Fr. Dante Venus, S.V.D.
September 17, 2022
Germany, Bosnia Herzegovina, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia
This Pilgrimage is fully booked.
We encourage you to check our other available Pilgrimages.
A promise is a promise. The residents of the quaint town of Oberammergau perform a Passion Play every 10 years to fulfill a promise they made to God, who spared them from the deadly Bubonic plague almost 400 years ago. Performed on an open-air stage surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Bavarian Alps, be prepared to experience the richness of the scenes of Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem from Palm Sunday to Easter. Watch the most important Passion Play in the world in Oberammergau. Visit the picturesque island of Bled in Slovenia. And end your pilgrimage with a 3-night stay in the heavenly town of Medjugorje. Join a 16-day Pilgrimage to Oberammergau with Medjugorje plus Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia with Fr. Dante Venus, SVD leaving on September 17, 2022.
Your pilgrimage begins with a Mass at the Catholic Church of St. Johann Nepomuk in Munich, Germany. This awe inspiring church is an 18th century Baroque and Rococo church built by the Asam brothers. Stop by Munich’s Marienplatz (which translates to St. Mary’s Square), the city’s most famous square.
Head south to visit the world-famous Andechs Monastery, nestled in the charming countryside of the Bavarian Alpine foothills. Steeped in serenity and history, the Andechs Monastery is a hidden gem. Travel onwards to Steingaden to visit the stunning Pilgrimage Church of Weis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Miraculously preserved, the church is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo architecture. It was built to house the miraculous statue of the Scourged Saviour after tears were seen coming from the wooden statue of Jesus.
Next stop is a visit to the breathtakingly large, castle-like grounds of Kloster Ettal Benedictine Abbey. Close to Oberammergau, the Kloster Ettal Benedictine Abbey is rightly called one of the masterpieces of Bavarian architecture. Head for Oberammergau to watch the world famous Passion Play. Travel onwards to the Shrine of the Chapel of Grace in Altotting, which houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Altotting, or Black Madonna of Altotting.
Leave Germany for Austria to visit the major sights of Salzburg, including the various film locations of the “Sound of Music.” Next stop is Bled, Slovenia. Breathtaking and incredibly photogenic, Bled has a picture perfect church on an islet, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps as a backdrop. Head for Brezje to celebrate Mass at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, the national shrine of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ljubljana.
Leave Slovenia for Croatia and enjoy a full day tour of Zagreb, Croatia’s stunning capital. Proceed to Plitvice and spend a full day at the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Within the boundaries of this heavily forested national park, 16 crystalline lakes tumble into each other via a series of waterfalls and cascades. En route to Medjugorje, stop by Trogir and Split, which houses some of the most impressive ruins in the Mediterranean.
Spend three days in Medjugorje, an important place of pilgrimage and encouragement for the faithful seeking God in their lives. Climb the Apparition Mountain, or Mount Podbrdo, Our Lady’s first apparition site. Not to be missed is a chance to pray before the True Cross of Jesus on Krizevac Mountain, where a relic from the original cross of Christ was built into this cross.
Cap off your pilgrimage in the picturesque town of Dubrovnik. Dubbed as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.
Embark on a 16-day Pilgrimage to Oberammergau with Medjugorje plus Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia with Fr. Dante Venus, SVD leaving on September 17, 2022. Revel in the fullness of peace that can only be found in the loving presence of God.
Enjoy the rare treat of watching the Oberammergau Passion Play, which only happens every ten years.
Marvel at a masterpiece of God’s creation — the Plitvice Lakes National Park. You will find 16 lakes cascading in symmetry with a wonderful play of colors ranging from azure to green, gray, or blue!
Enjoy the peaceful and spiritual ambience in Medjugorje.
Indulge yourself in Dubrovnik‘s gastronomic delights where fresh local seafood tops the menu!
Ring the Wishing Bell at Bled Castle and have your wishes come true.
Ride a Pletna boat (a traditional boat made by locals whose origins date back to 1590) to Bled Island.
Lift up your petitions before the miraculous Black Madonna of Altotting, reputed to be “The Lourdes of Germany.”
Avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation while in Medjugorje. Many priests are available to hear confessions in different languages.
Watch the sunset in Dubrovnik. No wonder it’s world-renowned for its beauty!
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 a Pilgrimage Chaplain
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• Passport with six (6) months validity from the date of departure
• Old passports
• One (1) Visa Application Forms
• Two (2) pcs. passport-size pictures
• Original Bank Certificate (both Pesos and/or US Dollars) – must include account type, current balance, account opening, and six (6) months average•
• Original or certified true copy of Bank Statement for the last (6) months
• Affidavit of Support and Consent (signed and notarized by sponsor if financially incapable)
• If married, a copy of Authenticated Marriage Contract
• Copy of hotel voucher (to be supplied by ERI)
• Photocopy of International Credit Cards
(if available)
• Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of Php2.5 Million (valid for 30 days)
If employed:
• Employment Certificate – must be in company’s letterhead and must include the applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, and company’s address, telephone number, and email address
• Certificate of Compensation 2316
• If government employee, authority to travel is required
If in business:
• Original and Photocopy of Business Registration, DTI or SEC
• Original and Photocopy of Latest Income Tax Return
• Personal appearance by the applicant
• Processing Time: 15 – 30 days
VISA FEE: Php 9,500.00 *
* Subject to change without prior notice!
1) A non-refundable deposit of US$1,000.00 is required upon reservation together with a photocopy of a passport (valid for 6 months date of departure), Pilgrim’s Profile with a passport-size photo, visa fee, and travel insurance payment. NOTE: Oberammergau package is non-refundable. Name change is allowed.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than 45 days before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
> 60 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
> 45 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
> US$ 500 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 (30 kgs.), 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 PILGRIMS’ CENTER BY 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 subagents 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.
*** RATES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. ***
