Croatia & Medjugorje

Your pilgrimage begins today, when you board your flight to Dubrovnik. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight. Your spiritual journey awaits!

Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, collect your luggage and continue to the arrival hall, where we will meet our tour director, who will accompany us throughout our pilgrimage. We will then transfer to our hotel for dinner and a restful night’s sleep. Overnight will be at our hotel in Dubrovnik.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as “The Jewel of the Adriatic.” We will visit St. Blaise Church, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. The original church was destroyed by fire in 1706, with only a small silver statue of St. Blaise surviving. Our group will receive the Blessing of the Throat with special candles available. After celebrating Mass, we will visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, including the Treasury containing 182 relics, including reliquaries of the head and arm of St. Blaise, a relic of St. John II, and a piece of the true Cross believed to be brought to Dubrovnik by Queen Margaret of England. In the afternoon, we will visit the 14^th-century Franciscan Church and Monastery and walk the Old City Walls, where we will enjoy spectacular views of the city, including the Dominican Church and monastery and Sponza Palace (exterior views). Enjoy some time at leisure exploring the timeless streets peppered with small family-owned shops and restaurants. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel in Dubrovnik.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will drive to Medjugorje, one of the most visited sanctuaries by Catholic pilgrims. Mass will be celebrated in the chapel at the Franciscan Convent. After lunch, we will be given a walking tour of Medjugorje, including St. James Church and the surroundings. This evening at 6 p.m. local time, join villagers and fellow pilgrims at St. James Church to commemorate Our Lady appearing to the Visionaries. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.

This morning, we will visit Podbro, also known as Apparition Hill, the site of the apparition of Our Lady. At the base of the hill is a blue cross marking the spot where Our Lady appeared to the children when they hid from the communist police in the early days of the alleged apparitions. As we climb the Apparition Hill, we will recite the rosary, pausing five times for each decade of the rosary. The top of the hill is where the first alleged apparition of Our Lady occurred on June 24, 1981. We’ll take time for prayer and reflection before returning to our hotel for breakfast. Mass will be celebrated at St. James Church. Enjoy the afternoon on your own for prayer and confession, and enjoy the sights and sounds of this peaceful village. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.

This morning, we will have the opportunity to climb Mt. Krizevac, or Cross Mountain. In 1933, local villagers built a 30-foot-high cross atop the mountain to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. On the way to the top, we will pray the Stations of the Cross. Spend time praying before returning to our hotel for breakfast. Mass will be celebrated. This afternoon, we will visit the Cenacolo Community, founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1983. This organization helps young men and women whose lives have taken a wrong turn and are on the road to recovery through faith, prayer, work, and the virtue of charity. We will listen to a few of their testimonies and then walk through the neighborhood of the visionaries before returning to our hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel.

After breakfast, we will pray the Stations of the Cross through the eyes of Mary, pausing at each Station, and ending at the Statue of the Risen Christ, all located on the grounds of St. James Church. This statue miraculously seeps droplets of water out of Christ’s right knee at all times of the day. Mass will be celebrated. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel in Medjugorje.

After breakfast and Mass, we will drive to the nearby Kravice Waterfalls, arguably the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe. We will walk the trail leading to these majestic falls, which provide fabulous views as you reflect on God’s beauty in nature. Enjoy a swim and relaxation before returning to Medjugorje. Dinner and overnight will be at our hotel in Medjugorje.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will drive to Cavtat, a charming seaside town near Dubrovnik airport. We will enjoy lunch along the promenade and some time at leisure. Mass will be celebrated. Tonight’s farewell dinner with wine will be at a local restaurant. Overnight accommodations in Cavtat.

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our return flight home.