Budapest (2 nights) • Zakopane (1 night) • Krakow (3 nights) • Auschwitz • Wadowice • Czestochowa (2 nights) • Bagno • Prague (2 nights)
Be immediately awestruck by the beauty of Hungary’s capital Budapest as we commence our pilgrimage journey here in the city known as the ‘Paris of the East’. Join with fellow pilgrims this evening for a Welcome Dinner.
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube, the former twin cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges.
Budapest overnight (D)
Our pilgrimage day begins with a visit and Mass at the stunning Basilica of St Stephen which holds the mummified hand of St Stephen, the first King of Hungary. Continue on to view the decorative Parliament building, Heroes Square, the 118 foot high Corinthian column dedicated to the Roman Catholic Church, the 13th century Church of St Matthias and the Fisherman’s Bastion. Finish our tour with a panoramic view of the city from Gellert Hill.
Enjoy some free time this afternoon before embarking on an enchanting Dinner Cruise on the River Danube to see the city’s architecture gloriously illuminated.
Budapest overnight (BD)
Departing Budapest this morning, we journey north crossing into the Slovak Republic and then Poland, passing magnificent alpine landscape to the resort village of Zakopane. On arrival we will celebrate Mass and take time for prayer in the church of our Lady Queen of the World (Salvatorians).
Zakopane overnight (BD)
Today we embark on a cable car ride into the Tatras Mountains with its many walking trails once frequented by Fr Karol (Pope St John Paul II) and his companions. Also here atop Mt Kasprowy we enter the charming wooden Jaszczorowka Chapel so loved by Pope St John Paul II and where we will celebrate our spectacular Mass.
In the late afternoon we journey north to Krakow.
Krakow overnight (BD)
Today we commence our walking tour at the Wawel Cathedral where in the crypt below Fr Karol was ordained in 1946 and celebrated his first Mass.
Continue on to St Mary’s Church, University and Market Square to experience one of the most beautiful medieval city centres in Europe. Enter St. Florians Church, where the young Karol developed a flourishing underground youth ministry at great risk.
Our afternoon draws us to the inspired Shrine of Divine Mercy where, between 1931 – 1938 Our Lord appeared to Sr Faustina Kowalska (a Polish Sister of Mercy) entrusting with her the mission of spreading His message of merciful love for humanity. We will celebrate Mass at the shrine, and witness the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus before venerating the tomb of St Faustina.
Time permitting we will visit the nearby ‘Have No Fear’ John Paul II Shrine where we can encounter ‘the person of John Paul II, his thoughts, his spirit and his sanctity’ (Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz).
Travel out then for an enthralling tour of the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines, the oldest operational mines in Europe and dating back to the 13th century.
Krakow overnight (BD)
We travel out of Krakow this morning and journey west to visit the celebrated Marian site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, which remains the favourite boyhood shrine of Pope St John Paul II.
Continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (the now canonised Pope St John Paul II) where we enter his family house and even the grounds where he used to play Football! The central point of the town is the market square with its Parish Church, and the famous Baptismal basin where Karol was baptized. Next to the church, we find the saint’s birthplace and the nearby Museum encompassing the former home of the Wojtyla family.
In the afternoon we journey north and enter on a deeply moving encounter of Auschwitz where we mourn the millions of people who were put to death in this, the biggest concentration camp of Hitler’s Nazism. Pope St John Paul II has termed this place the Golgotha of the modern world. We pray in the martyrdom bunker of St Maximilian Kolbe and view his cell while reflecting upon his selfless courage. After the tour of Auschwitz, we will have Mass in one of the beautiful town Churches.
Return to Krakow in time for dinner.
Krakow overnight (BD)
We farewell Krakow this morning, journeying north by coach to Czestochowa where the fortress monastery of the Pauline Monks of Jasna Gora (meaning Bright Hill) is located.
En route we visit the basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, Trzebinia.
Czestochowa overnight (BD)
Czestochowa is home to the cherished miraculous icon of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, an object of veneration for centuries (also known as the Black Madonna). Attracting more than five million pilgrims every year, Our Lady of Czestochowa is recognized as one of the most visited places of Christian pilgrimage in the world. This morning we will celebrate a private Mass before the image here in the ancient chapel. Later we will tour the Basilica, Treasury, Museum and Knights Hall.
A little free time this afternoon. An optional later visit to Jura Krakowsko, part of the Polish Jurassic Rock Upland will be enjoyed as the fit and able take a walk up the hill to the ruins of the Gothic Castle of Olszyn.
Czestochowa overnight (BD)
Depart Czestochowa this morning and journey west through lush green countryside. We make a visit to the Shrine of St Hedwig in Trzebnica, where we will celebrate Mass and we then we will visit Salvatorian Seminary in Bagno.
We reboard our coach and continue west, crossing the border in to the Czech Republic. Finally arrive into the golden city of Prague famous for its Gothic and Baroque architecture and ranked as one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe.
Prague overnight (BD)
We commence our final day of pilgrimage with a walking tour of Prague. Visit St Vitus Cathedral, the city’s most distinctive landmark which houses the crown jewels and the tomb of ‘Good King’ Wenceslas. Continue on to the Hradcany area and the Prague Castle.
We celebrate Mass today at the Church of Our Lady Victorious where we come face to face with the Holy Infant of Prague. This wax figure has an impressive record of miracle cures and is one of the most revered images in the Catholic world.
Cross the historical Charles Bridge built in 1400 and continue on to the Old Town area including Wenceslas Square, Celetna Lane, Old Town Square (with its random network of streets dating back to the 13th century), the Town Hall with the astronomical clock and Tyn Cathedral.
We enjoy a special dinner this evening as a fitting final celebration of our pilgrimage together.
Prague overnight (BD)
Our pilgrimage ends after breakfast this morning. (B)
Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner
Dates
13 - 23 June 2023
Chaplain
Fr Richard Healey
Tour Cost
AUD $5590
Tour Code
PM2301
Single Room
AUD $1990 Supplement
Air & Tour
-
Start/Finish
Budapest/Prague
Prepaid Tips
$14 PPPD†
Dates
15 - 25 August 2023
Chaplain
Bishop Karol Kulczycki SDS
Tour Cost
AUD $5590
Tour Code
PM2302
Single Room
AUD $1990 Supplement
Air & Tour
-
Start/Finish
Budapest/Prague
Prepaid Tips
$14 PPPD†
Dates
11 - 21 June 2024
Chaplain
TBA
Tour Cost
AUD TBA
Tour Code
PM2401
Single Room
AUD TBA Supplement
Air & Tour
-
Start/Finish
Budapest/Prague
Prepaid Tips
$14 PPPD†
Dates
17 - 27 September 2024
Chaplain
TBA
Tour Cost
AUD TBA
Tour Code
PM2402
Single Room
AUD TBA Supplement
Air & Tour
-
Start/Finish
Budapest/Prague
Prepaid Tips
$14 PPPD†
* Costs are indicative and must remain subject to possible change in the event of significant exchange rate variations, tax & hotel changes or minimum group size factors beyond Harvest’s control. Refer to Harvest Terms & Conditions.
† Per Person, Per Day.
Fr Richard is a priest of the Diocese of Wollongong, currently at St John the Evangelist in Campbelltown. Ordained in 2006, Fr Richard has served in parishes across the Diocese, as well as in youth ministry and vocations. He is a keen bushwalker, Audible and podcast listener, drone flyer, map editor, bible geek, and builds websites and creates electronic liturgical resources. He is greatly looking forward to going on this pilgrimage of mercy.
Most Rev Karol Kulczycki is a member of the Salvatorian Fathers (Society of the Divine Saviour) and the Bishop of Port Pirie.
Bishop Karol was born on 19 October 1966 in Gora, Archdiocese of Wroclaw (Poland). He entered the Salvatorian novitiate in 1987 and made his religious profession on 8 September 1988. After studies of philosophy and theology at the Salvatorian Major Seminary in Bagno, Poland, he was ordained to the priesthood on 28 May 1994 in Trzebinia, Poland.
After ordination he was appointed as a member and then director of the Salvatorian Vocation Centre of the Polish Province. In 1997 he began his work in the Australian Region of the Polish province, serving in different parishes entrusted to the pastoral care of our religious institute, as well as a school chaplain. In 2009 he was elected as Regional Superior in Australia. In 2018 he was elected as Vicar Provincial of the Polish Province and returned to Poland, where he also ministered as a spiritual director of the Lay Salvatorians. He also served as a member of the International SDS Vocation Team and Communication Team. He was appointed by Pope Frances as Bishop of Port Pirie on 1 August 2020.
“My pilgrimage lifted me out of a spiritual slump. I now have so much more to do with my life.”
“This pilgrimage has strengthened my faith and desire to do more to serve others.”
Or Call us
AU: 1800 819 156
NZ: 0800 819 156
Please share your location to continue.
Check our help guide for more info.