Day 1: Monday, October 3, 2005 - USA / WARSAW

Tour members are welcomed this evening at an inter­national airport for our departing flight to Warsaw via jumbo jet arriving the next day.

 

Day 2: Tuesday, WARSAW

Upon arrival in Warsaw we have an orientation tour of the city. We view in passing the Old Town and Lazienska Park. Dinner and overnight in Warsaw.

 

Day 3: Wednesday, WARSAW / NIEPOKALANOW / GLOGOWIEC / WARSAW

Today we board our motorcoach and drive to Niepokalanow, the City of the Immaculata. The City was founded in the late 1920’s by St Maximilian Kolbe. The community’s primary apostolate was to utilize the modern mass media to combat attacks against the Catholic Faith. During its peak, the community printed a daily Catholic newspaper and a monthly magazine, and operated a radio station, a mission house, and a thriving seminary. The growth of Niepokalanow, however, was interrupted by Nazi force, culminating in the arrest of Maximilian and 40 of his brothers. Today it is an active monastery and religious community. After visiting the Franciscan Minor Basilica and the other sites open to the public, we continue to Glogowiec, the birthplace of St. Faustina. It was here that Jesus appeared to her in 1931 and requested she paint the picture of His Divine Mercy. We return to Warsaw for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Thursday, WARSAW / CZESTOCHOWA

After an early breakfast we spend the morning in Warsaw. We visit the Old Town, Lazienska Park and the Chopin Monument, and the Warsaw Ghetto. The Old Town and the Warsaw Ghetto both bear witness to the devastation of World War II. The Old Town, which was almost completely destroyed during the War, was faithfully rebuilt according to the original architecture. The Ghetto, however, is a deafeningly void space. During several years of the War, Warsaw’s Jewish population was sentenced to live in this area of confinement and want. The people that survived the Nazi reaction to an uprising in 1943 were sent to the Treblinka concentration camp. We view the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and the remaining sections of the Ghetto’s walls.  We also visit St Stanislaw Kostka Church (the church of Blessed Fr Jerzy Popieluszko) and museum. Fr Jerzy Popieluszko, a popular young parish priest, spoke out against the abuses of communism and supported the then-banned Solidarity labor union. Thousands flocked to hear his Sunday sermons. He was abducted by the Polish secret police on October 19, 1984, and his savagely beaten body was found eleven days later in an icy reservoir. Father Popieluszko's death serves as testimony to the struggle for freedom, basic rights, and human dignity. This afternoon we depart Warsaw and travel to Czestochowa. Dinner and overnight in Czestochowa.

 

Day 5: Friday, CZESTOCHOWA / KRAKOW

This morning we celebrate Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the most important pilgrimage site in all of Poland.  It was here that St Faustina, St Maximilian Kolbe, and Pope John Paul II came to offer their lives to God in holy service. The painting enshrined here of Our Lady of Czestochowa (frequently called the Black Madonna) is said to have been painted by St Luke the Evangelist on a table built by St Joseph for use in the holy family’s house. Several times daily, the curtain covering the icon is drawn aside. Each time a trumpet begins to play, announcing that Our Lady has again been revealed to her faithful and loving children. The portrait has been the subject of numerous miracles and today remains one of Pope John Paul II’s favorite Marian devotions.  This afternoon we travel to the city of Krakow, the former Archdiocese of our Holy Father. In Krakow we check in at our hotel. Dinner and overnight.  

 

Day 6: Saturday, KRAKOW / DIVINE MERCY / AUSCHWITZ / KRAKOW

This morning we celebrate Holy Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy located in the convent church of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. On May 1, 1933 Helen Kowalski took her final vows there and was received as Sister Maria Faustina. For 13 years she offered her life in sacrifice for poor sinners. She suffered immensely from tuberculosis of the lungs and experienced great spiritual tribulations. At the same time, she was endowed with many extraordinary graces, such as the gift of concealed stigmata, bilocation, prophecy, reading of hearts, and mystical betrothal. She was chosen by Jesus to be the secretary of Divine Mercy and to propagate the devotion to His Divine Mercy throughout the world. After completing her mission, St Faustina died at the convent in Krakow on October 5, 1938. Today her holy relics rest upon the altar in the sanctuary, right under the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus. We have a guided tour of the grounds by a Divine Mercy sister and have time for shopping in the Sisters’ gift store. This afternoon we travel to Auschwitz Concentration Camp, where thousands of innocent people were imprisoned and murdered during World War II. On May 28, 1941 Fr Maximilian Kolbe was brought here as a prisoner. His arm was tattooed with the number 16670. Despite the atrocities taking place all around him, Fr Kolbe became well-known for his love and encouragement. Still dedicated to his priestly ministry, he celebrated Mass with the smuggled-in bread and wine. On August 14, 1941 Fr Maximilian Kolbe died in the starvation bunker. He had offered his life in exchange for Francis Gajowniczek, a Polish soldier and family man. In 1982, Pope John Paul II canonized Fr Maximilian Kolbe, and he is known as the “martyr of charity.” This afternoon we prayerfully visit the death cell of this saint as well as the museum, Birkenau Camp, and the Auschwitz Center of Information, which is run by the Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

 

Day 7: Sunday, KRAKOW / WIELICZKA / KRAKOW

This morning we visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy where we celebrate Mass.  Then, we will proceed to the Wieliczka Salt Mine with its complete underground church.  The Wieliczka Salt Mine is the only site across the globe that has continued its mining since the Middle Ages.  The progress of mining, from technology to development, is reflected in its 9 subterranean levels of excavation.  In the 19th century, Wieliczka was used by mine physicians for brine baths which were believed to treat a host of illnesses, including: some allergies, asthma and respiratory conditions.  The underground health clinic remains operational today.  Touring of this vast subterranean labyrinth of traverses and chambers has included such privileged guests as the 14th century royal court.  Today, guests of the salt mine visit such sites as the Chapel of the Blessed Kings, which was created more than a century ago.  The chapel walls are painted with scenes from the Bible.  Also along the tour route, we will visit the chapel of St. Anthony.  Created in the late 17th century, the Chapel of St. Anthony is the oldest surviving underground chapel.  As early as 1698, miners attended holy mass here.   After visiting the Salt Mine we will spend time seeing more of the sites for which Krakow is known. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

 

Day 8: Monday, KRAKOW

Today is free for personal sightseeing and prayer. We recommend that you spend time exploring the Old Town, taking in the historic architecture and uniquely European atmosphere. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Krakow.

 

Day 9: Tuesday, KRAKOW / WADOWICE / KRAKOW

Today we travel to Wadowice for Holy Mass and a tour of Pope John Paul II’s boyhood home and church. We also visit the new St Peter Church, which was built in honor of the Holy Father’s survival of an assassination attempt. This afternoon we return to Krakow, where we visit St Florian’s Church. This parish was Pope John Paul II’s second priestly assignment. We return to Krakow where the rest of the day is free for personal sightseeing and prayer. Dinner and overnight in Krakow.

 

Day 10: Wednesday, KRAKOW / PRAGUE

This morning we bid farewell to Krakow. Upon arrival in Prague, we have an orientation tour of the capital city, including the famous Charles Bridge, before checking into the hotel for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 11: Thursday, PRAGUE

This morning we celebrate Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in downtown Prague. Here we view the statue of the Infant of Prague. We also have an opportunity to visit the religious articles shop near the shrine. This non-profit extension of the Shrine’s mission funds the restoration of Catholic churches in the Czech Republic. >From there, we have a guided tour of Prague. We visit St Vitus Cathedral, the largest church in the country. The Cathedral is also home to the relics of St Wenceslas, the country’s first saint.  We also visit Wenceslas Square, the Basilica of St George, and the Prague Castle. This evening we have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 12: Friday, PRAGUE

Today is free for personal sightseeing and prayer.  We recommend a visit to the Old Town, the heart of Prague. This pedestrian friendly area is the perfect place to take in beautiful medieval architecture, relax at an outdoor café or visit sites such as St Nicholas Church and the Town Hall. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Prague.

 

Day 13: Saturday, October 15, 2005, PRAGUE / USA

Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home, taking with us memories and inspiration to last a lifetime.

 

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