atmosphere as there were numerous unspeakable atrocities that occurred at this site.
Additionally, while on this visit, you will have the opportunity to view the cell that imprisoned
the Christ-like, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and visit the Martyrdom Museum
At tent ion:
• Visit to Auschwitz is subject to confirmation upon the availability, therefore, the
schedule of sightseeing might change. Please note that visit might be confirmed even
as early as 8:00am.
• Return to Krakow
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 7, October 24th, 2019 (Wednesday): Krakow – Zakopane – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Today take a full-day excursion to Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and landscapes,
Zakopane and its vicinity are something of a mountain folklore reserve, with many pearls of
typical wooden architecture persevered in good condition.
• Upon arrival, visit the local Jaszczorowka Chapel, architecturally distinct chapel visited many
times by the young Karol Wojtyla, as he often used the walking paths surrounding the
Jaszczorowka Chapel for prayer and reflection.
• Celebrate Mass at the Chapel (subject to confirmation)
• Afterwards you will have an opportunity to enjoy a short walk on one of Pope John Paul II's
favorite walking trails in Zakopane as he came here often for hiking. Make your way to the
Sanctuary of the Holy Virgin of Fatima, a chapel constructed in 1999 in gratitude for Pope
John Paul II′s survival of an assassination attempt (tour by Tour Escort).
• Lunch on your own
• Continue the tour with a funicular ride to the heights of Mt. Gubalowka (included, weather
permitting) for a stunning view of the Tatra Mountains and the town itself. Giving you the
chance to sense the love of nature that Pope John Paul II enjoyed here, and his passion for
partaking in scenic hikes through the mountains.
• After the descend drive enjoy some free time at leisure for shopping of local specialties in
the markets of Krupowki street.
• Return to Krakow. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 8, October 25th, 2019 (Thursday): Krakow – Divine Mercy – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Today morning drive to Lagiewniki Sanctuary, the capital of the Divine Mercy.
• Through the mediation of St. Faustina, Christ passed on the message of Divine Mercy at
Lagiewniki. While here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy that
contains images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, as well as, the Saint's convent
chapel and her Tomb.
• Celebrate Mass at one of the chapels (subject to confirmation)
• After Mass, visit the new center "Have no Fear" where you can see the relic of St. John Paul
II. You will have here time to pray and reflect.
• Afterwards time for lunch on your own
• Return to Krakow and enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take on the optional activity
• Enjoy the farewell dinner at a local restaurant with a folklore show
• Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 9 October 26th, 2019 (Saturday): Krakow departure
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Transfer to the Krakow International Airport for return flights home. (B)
At tent ion: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details.
Sponsored by Catholic Shrine Pilgrimage
4100 North Illinois Street
Swansea, Illinois 62226-1834
Phone 618-234-1445 www.goldenfrontier.org Fax 618-234-9861
PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND
OCTOBER 18 TO 26, 2018
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1, October 18th, 2019 (Thursday): Depart USA by International Trans-Atlantic flight
Day 2, October 19th, 2019 (Friday): Warsaw arrival
• Upon arrival at Warsaw International Airport you will be greeted by your professional English-speaking tour escort and board the coach.
• Celebrate Mass at St. James Church (subject to confirmation, time permitting). This church is where Helena Kowalska, future St. Faustina, prayed extensively upon entering Warsaw and sought advice from the Rev. James Dabrowski which resulted in the Saint entering the convent in the following months.
• Transfer to hotel
• Dinner at the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel in Warsaw (D) Attention: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details.
Day 3, October 20th, 2019 (Saturday): Warsaw
• Breakfast the hotel
• Start the day with a visit to the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy on Zytnia st., where St. Faustina first joined the order of nuns.
• Celebrate Mass at one of the chapels (subject to confirmation)
• Following the morning Mass group will enjoy a guided tour and explore the Old Town area, comprised of cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture that are symbols of successful reconstruction from Warsaw’s almost complete destruction during the World War II. Some of the sites will include the Market Square, the Barbican, the birthplace of Madame Curie, the former Royal, and the Warsaw Ghetto monument commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 during World War II (exterior views only).
• Lunch on your own
• Later in the afternoon, visit the Stanislaw Kostka Church and view a special exhibition about the life of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. Fr. Popieluszko as a local priest played an important role during the communist regime reign in Poland and was a stalwart pillar of traditional values in these trying times. He was ultimately killed for his convictions by the communists
in 1984. During one of his famous pilgrimages in 1987, St. John Paul II visited this shrine to
pray in front of Fr. Popieluszko's tomb.
• Dinner at the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel in Warsaw (B,D)
Day 4, October 21st, 2019 (Sunday): Warsaw – Niepokalanow – Swinice-Warckie – Czestochowa
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Board the coach and drive south
• Stop en route in Niepokalanow, to visit the local Franciscan Monastery. This community was
founded by the martyred saint, Maximilian Kolbe. Fr. Kolbe was arrested by the Nazis during
their occupation of Poland and later died in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, giving his
life for the life of another prisoner.
• Celebrate Mass in one of the Monastery’s Chapels (subject to confirmation).
• Following your visit continue the transfer towards the village of Swinice Warckie.
• In Swinice Warckie, visit the church of St. Casimir. This historically rich parish is the site of
baptism for the newly born Helena Kowalska (St. Faustina). Little Helena and her family
attended Sunday Mass and other services at this church.
• Continue to Czestochowa.
• Lunch on your own en route
• Upon arrival in Czestochowa check into the hotel
• Dinner at the hotel, Overnight at the hotel in Czestochowa (B, D)
Day 5, October 22nd, 2019 (Monday): Czestochowa – Wadowice – Kalwaria Zebrzydowska – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Celebrate Mass at Jasna Gora Monastery (one of the chapels).
• After the mass visit the monastery (entrance fee included). This hill-top monastery is housing
the beloved icon of Black Madonna. Tradition tells that it was painted by Luke the Evangelist,
discovered by St. Helen during her famous pilgrimage, and later donated to the local
Dominican monks and enshrined. While here, you will have the opportunity to venerate not
only the Holy Icon, but also many other priceless treasures that are contained within.
Additionally, St. John Paul II is said to have made frequent visits to this monastery throughout
his life.
• Continue on to Wadowice
• Lunch on your own en route
• Visit Saint Pope John Paul II’s childhood home in Wadowice, which is now a museum
(entrance fee included) with many exhibits documenting his family life. See also the parish
church where future young Karol was baptized, confirmed, served as an altar boy and prayed
daily before its miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
• Next transfer to the nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, home to Bernardine Abbey and one of
Europe′s oldest Ways of the Cross, called by some - Polish Jerusalem. The whole sanctuary
is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage (visit with Tour Escort only).
• Continue onto Krakow to check in at the hotel.
• Dinner at the hotel, Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 6, October 23rd, 2019 (Tuesday): Krakow – Auschwitz – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Afterwards take a guided tour of Krakow. First make your way to the Wawel Hill, the former
seat of power of medieval Polish monarchs. Visit the beautiful Wawel Cathedral (entrance
fee included), and Coronation Chapel. Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) gave his first Mass
here and later served at this Shrine as the Archbishop of Krakow. Also, at this site, you will
have the opportunity to pray at the tomb of the patron saint of Poland, St. Stanislaus.
• Later continue towards the Market Square the largest and one of the most picturesque town
squares in Europe. It has remained almost unchanged for the last 700 years and many of its
buildings hold important historical value such as, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall and
Burgher’s houses. Visit here the St. Mary′s Basilica (entrance fee included), where we can see
an extraordinary medieval artifact, the Europe′s largest wooden altar.
• Celebrate Mass at the St. Mary′s Basilica (subject to confirmation)
• Lunch on your own
• After lunch depart for Oswiecim
• (Optional Afternoon Excursion) Drive to Auschwitz (entrance fee included; subject upon
availability), notoriously known as a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War.
Upon arriving at the former camp, you can feel the darkness and sorrow that overtakes the
atmosphere as there were numerous unspeakable atrocities that occurred at this site.
Additionally, while on this visit, you will have the opportunity to view the cell that imprisoned
the Christ-like, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and visit the Martyrdom Museum
At tent ion:
• Visit to Auschwitz is subject to confirmation upon the availability, therefore, the
schedule of sightseeing might change. Please note that visit might be confirmed even
as early as 8:00am.
• Return to Krakow
• Dinner at the hotel.
• Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 7, October 24th, 2019 (Wednesday): Krakow – Zakopane – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Today take a full-day excursion to Zakopane, famous for its wooden houses and landscapes,
Zakopane and its vicinity are something of a mountain folklore reserve, with many pearls of
typical wooden architecture persevered in good condition.
• Upon arrival, visit the local Jaszczorowka Chapel, architecturally distinct chapel visited many
times by the young Karol Wojtyla, as he often used the walking paths surrounding the
Jaszczorowka Chapel for prayer and reflection.
• Celebrate Mass at the Chapel (subject to confirmation)
• Afterwards you will have an opportunity to enjoy a short walk on one of Pope John Paul II's
favorite walking trails in Zakopane as he came here often for hiking. Make your way to the
Sanctuary of the Holy Virgin of Fatima, a chapel constructed in 1999 in gratitude for Pope
John Paul II′s survival of an assassination attempt (tour by Tour Escort).
• Lunch on your own
• Continue the tour with a funicular ride to the heights of Mt. Gubalowka (included, weather
permitting) for a stunning view of the Tatra Mountains and the town itself. Giving you the
chance to sense the love of nature that Pope John Paul II enjoyed here, and his passion for
partaking in scenic hikes through the mountains.
• After the descend drive enjoy some free time at leisure for shopping of local specialties in
the markets of Krupowki street.
• Return to Krakow. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 8, October 25th, 2019 (Thursday): Krakow – Divine Mercy – Krakow
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Today morning drive to Lagiewniki Sanctuary, the capital of the Divine Mercy.
• Through the mediation of St. Faustina, Christ passed on the message of Divine Mercy at
Lagiewniki. While here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy that
contains images of the Merciful Jesus, relics of St. Faustina, as well as, the Saint's convent
chapel and her Tomb.
• Celebrate Mass at one of the chapels (subject to confirmation)
• After Mass, visit the new center "Have no Fear" where you can see the relic of St. John Paul
II. You will have here time to pray and reflect.
• Afterwards time for lunch on your own
• Return to Krakow and enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take on the optional activity
• Enjoy the farewell dinner at a local restaurant with a folklore show
• Overnight at the hotel in Krakow (B, D)
Day 9 October 26th, 2019 (Saturday): Krakow departure
• Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
• Transfer to the Krakow International Airport for return flights home. (B)
At tent ion: Schedule on this day is subject to change depending on flight details.