Pilgrimage to Poland
Experience Pilgrimage in Poland and Central Europe
Catholic Pilgrimage to Poland
A pilgrimage to Poland and Central Europe is a step into rich Catholic history and tradition. Ponder the remarkable story of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina’s mystical life while following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II throughout his birthplace and hometown. Pray before the original image of the Merciful Jesus in Vilnius and experience a Eucharistic miracle in the village of Sokolka. Come see the replica of the Holy House of Loreto – Our Lady’s home and venerate the original statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Travel to the heart of Europe and witness the miracle of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa, the beauty of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the tragedy of Auschwitz, and the richness of Polish culture and faith.
Poland Pilgrimage Sites
One of the most Catholic countries in Europe, Poland invites pilgrims to follow such saints as Pope John Paul II, Faustina Kowalska, and Maximilian Kolbe into its rich cultural and religious history.
Church of
St. Stanislaw Kostka
The foremost pilgrimage site in Warsaw is the grave of Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko on the grounds of the Church of St. Stanislaw (Stanislaus) Kostka. Murdered in 1984 by Communist officers, Fr. Popieluszko was the chaplain of the Solidarity social movement that acted in opposition to the oppressive regime.
Cathedral of St. John
The Archcathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is one of 3 cathedrals in Warsaw. Originally built in the 14th century, it had to be rebuilt after the destruction caused by WWII. It was rebuilt in pseudo-gothic style and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Royal Castle
The earliest structures on this site were built in the 13th century as homes for the Dukes of Masovia. Later structures were home to Polish royalty until the Polish partition in 1795. Rebuilt after its destruction in WWII, it now serves as a museum and hosts many official visits and state meetings.
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Poland and Central Europe
Experience Poland and Central Europe, where the Catholic faith is lived deeply throughout the region and the legacy of the local saints permeates the sacred shrines and holy sites.
Czech Republic Pilgrimage Sites
As one of the few major cities to be spared from major damage during the Second World War, Prague beckons with its historical beauty and rich Catholic heritage.
Brno Cathedral
The Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul is a national cultural monument and one of the most important pieces of architecture in South Moravia. The church bells peal the noon hour one hour early to commemorate victory over invading Swedes during the Thirty Years’ War.
Charles Bridge
Named after King Charles IV, it was once the only means of crossing the Vitava River and thereby the only road connecting Prague to the rest of the world. It is now a pedestrian bridge and one of the most visited sights in Prague.
Shrine of Loreto
One of the most important pilgrimage shrines in the Czech Republic, the Shrine of Loreto houses a replica of the Virgin Mary’s house. It is also known for its bell tower housing thirty bells that have been in use since the late 17th century.
Central European Pilgrimage Sites
Experience inspirational Catholic culture and history as you walk in the footsteps of the saints, venerate miracles, and celebrate Mass in the sacred sites where millions have pilgrimaged before.
Bratislava, Slovakia
A compact city on the banks of the Danube River, Bratislava is smaller and quieter than other European capitals, but that doesn’t take away from its charm. Surrounded by vineyards and mountains, it is known for its outdoor cafes and the Bratislava Castle, perched high on the hills overlooking the city.
Budapest, Hungary
Created out of the unification of the two cities of Buda and Pest, one on each side of the Danube River, the central area of this capital of Hungary is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seven bridges crisscross the river, which is also dotted with islands, as it flows through the city. The oldest Catholic church in Hungary, located in the heart of Budapest, houses the relics of three saints and offers 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration.
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
This capital of Lithuania is home to the Divine Mercy Shrine housing the original painting of the image of Divine Mercy. In the Convent of the Sisters of Holy Mother of God’s Mercy, in 1935, Jesus dictated to St. Faustina the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
SIAULIAL, LITHUANIA
The Hill of Crosses near the city of Siauliai has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, it is covered in thousands of crosses, large and small, many in an elaborate folk-art style. Despite being bulldozed three times by the Soviet authorities, the crosses quickly reappeared each time.
PLOCK, POLAND
Home to the convent where St. Faustina’s mission as the Apostle of Mercy began in 1931. Jesus first appeared to her here and asked her to paint the image of His Divine Mercy, featuring the words Jesus, I trust in You.
Glogowiec and Swinice
Warckie, Poland
The birthplace of St. Faustina where the Kowalski family home has been converted into a museum depicting life as it was when they lived there as well as containing memorials of the family. The parish church in Swinice Warckie, St. Casimir the Prince, is where young Helena was introduced to the faith through Baptism and First Communion and is now a diocesan shrine.
Sokolka, Poland
In 2008, during Mass in the local church, a consecrated host fell from the hands of a priest, who picked it up and put it into a container of water to let it dissolve. A week later, the Host was discovered to be still largely intact with a large bloodstain on it. Two separate independent commissions, each found the blood clot to be the heart tissue of a living person nearing death, with the muscle fibers so interwoven with that of the remaining host that it would be impossible to create through human means, verifying this Eucharistic miracle.
Bialystok, Poland
Bialystok is also known as the City of Mercy because of how closely it is connected with Divine Mercy. Blessed Fr. Michael Sopocko was the spiritual director of St. Faustina and encouraged her to write her Diary. He lived and worked in Bialystok for almost 30 years. Sites to visit in this city are St. Faustina's Chapel, the Congregation of Sisters of Merciful Jesus, Father Sopocko’s home, the Archcathedral, and the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, housing Blessed Fr. Sopocko’s tomb.
Zakopane, Poland
A picturesque resort town at the base of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, Zakopane was a favorite outdoor destination of St. John Paul II while he was Bishop of Krakow, and he even celebrated Mass here as Pope. The nearby Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima was built in gratitude for the sparing of the life of Pope John Paul II after the assassination attempt on his life, though the statue held here was donated to the region by the Bishop of Fatima years earlier. Near the shrine is a small chapel dedicated to the “Polish Pope.”
Why Choose Tekton?
Tekton Ministries has been leading Catholic pilgrimages for more than 20 years. We work and listen closely to our priests and pilgrimage leaders to create thoughtfully planned itineraries. We help make the Catholic faith more tangible to your daily life by taking you where the seeds of Catholicism were first planted to be spread across the world. Daily Mass and time for prayerful reflection are important parts of each day’s experience.
| 25+ Years in Ministry | |
| True pilgrimage – not religious tours | |
| Custom-crafted itineraries | |
| Authentic Catholic experiences | |
| Inclusive, competitive pricing | |
| Properly paced itineraries include daily Mass and time for reflection |
| Only Catholic/Christian guides | |
| Prayerful pre-pilgrimage preparation | |
| Custom guidebooks, name and luggage tags | |
| Local offices and support worldwide | |
| Free pilgrimage promotional materials | |
| Easy online registration means no extra effort for your busy staff |
If none of these available dates work for you, please click the blue button below to be notified when the next pilgrimage is open for registration. You will receive an email with all the pilgrimage details at that time.
Alternatively, you can plan a pilgrimage for your parish by clicking the red button below. Someone from our office would be happy to speak with you about this.
Alternatively, you can plan a pilgrimage for your parish by clicking the red button below. Someone from our office would be happy to speak with you about this.