Triumph of the Heart Pilgrimage to Poland
Cost
$4,995 – Land and Group Air
$3995 – Land Only
$895 – Solo Traveler, Additional Cost
$995 – Ext. to Zakopane
$295 – Ext. to Zakopane Solo Traveler, Additional Cost
See brochure for information on solo pricing, tips, fees, and Zakopane extension. Final payment due TBD.
Dates
August 7-16, 2026
*Optional Extension to Zakopane: August 15-18, 2026
In the wake of the release of the acclaimed movie on St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Triumph of the Heart, this pilgrimage will be an exclusive opportunity to learn about the martyr of Auschwitz and the saintly Pope who canonized him, John Paul II, from Anthony D’Ambrosio, the film’s writer and director, and his parents Susan and Marcellino D’Ambrosio (“Dr Italy”). We follow the saints’ footsteps from Warsaw to the great Marian Shrine of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa, and then on to Krakow, beloved to both great saints as well as to St. Faustina, whose Divine Mercy shrine we will visit. The climax of our pilgrimage will be a Mass in Auschwitz on August 14, the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Then, after a restful final day celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption in Wadowice, where Karol Wojtyla spent his childhood, we will have the option to extend our trip with several invigorating days in the Zakopane mountains where St. John Paul II loved to hike and camp.
Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio and his wife, Susan
Known on Catholic radio and TV as “Dr. Italy,” Dr. D’Ambrosio is a NY Times best-selling author and a renowned commentator on Catholic issues, appearing as a guest on national news and a variety of Catholic radio networks such as Relevant Radio, EWTN, and the Sirius Catholic channel. He’s hosted an EWTN series on the Early Church Fathers for nearly 20 years, and has partnered with Ascension Press on immensely popular book & video study series, including the Jesus: The Way the Truth and the Life study series. A doctoral student of the renowned Jesuit theologian Avery Cardinal Dulles, Marcellino is an expert on the history of the Church in Europe and has a special familiarity with the shrines we will be visiting on this unique pilgrimage. Dr. Italy will be our principal guide, providing expert commentary on the saints, sites, and shrines of our Danube River journey through Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
After four years of seminary and a fruitful tour of duty as a Catholic Youth minister, filmmaker, and business owner Anthony D’Ambrosio faced a crisis. A prolonged dark night of sleeplessness and anxiety came upon him that no doctor could treat or diagnose. This led to despair and loss of his faith. Hearing about Kolbe’s heroic quest to bring meaning to the suffering of fellow Auschwitz prisoners, Anthony rediscovered Christ and found meaning in his own suffering. In gratitude, he wrote and directed Triumph of the Heart, the great Catholic film of 2025 that shares Kolbe’s story with the world.
Anthony D’Ambrosio
August 7, Friday, DAY 1: DEPART USA
We depart from DFW or New York on an overnight flight to Warsaw. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Premium economy and business class airfare quotes are available upon request and will be provided starting 120 days before departure. We work with group airfares, which do not permit us to assist with seat selection. If seat location is an important feature for you, please book a land-only package with us and arrange your own air travel.
August 8, Saturday, DAY 2: ARRIVAL IN WARSAW
Upon arrival in Warsaw, we are greeted by our Select International Tour Manager, who will accompany us throughout the trip and assist with luggage and boarding the motorcoach. We begin by visiting St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, where Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko served and where he is buried. Here, we learn about his life and explore the small museum. We celebrate Mass before gathering for the welcome dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Warsaw. (D)
August 9, Sunday, DAY 3: WARSAW
Following breakfast at the hotel, which is included each morning, we enjoy a walking tour of Old Town, which includes the Barbican, Market Square, St. John’s Cathedral, Royal Castle Square, and the Royal Castle (exterior view). We drive along the scenic Royal Route through the glamorous Nowy Świat shopping streets, mostly rebuilt after WWII, ending at Lazienki Park with its gardens, palaces, and Chopin Monument. Mass will be celebrated in Warsaw’s St. John’s Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Warsaw. (B.D)
August 10, Monday, DAY 4: THE SHRINE OF ST. KOLBE IN NIEPOKALANOW
We depart for Niepokalanów, the City of the Immaculate, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe. We explore the Sanctuary of Niepokalanów and learn about St. Maximilian Kolbe’s devotion to the Virgin Mary. Following lunch and Mass, we drive to Częstochowa for dinner and an overnight. (B.D)
August 11, Tuesday, DAY 5: OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA
This morning, we visit Częstochowa, home to Our Lady of Częstochowa, one of Poland’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Explore Jasna Góra Monastery and see the miraculous Black Madonna image. Have time for private prayer and devotion following Mass. In the afternoon, we drive to Kraków for dinner and an overnight. (B.D)
August 12, Wednesday, DAY 6: ST. JOHN PAUL II CENTER and DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
This morning, we visit the Have No Fear Center, also known as the John Paul II Sanctuary and Center. The visit offers us insights into his life and mission. Nearby, we visit the Divine Mercy Shrine, a place of deep spiritual significance associated with St. Faustina Kowalska. One of the sisters will welcome us and give us a talk about St. Faustina’s life and work at the Shrine. Following our private Mass, we visit the site where Saint Faustina lived and worked. We have time for private prayer and devotion. Dinner and overnight in Kraków. (B.D)
August 13, Thursday, DAY 7: KRAKÓW
Today, we explore the beautiful city of Kraków, following in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II. We visit Wawel Castle, the Cathedral, and other places frequented by St. John Paul II during his early years. Our visit includes St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and St. Florian’s Church. After lunch, we visit the Franciscan Church where St. Maximilian Kolbe once lived and where St. John Paul II often prayed. Mass will be celebrated. In the afternoon, we become familiar with the Jewish Ghetto. Tonight, dinner is at leisure, with the opportunity to explore the food scene in one of the cafes along the main square of Kraków. (B)
August 14, Friday, DAY 8: FEAST DAY OF ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE – AUSCHWITZ
Today is a day of sadness and celebration as we visit the former concentration camp of Auschwitz and see the cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe was held, along with many other prisoners. We celebrate Mass with the local Catholics. At the Martyrs Museum, we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Next door, we visit the Carmelite Convent, established to make reparation for the sins of the Holocaust, as well as the nearby church with striking paintings depicting St. Maximilian Kolbe’s sacrifice. Before returning to Kraków, we visit the Franciscan Monastery, which features a labyrinth. This emotionally difficult but very important day concludes with a celebration of life, featuring dinner and dancing at one of the restaurants that hosts traditional Polish weddings. Overnight in Kraków. (B.Special dinner with beverages)
August 15, Saturday, DAY 9: FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION CELEBRATED IN POPE JOHN PAUL II’S BIRTHPLACE plus VISIT TO THE KALWARIA
This morning, we drive to Wadowice, the birthplace of Saint John Paul II. We celebrate Mass with the locals at his childhood parish, where he was baptized. We then tour his house, now a museum, and have the opportunity to try his favorite cake during our lunch at leisure. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of Saint John
Paul II’s favorite pilgrimage sites, located on the way back to Kraków. It was here that the Saint came with his father after his mother’s passing, instructing him: “This is your mother now.” This Franciscan sanctuary, designed in imitation of Calvary, offers a profound spiritual experience, also linking it to St. Maximilian Kolbe, who was himself a Franciscan. For those who are not continuing on the extension to Zakopane, return to Kraków for a special dinner at a local brewery. Overnight in Kraków. (B.Special Dinner)
August 16, Sunday, DAY 10: RETURN TO US
After breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flight home. (B)
August 15, Wednesday, Day 9: FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION CELEBRATED IN POPE JOHN PAUL II’S BIRTHPLACE plus VISIT TO THE KALWARIA
This morning, we drive to Wadowice, the birthplace of Saint John Paul II. We celebrate Mass with the locals at his childhood parish, where he was baptized. We then tour his house, now a museum, and have the opportunity to try his favorite cake during our lunch at leisure. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, one of Saint John Paul II’s favorite pilgrimage sites. It was here that the Saint came with his father after his mother’s passing, instructing him: “This is your mother now.” This Franciscan sanctuary, designed in imitation of Calvary, offers a profound spiritual experience, also linking it to St. Maximilian Kolbe, who was himself a Franciscan. We continue to Zakopane for dinner and overnight. (B.D)
August 16, Sunday, Day 10: ZAKOPANE – OUR LADY OF FATIMA SHRINE – HIKING or EXPLORING THE TOWN
We celebrate Mass with the highlanders at the Shrine of Our Lady, built by the locals to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s recovery from the assassination attempt through the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima. In the afternoon, we take a funicular to the top of the mountain Gubalowka for incredible views of the region. We may also go hiking or enjoy a visit to the town of Zakopane. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. Overnight in Zakopane. (B. Special Dinner)
August 17, Monday, Day 11: RIVER RAFTING – KRAKÓW
We celebrate Mass, check out of the hotel, and enjoy a morning of fun and river rafting. We stop for lunch at a traditional Polish restaurant and then return to Kraków. Dinner is at leisure tonight. Overnight in Kraków. (B.L)
August 18, Tuesday:, Day 12: RETURN TO US
After breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flight home. (B)
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