Fr. Joel Jason
Bro. Bo Sanchez
September 13, 2023
Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bro. Bo Sanchez is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, Catholic lay preacher, and motivational speaker. He is the founder of the Light of Jesus Family. His work as a Catholic lay preacher has brought him all over the world. Bro. Bo has received many recognitions and awards in the Philippines and the Church. These include winning the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award in 2006 and the Serviam Award, the highest award a lay Catholic may receive, from the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 2007. Bro. Bo has been organizing annual pilgrimages – or “travelling retreats”, as he calls them – with The Pilgrims’ Center for the past 30+ years.
Join a 14-day Pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the Shrines of Italy, “Finding Joy in God’s Presence – Part 2,” led by Bro. Bo Sanchez with Fr. Joel Jason on September 13 – 26, 2023.
Begin your pilgrimage with a 3-night stay in the beautiful city of Rome. Dubbed as the greatest open-air museum in Europe, Rome will steal your breath away. Visit the major shrines and basilicas of Rome, including the Basilica of St. Peter, built over the tomb of St. Peter; the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of St. Paul; the Church of Saint Paul at the Three Fountains, site of the martyrdom of Saint Paul; and the Sistine Chapel, well known for its amazing frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo.
From Rome, travel to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order and one of the most revered Catholic saints. Marvel at the grandiose and gorgeously embellished Basilica di San Francesco, which contains the sacred relics of St. Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life. Head for 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. Next stop is Lanciano to view the Eucharistic Miracle, still miraculously preserved in a monstrance at the Church of St. Legontian since the 8th century.
Journey on to San Giovanni Rotondo, where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. Visit the cell where St. Padre Pio lived and died. See the crucifix in front of which he received the stigmata while praying in the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Santa Maria delle GrazieChurch). Pray before his incorrupt body displayed in a part-glass coffin at the Sanctuary of Saint Pio ofPietrelcina (sometimes referred to as Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church). Head for the Monte Sant’ Angelo to visit thegrotto that houses the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo). It is believed that here, St. Michael the Archangel appeared and consecrated the shrine himself.
Journey onwards to the city of Bari in southern Italy, where you will take an overnight ferry bound for Split in Croatia. Enjoy a walking tour of Split, which houses some of the most impressive ruins in the Mediterranean. See the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Depart for Dubrovnik. Steeped in stunning architecture and sculptural detail, Dubrovnik is nicknamed “the Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
From Dubrovnik, drive to Medjugorje, a special place chosen by God where the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing every day for almost 30 years. Medjugorje is often described as the place where Heaven meets Earth. A special place that pulsates with a spiritual resonance that attunes you to God. During your three day stay here, make sure to spend a lot of time in prayer and reflection. Climb the Apparition Hill, site of the first apparitions. Along the path, The Wooden Cross marks the site where Our Lady made the first call for peace.
Our God is lavish with His grace. Join a 14-day Pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the Shrines of Italy, “Finding Joy in God’s Presence – Part 2,” led by Bro. Bo Sanchez with Fr. Joel Jason on September 13 – 26, 2023. While on pilgrimage, ask God to bless you with a heart that will be receptive to the treasure chest of graces He desires to shower upon your pilgrimage. May this experience help deepen your faith and love for Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and the Saints.
Avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation while in Medjugorje. Many priests are available to hear confession in different languages.
Pray the Way of the Cross while climbing the Cross Mountain (Krizevac) in Medjugorje.
Climb the stairs on bended knees at the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) in Rome, known to be the steps Christ walked on his way to trial before Pontius Pilate.
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 on your visit to San Giovanni Rotondo.
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
1) A US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo, visa fee, and travel insurance payment.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than 30 days before departure date.
3)The following cancellation charges will apply:
>45 days before departure date – US$ 500.00
>30 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
>20 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
>US$ 300.00 Admin Fee for any visa denial.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Philippine Travel Tax (PHP1,620.00), airport taxes, 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, tips for drivers, guides, tour escorts, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
THE PILGIRMS’ CENTER – 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 contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger 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 WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE! ***
