May 13, Day 1, Wednesday:
DEPART FROM USA
We depart this evening on an overnight flight from either JFK or Orlando to Krakow. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Add-on flights are available from most major cities for an additional cost.
May 14, Day 2, Thursday:
ARRIVAL IN POLAND – KRAKOW
Welcome to Poland! We are greeted at the airport by our English-speaking guide and board the bus to our hotel. We have a few hours before we can check into our hotel, giving us time to stretch our legs after the flights and to explore the whimsical Market Square, located in the center of Krakow. Time to walk around, grab a sandwich, a cup of coffee, or our first beer of many to come, while we get a feel for the beautiful country of Poland. We celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Church and hear the silver trumpet call out every hour. Following the hotel check-in, we enjoy a dinner at the hotel and a well deserved night of rest. (D)
May 15, Day 3, Friday:
AUSCHWITZ – SALT MINES
This morning we visit Auschwitz, the Nazi Concentration Camp where St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) faced martyrdom and St. Maximilian Kolbe died in the Death Block from starvation after volunteering his life for that of a fellow prisoner. We see the Saints’cell and the Museum of Martyrdom. After this reflective morning, we travel to Wieliczka, to explore the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines, which have been in use for over 700 years and contain many fascinating statues, chapels, and reliefs, all carved from salt. Mass will be celebrated. Enjoy dinner at a local brewery where we taste beer made in Krakow accompanied by authentic Polish and Austro- Hungarian food. Overnight in Krakow. (B, Special dinner)
May 16, Day 4, Saturday:
THE MIRACULOUS BLACK MADONNA OF CZESTOCHOWA
Today our visit is to Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, with the miraculous Black Madonna icon, the Queen, and Protectress of Poland. We spend the day at the grandest pilgrimage shrine of Poland built in the 14th century! Saint John Paul II is said to have made frequent visits to this monastery throughout his life. Tradition tells us that this icon was painted by Luke the Evangelist, discovered by St. Helen, and later enshrined. While here, we have the opportunity to venerate not only the Holy Icon but also many other priceless treasures that are contained within the Pauline Monastery with its priceless Treasury Room. Following our prayerful visit to the Chapel of the Black Madonna, where we celebrate Mass, we return to Krakow for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
May 17, Day 5, Sunday:
DIVINE MERCY – LAGIEWNIKI – ST JOHN PAUL II CENTER
After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy and celebrate Mass. We see St. Faustina’s convent chapel and her tomb in Lagiewniki. We also see the newly constructed Basilica of Divine Mercy, dedicated by St. John Paul II on his last visit to Poland in 2002. Following lunch, on our own, we walk a short distance over to the new center “Have no Fear,” dedicated to Saint John Paul II, where we venerate his relics. Overnight in Krakow. (B, D)
May 18, Day 6, Monday:
FOOTSTEPS OF ST. JOHN PAUL II WADOWICE – A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Wadowice is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. We are blessed to be able to visit his childhood home on the very day we celebrate his 100th Birthday! We celebrate Mass at the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized and prayed as a child. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we return to Krakow for a visit to Jagiellonian University, which we tour and see where St. John Paul II studied. We view the small, modest apartment where Karol Wojtyla moved with his father in 1938, as a young man just entering the university. Two rooms (the kitchen and bedroom) are open for visitors and arranged as they were when the two men lived here. Along Kanonicza Street we see a reconstructed “Pope’s Room” and the famous “Pope’s window,” honoring Saint John Paul II. Time permitting visit Wawel Hill passing by the Royal Castle and visit the Cathedral and St. Stanislaus Shrine, which contains the relics, in a silver coffin, of Poland’s famous patron saint. Tonight, we have a birthday celebration at a local restaurant, along with a Polish folklore show. (B, L, Special dinner )
May 19, Day 7, Tuesday:
KRAKOW – ROME
This morning we depart for the airport and our flight to Rome. Upon arrival, we visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass, and the Abbey of Tre Fontane, where St. Paul was beheaded by order of Emperor Nero. Following is a panoramic tour of Rome where we see the ancient highlights before settling into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B)
May 20, Day 8, Wednesday:
PAPAL AUDIENCE – AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
We are at St. Peter’s Square early this morning to get our seats for the Papal Audience where we are greeted and Blessed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. Following time for shopping in Vatican Square, we enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Rome on our own. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B, L)
May 21, Day 9, Thursday:
VATICAN MUSEUM and BASILICAS OF ROME
We are at St. Peter’s Basilica early this morning to celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul. We then visit the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel, where we admire one of the highest masterpieces of art: the Genesis and the Last Judgement by Michelangelo, that were brought back to their original splendor after the latest restorations. Leaving the Sistine Chapel and going down the Royal Stairway, projected by Bernini, we walk over to Basilica of St. Peter, for a guided tour. This afternoon, we visit the oldest of the four major basilicas in Rome, and the home to the relics of Peter and Paul, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran. This Basilica is where Pope Francis was installed as Bishop of Rome. Next, we cross the street to visit the Holy Stairs. Tradition tells us these Holy Stairs are the very steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. The Stairs were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. We conclude our day, with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the church dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. St. Mary Major reigns as the only Basilica that has kept its original structure and is an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman Churches. This Basilica contains a relic from the Manger of the Infant Jesus. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B. Special dinner)
May 22, Day 11, Friday
RETURN TO USA
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. (B)
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