PRE-TOUR TO POLAND
April 6, Saturday, DAY 1: DEPART U.S.A.
We depart on an overnight flight to Warsaw. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane.
April 7, Sunday, DAY 2: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY IN DIVINE MERCY SHRINE – HAVE NO FEAR CENTER – WELCOME TO POLAND
We are met by our tour director and transferred to the Divine Mercy Shrine. We start with the Divine Mercy Shrine, see St. Faustina’s convent chapel and her tomb. Here, the message of the Divine Mercy originated, which Christ himself wished to pass on to our generation through the mediation of St. Faustina. The Sanctuary houses the grace-working image of the Merciful Jesus and the relics of St. Faustina. We celebrate Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday at the Shrine. Time permitting we visit the newly constructed Shrine of Divinity dedicated by Pope St. John Paul II on his last visit to Poland in 2002. We have free time for lunch and shopping before returning to Krakow. The afternoon is at our leisure for shopping in the city center. Dinner and overnight in Krakow. Dinner at the hotel with an overnight stay in Krakow. (D)
April 8, Monday, DAY 3: KRAKOW – CZĘSTOCHOWA – AUSCHWITZ – KRAKOW
After breakfast we depart for a visit of the Jasna Gora Monastery, where we see the Treasury, the Knight’s Hall, the Refectory, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The highlight of our visit will be a viewing of the famous icon of the Black Madonna, to which miraculous powers are attributed. After free lunch, we continue to Auschwitz. This afternoon, we visit a Nazi concentration camp where St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) faced martyrdom. St. Maximilian Kolbe died in the Death Block from starvation after volunteering his life for that of a fellow prisoner. We depart to Krakow for check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B. D)
April 9, Tuesday, DAY 4: WADOWICE – KRAKOW
After breakfast we depart to Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II, and visit his childhood home, which is now a museum. We visit the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, where he was baptized. Lunch is on our own. After we continue to Krakow and to Wawel Hill to see Wawel Royal Castle (exterior view) and visit the Wawel Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Renaissance residences in central Europe. Old Town to see the main Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, Cloth Hall, and City Hall Tower. Dinner is on our own tonight for an opportunity to taste local food. Overnight in Krakow. (B)
April 10, Wednesday, DAY 5: KRAKOW – VIENNA
After breakfast we are transfered to Vienna to meet up with the rest of our pilgrimage group. Lunch stop will be planned but lunch is not included. (B) Follow the main itinerary starting with April 10- Day 2.