A Pilgrimage to Poland: In the Footsteps of Saints & Mercy

Highlighting St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina and St. John Paul II

Join us on a powerful journey to Poland, a land marked by deep faith, heroic saints, and the radiant message of Divine Mercy. This pilgrimage invites you to walk where St. Maximilian Kolbe offered his life in love, where St. Faustina received Heaven’s message of mercy, and where St. John Paul II was formed into a shepherd who changed the world.

Dr. Mike Scherschlight is the founder and CEO of the Holy Family School of Faith. Mike has a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Marianum in Rome. He and his daughter, Teresa provide daily, dynamic and formative content related to the Catholic Faith on the Daily Rosary Meditations Podcast.

Cari Hillyer serve in a variety of ways for the mission of the Holy Family School of Faith including the Catholic Spiritual Mentorship program and Catholic Pilgrimage experiences.

We have provided you with a day to day trip itinerary. Please note that the itinerary is subject to modifications if needed. This pilgrimage involves a moderate amount of walking each day and participants should be in good general health and physically able to keep pace with the group. Pilgrims must be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces such as cobblestones, sidewalks, and gravel paths, as well as navigating stairs, inclines, and occasional longer walking distances between sites. Some locations may have limited access to elevators or ramps. By registering for this pilgrimage, each participant acknowledges they are physically able to take part fully in the itinerary and understand that mobility limitations may impact their ability to participate in certain activities.

Travel day from USA to Warsaw, Poland

Meet your guide and transfer together by private bus close to St. Stanislaw Kosta Church for a welcome Polish Lunch. Visit the burial place of Blessed Fr. Jerzy and celebrate Mass. Transfer to the hotel and check in.

Dinner at leisure, on your own.

Today we travel to Niepokalanów, the Franciscan monastery founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, for a full day dedicated to his life, mission, and Marian spirituality. Upon arrival, we will begin with Holy Mass, offering our intentions through the Immaculate Virgin Mary, whom Kolbe loved and served so faithfully. Following Mass, we will enjoy a guided tour of the museum, learning about Kolbe’s work of evangelization, his devotion to Mary, and the remarkable legacy of faith he built at this sacred place.

Later, we will gather for a spiritual talk and reflection on Kolbe’s message of courage, purity, and total consecration to Our Lady. We will then pray the Rosary together in the wooden chapel, a peaceful and prayerful setting that invites deeper trust and surrender to God. The afternoon includes time for quiet exploration, personal prayer, and meditation, allowing each pilgrim to reflect on the saint’s witness and how it speaks to their own journey of discipleship.

In the late afternoon, we will transfer back to our hotel in Warsaw. This evening we will come together for a group dinner at the hotel, sharing fellowship and reflecting on the graces of the day.

This morning we will depart Warsaw and transfer by private motorcoach to Częstochowa, Poland’s most important Marian pilgrimage destination. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a group lunch together before beginning our sacred time at the renowned Jasna Góra Monastery, home of the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa (the Black Madonna).

In the afternoon, we will take part in a guided tour of Jasna Góra, learning about the monastery’s rich history, its role in the spiritual identity of Poland, and the deep devotion to Mary that has drawn pilgrims here for centuries. We will then celebrate Holy Mass at the shrine, followed by a spiritual talk and time of prayer, concluding with the Rosary as we entrust our intentions to Our Lady.

After our time at the shrine, we will transfer to our hotel and check in for the evening in Częstochowa. Dinner is on your own, allowing time for rest, personal prayer, or an evening walk near the sanctuary.

Overnight in Częstochowa.

This morning we will begin our day in Częstochowa with Holy Mass, offering our intentions through Our Lady and asking for the grace to remain faithful to Christ in every circumstance. Following Mass, we will depart by private motorcoach and travel toward Auschwitz, a place of profound sorrow and powerful witness to the dignity of the human person.

A group lunch will be included en route before we arrive for a guided tour of Auschwitz, where we will walk through the camp and learn about its history, the lives lost, and the courage shown by those who endured unimaginable suffering. During our visit, we will have time for prayer and reflection, including a visit to the cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe sacrificed his life, offering himself in place of another prisoner, an extraordinary act of love and heroic charity. We will conclude our time at the camp by praying the Rosary within the compound, entrusting the victims, our families, and the world to God’s mercy and peace.

In the late afternoon, we will continue by motorcoach to Kraków, where we will check into our hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening, allowing time for rest after an emotionally and spiritually significant day.

Overnight in Kraków, which will serve as our home base for the remainder of the pilgrimage until our departure from Poland.

Today is dedicated to the message of Divine Mercy and the life and spirituality of St. Faustina Kowalska as we travel to Łagiewniki, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world for those devoted to the mercy of Jesus. Upon arrival, we will visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy, entering this sacred sanctuary with hearts open to renewal, healing, and deeper trust in Christ.

We will begin with Holy Mass in the Italian Chapel located beneath the Basilica, a beautiful setting for prayer and gratitude as we offer our intentions and ask for the grace to live the message of mercy more fully. Following Mass, we will receive a spiritual talk from one of the Sisters of Mercy, providing insight into St. Faustina’s life, her mission, and the profound meaning of the words: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

Later, we will pray the Rosary together and enter into a time of guided reflection with a meditation led by Dr. Mike Scherschligt, inviting each pilgrim to deepen their personal encounter with the merciful heart of Christ.

A group lunch will be included at the Sanctuary of St. Faustina, followed by unstructured time for quiet prayer, reflection, and exploration of the grounds.

In the afternoon, we will gather for a sacred Holy Hour and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the chapel where the relics of St. Faustina are present—an especially powerful moment to entrust ourselves, our loved ones, and the world to the mercy of Jesus.

This evening, dinner is on your own, giving you the freedom to choose from the many wonderful restaurants and cafés nearby. We encourage you to explore Kraków’s beautiful Main Square (Rynek Główny), just a short walk from the hotel, where you’ll find plenty of dinner options ranging from casual cafés to traditional Polish cuisine in a lively and historic setting.

Today is dedicated to the life, formation, and spiritual legacy of St. John Paul II, whose priesthood and ministry were deeply shaped by the people and places of Kraków. This morning we will drive to the Salesian Parish of St. Stanislaus in Dębniki, where Jan Tyranowski—the humble layman and spiritual mentor who profoundly influenced the young Karol Wojtyła—is buried. We will gather here in prayer and entrust our intentions to Our Lady as we pray the Rosary, asking for the grace to grow in holiness through everyday faithfulness, as Tyranowski did.

Following this visit, we will return to Kraków for a walking tour of the city, visiting key sites connected to St. John Paul II’s life and ministry. Along the way we will see the Bishop’s Residence, where he famously greeted and spoke to young people from the window, and visit the Franciscan Church, a place of prayer that was central to his spiritual life. We will also walk along Gołębia Street, commemorating his years of study and formation, and continue toward St. Mary’s Basilica, one of Kraków’s most iconic churches and a powerful symbol of the faith that shaped Poland’s heart.

We will then have dedicated prayer time and celebrate Holy Mass at St. Florian’s Church, where Karol Wojtyła served as a young priest and where his pastoral heart for the people began to shine. After Mass, lunch is on your own. You will find plenty of choices for a relaxed meal in one of Europe’s most beautiful historic squares.

The afternoon will be free time until 7:00 PM, allowing you to rest, explore the Old Town, shop, or return to a church for personal prayer and reflection. This evening we will come back together for a group dinner at a local restaurant, sharing fellowship and gratitude for a day spent walking in the footsteps of a saint.

This morning we will travel to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of Poland’s most beloved pilgrimage sites and a place especially dear to St. John Paul II. Upon arrival, we will visit the historic Bernardine Monastery, a peaceful sanctuary known for its deep spiritual tradition and beautiful setting for prayer and reflection. We will celebrate Holy Mass here, offering our intentions and asking for the grace to grow closer to Christ through Mary.

Following our visit, we will begin our return to Kraków with a group lunch included along the way, enjoying time together to reflect on the morning’s graces.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure in Kraków for personal exploration, shopping, or simply resting. Dinner is on your own this evening, giving you the flexibility to choose from the many wonderful restaurants and cafés throughout the Old Town and Market Square.

This morning we will walk together to Wawel Hill, one of Poland’s most sacred and historic sites. Upon arrival at Wawel Cathedral, we will celebrate Holy Mass, joining centuries of saints, kings, and pilgrims who have worshiped in this spiritual heart of the nation. After Mass, there will be time to visit the surrounding cathedral and castle grounds, taking in the beauty, history, and significance of Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River. A guided tour will be available for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the cathedral, royal tombs, and the role Wawel has played in Poland’s faith and history.

Following our visit, lunch is on your own, with many excellent cafés and restaurants nearby. The afternoon will be at leisure, allowing time for last-minute shopping, personal prayer, or enjoying Kraków’s Old Town at your own pace.

This evening we will gather for a special farewell dinner, complete with a traditional Polish folklore show, celebrating the culture, music, and hospitality of Poland as we reflect together on the blessings of our pilgrimage.

Today we bring our pilgrimage to a close as we transfer to John Paul II International Airport for our journey home. As we depart Poland, we carry with us the many graces of these days—strength and courage inspired by St. Maximilian Kolbe, renewed trust in the mercy of Jesus through St. Faustina, and the enduring witness of faith and hope shown to the world by St. John Paul II.

May the prayers offered at these holy places continue to bear fruit in our lives, and may we return home renewed in faith, strengthened in hope, and ready to live the message of this pilgrimage with joy and courage.