Bishop Pol Jaucian, SVD
September 22, 2025
Italy
Fr. Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD, was ordained bishop at Christ the King Seminary, in the very church where he served as a lowly, diligent sacristan before he entered the seminary. It is his humility that has endeared him to so many people. Even as our provincial superior, he was very understanding and welcomed confreres with open arms. These are the very same traits that make him effective and efficacious in the Diocese of Abra. “Manete in me” (Remain in me) is his motto. Bishop Pol is Bishop Pol because he has truly, humbly and conscientiously remained in God. (Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD)
Walk through the holy doors, gain plenary indulgence, and experience God’s boundless mercy. Embark on a 13-day Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Italy with Bishop Pol Jaucian, SVD, from September 22 to October 4, 2025, organized by the Alay sa Diyos Community. Let this pilgrimage be a time of renewal, grace, and a profound encounter with God.
Begin your pilgrimage with a four-night stay in the eternal city of Rome, the spiritual heart of Catholicism and the home of Popes and Saints. During your stay, visit the major sites and shrines, including the four major basilicas – St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Walk through the Holy Doors, a rare privilege granted only during the Jubilee Year. Stand in awe before the magnificent St. Peter’s Square, climb on bended knees the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) – the steps walked by Christ on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate – witness the grandeur of Michelangelo’s Pieta, and immerse yourself in the spirituality that exists here.
Leave Rome for Subiaco, where St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order, withdrew as a hermit before establishing twelve monasteries. It was here that his monastic rule began before he moved to Montecassino. When you arrive at the village, you will be welcomed by the Ponte di San Francesco, a stunning medieval arch bridge built in 1358, gracefully spanning the River Aniene.
Visit the Monastery of St. Benedict, also known as the Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco (Holy Cave), which enshrines the very grotto where the young St. Benedict of Norcia lived in solitude during the early sixth century. The monastery is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, adorned with thirteenth- and fourteenth-century frescoes and paintings. Perched dramatically on the mountainside, it stands as one of the most breathtaking monastic sites in the world—a place where history, art, and deep spirituality converge.
Head for Montecassino to see the Abbazia di Montecassino, which was established by St. Benedict in 529 and serves as the mother monastery of the Benedictines. The elaborate church from the 17th century is decorated inside with exquisite mosaics, frescoes, and marble. The relics of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, his twin sister, are housed in a bronze urn beneath the high altar of the Basilica. Before leaving for Naples, the group will be scheduled for Mass.
Travel to Mont Sant’ Angelo to see the grotto that houses the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo), a sacred cave where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared and consecrated the shrine himself.
Continue with your pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. Visit the cell where St. Padre Pio lived and died. In the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle Grazie Church), stand before the crucifix where St. Padre Pio received the stigmata while deep in prayer. Then, enter the Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (sometimes referred to as Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church) to pray before his incorrupt body, displayed in a part-glass coffin.
Next, travel to Lanciano, to view the Eucharistic Miracle, still miraculously preserved in a monstrance at the Church of St. Legontian since the 8th century. From there, make your way to Loreto to visit the Basilica of the Holy House, a shrine believed to be the house where our Blessed Mother was conceived and born and where the Holy Family lived. Pious devotees believe that the same house was flown over by angelic beings from Nazareth to Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia). Then the house was again transported to the hilltop town of Loreto in Italy in 1294.
Your journey continues to Cascia, the hometown of St. Rita, the beloved patron saint of impossible causes. Visit and celebrate mass at the Monastery and Basilica of St. Rita of Cascia, a minor basilica where the incorrupt body of St. Rita is preserved.
Wind down your pilgrimage with a two-night stay in Assisi, the medieval city built on a hill and the hometown of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order. The sublime city of Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In particular, the Basilica di San Francesco, which houses the tomb of St. Francis, is considered a masterpiece.
Follow in the footsteps of the saints and embrace the call of His Holiness Pope Francis to a special year of grace and renewal during the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. Join a 13-day Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Italy with Bishop Pol Jaucian, SVD, on September 22 to October 4, 2025. May this life-changing journey renew your faith, uplift your spirit, and fill your heart with the enduring hope that only God can give.
Italy’s famed gelato is a big hit! Make a game of tasting one in every Italian city you will visit — compare and enjoy!
Learn these simple Italian words: “grazie” (thanks); “ciao” (hello or goodbye); and “prego” (you’re welcome or please)
Shop for rosaries, medals, and other religious souvenir items while on pilgrimage, and ask your pilgrimage chaplain to bless them before heading home.
Whisper a prayer for your loved ones before the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio while on your visit to San Giovanni Rotondo.
Avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation while on pilgrimage, one of the conditions required to receive the plenary indulgence for the Jubilee year.
Spiritually-focused journeys
Insightful pilgrimage chaplains
Quality accommodations
Expertly-crafted itineraries
Friendly and bonded groups
Senior citizen friendly
The whole pilgrimage is a new and fulfilling moment in my life. It’s a nice feeling being with the Lord in His important day. And also, gaining new friends and becoming my new extended family is something I will treasure. I hope that this is just the beginning and we’ll continue to get in touch with one another despite the distance.
Brenda
Hello Co-Pilgrims,
It was indeed a wonderful Pilgrimage: very rich in history, a thanksgiving of blessings, a spiritual renewal and nourishment, and finally ending in a test of Faith.
Thank you so much Pilgrim Leader, Ging Igual, for standing beside us up to the last stretch of our 13-day journey - more particularly in the handling of an unexpected situation (cancelled flight in Mexico and re-direction of flights to make sure the 38 Pilgrims reach LA for their respective flight bookings). Ging, you were an angel to us so blessed with energy, passion, love and Milagrosa. We really felt the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe fielding angels every step of the way.
The Pilgrimage to California Mission Churches and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me personal inspiration for the work and activities of the next chapter of my lifetime: farming with promotion of agriculture for millennials (inspired by the scenic view of farms in California), tourism (which is a major industry in all places we visited), and support for a favourite major seminary in Tagaytay and a scholarship fund for deserving individuals (thru a non stock non profit institution).
Thank you to my Co-Pilgrims and prayer partners for the prayer support, sharing of life experiences and friendships; Fr. Tony, thank you for your spiritual reflections and service; Fr. Jerry Orbos for an overflowing spiritual reflections and enabling us to have the needed personal encounter with Jesus and Mama Mary (it was like a 12-day Holy Retreat); and the Executive Resources for making a very nice pilgrimage package a part of our lifetime.
Ms. Emma
Lord, we cannot find words enough to say how grateful we are to You. Our pilgrimage made us realize that Your love for us is more than what we deserve.
To all our co-pilgrims, thank you for making us feel we belong to this new family. To Fr. Dante, thanks for your prayers and pieces of advice for our spiritual nourishment. To Sis Lea, for taking care of each one of us. To Sis Joy, thanks for the contagious joys and laughters.
To our prayer partners, Sis Maribel, Melvy and Didick and Bro Mon and Sis Jot, thank you for your prayers. We will pray for you, too!
To The Pilgrim’s Center - Executive Resources, thank you for accommodating us in this Eastern Europe Pilgrimage.
God bless us all always!
Albert and Adee
Dear Pilgrims' Center:
My husband Aldo & I would like to praise & commend our Pilgrim Chaplain Fr. Dante Venus & our Tour Leader Bro. Monty for the very successful & memorable pilgrimage to Italy & the Holy Land we were very fortunate to join on March 26-April 8, 2018.
It was very hectic to be sure, but still they managed our time very well that we were able to visit more places than was promised in the itinerary, and we are very appreciative of that. Likewise, the solemnity of the whole pilgrimage experience was still observed despite many of us in the group, myself included, often forgetting that we were pilgrims & not tourists 😉😉, taking photos, selfies, etc. instead of, or before focusing on what the local guide was explaining or on the scripture readings. I cannot fault us pilgrims on this because for many of us seniors, and I speak for my husband & I, that trip might be our first & last time to visit those places, so we made sure they were properly documented. Nonetheless, it was a truly spiritually uplifting & life-changing experience for us. We continue to thank our Lord for making that experience of a lifetime possible. Indeed, nothing is impossible for God! Thank you very much to Fr. Dante, Bro. Monty & to each of us pilgrims in the group for the prayers, love, care & concern shown to each other. Let us continue to pray for and with each other. It is my hope that we meet each other again soon, to strengthen our bonds of friendships.
Most sincerely, Leclec Cabusora
Leclec Cabusora
My husband and I just came back from a wonderful trip to Israel - with Franciscan Fr Reu Galoy. Thank you Pilgrim Center for the arrangements. We are so happy and satisfied with all that you have done for us. Kudos to Yanyan and Monty from Pilgrim Center, and Fr Reu and Ronin for your caring services. It was a spiritual journey and we felt the abiding presence of the Lord all throughout.
Ann Arguelles Cortes
Our pilgrimage was worth all the hardships (I was having leg pains). We had an excellent leader in the person of Adrian, two priests Fathers Val and Ron, who gave us very nice pieces of advice and homilies, and of course the members of the group who were all very nice. Looking forward to join another pilgrimage.
Emily Bautista
It was the most profound experience I had in my whole life....Walking with the Footsteps where Jesus walked made my life more grateful and humble....My faith become stronger as I express it...A growing faith is a sharing faith....TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! SHALOM!
Carmen Nierra
Vir & I would like to express our gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage we had from Sept 5-18. From checking-in last Sept 5 & all during the tour, we felt the care from a family. No words can ever describe how thankful we are.
I almost cried last Sept 8, (my birthday) when we (2 of us have the same birthday) were given a surprise mini celebration when after our dinner, we were given a cake. I really felt the love of a family then.
All these things made possible because of your capable coordinator Ms. Ging Igual. She's such a wonderful leader. Kudos to her.
Rest assured that i will refer your company to all my friends who are planning to go on pilgrimage .
Good day & may God always guide & protect all of you in the Pilgrims' Center/ Executive Resources, Inc.
Cora and Vir Franca
I am honored to be included in this pilgrimage. The Pilgrims' Center has very good itineraries worth remembering. No hours wasted. They took very good care of us in spite of our big number of 47 people. The daily mass and homilies of Fr. Manny Cruz held in different shrines and churches were very inspirational and transforming. Accommodations were nice most especially the one on top of the Mountain with an awesome view built in 1909. It's like travelling back in time. I definitely would want to do it again with Pilgrim Center.
Peter Joseph Mapua
The Pilgrims' Center always gives you the best. They let you feel like an Executive in terms of personal service & attention especially during pilgrimage. Their choices of pilgrimages and pilgrim chaplains are outstanding. You go back home very fulfilled and immersed...
Marlene Silvestre
with With a Pilgrimage Chaplain
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with With a Pilgrimage Chaplain
READ MORE +1) A non-refundable US$ 1000.00 deposit is required upon
reservations together with a photocopy of a passport (valid
for 6 months from the date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile, and
the visa fee (if applicable).
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in
no case shall it be later than 90 days before the departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 90 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 60 days before departure date – Full tour cost will be
forfeited.
> US$500.00 Admin Fee for any visa denial
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Visa fees and
documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical
expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of
extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and
beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as
laundry, telephone, fax, room service, and other expenses not
mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour
services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors.
Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its sub-agents therefore
only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services
described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in
connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of
schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure.” All tours and
arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each
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acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions. When making
a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts
the foregoing conditions.
RATES AND ITINERARY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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