The nation of Poland emerged a thousand years ago, through the age of knights, castles, kingdoms, and conquerors. When WWII erupted, Poland was suddenly a tragic tale, where the Jewish populace found themselves on the edge of genocide. Today, a testament to survival is found in museums and memorials across the country. Cities like Kraków have preserved their Gothic past and Poland has one of the best collections of amazing medieval castles and churches anywhere in Europe.
Poland is known for its heart-warming homemade food, the kind that makes you feel like your visiting grandma. Like her food, Poland’s people will give our pilgrims the experience of visiting a far-away family who has been waiting for your arrival. Whether you are looking for a pilgrimage that tackles humanity’s big questions, or you are looking for splendid solitude in dense forests, mountain hideaways, or crystalline lakes where the Creator’s beauty shines, Poland is the place for you. Register for your pilgrimage or missions trip today.
Overview
- Dine on traditional Polish cuisine.
- Hike through natural beauty that will still your heart.
- Contemplate man’s capacity for evil and forgiveness at the Auschwitz Memorial
- Dive into the underground world of the Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Worship in a Polish Cathedral filled with sacred surprise
Itinerary
Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.
- Day 1 –Witamy w Polse! (Welcome to Poland!)
Welcome to Poland! Are you ready for an international adventure? Poland’s history goes back to the 10th century, which means we have over a thousand years of kings and castles to explore. We will do a bit of castle spotting as we head to Krakow to our monastic home base. Tonight, we prepare our hearts for the adventure of a lifetime. - Day 2 – Adparo (To Prepare)
The former royal capital of Kraków is a living architecture museum through the ages. It’s perfectly preserved Gothic core proudly wears the layers of Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architectural styles. We’ll study the history of Poland through an underground tour of Krakow. The theme of our journey is the Latin word adparo, “to prepare.” Let us prepare our hearts inwardly for pilgrimage, in our personal lives, and the community of faith. - Day 3 – Splendid Solitude
One of Poland’s gifts to you is a love for hiking. Away from the big cities, much of Poland is unspoiled. While large swathes of the country are flat, the southern border is lined with a chain of low-lying, beautiful mountains that invite quiet and contemplation. We spend a few hours in this splendid solitude, experiencing the peace of God that passes all understanding, a peace the Spirit longs to give us. - Day 4 – Auschwitz
We will be taking a somber journey today to the Auschwitz Memorial concentration camp. Between 1940 and 1945, over 1.1 million people from eighteen nations died here, including Jewish men, women and children, and Soviet and Polish prisoners of war. We explore a dark history today, uncovering the worst of mankind and the best of humanity. This is a day that has the potential for lifelong transformation, so prepare your heart to listen for the Spirit’s voice. - Day 5– Unexpected
Preparing for the unexpected is a huge part of being a pilgrim. To that end, we are throwing some unexpected twists and turns at you today. Our first stop is a place hidden from the world, full of secrets and legends. We will need to journey underground to wander the Mine of Mysteries. The afternoon allows us free time to explore Krakow before a journey to Calvary. - Day 6 – Transition
Our journey heads north to Warsaw, but we go by way of monastic meandering. Life’s inevitable transitions are some of the hardest things to prepare for as we go from one time to the next. Once in Warsaw, we settle in and do a bit of exploration. The capital of Warsaw, like the legendary phoenix, has arisen from the ashes of destruction during WWII. Today, she impresses with her resilience, respect for history, contemporary style, and sheer joie de vivre. - Day 7 – Warsaw Beauty
Let’s contemplate the heart of Warsaw as we prepare for beauty. Today we walk through her magnificent market center, weave amongst its diverse architecture, and visit a few of her treasures, such as the art of Łazienki Park and the Galeria Forty. How does beauty reflect God’s love and prepare our hearts for the world around us? - Day 8 – Wesołego Sabatu
“A happy sabbath” to our Poland pilgrims. We begin our Sunday worshiping with our fellow Anglicans in Warsaw before spending a free afternoon exploring the town. A gigantic, scrumptious Polish feast will fill our bellies during our Celebration Dinner, before ending our evening with our sacred Pass the Candle service. - Day 9 – Farewell, Poland
This voyage has been an adventure that will forever leave an imprint on our lives. Each step has been one of preparation for our future. We depart with this pilgrim’s blessing from Pope John Paul II: “And I cry out from the depths of this millennium – let your Spirit descend and renew the face of the earth. The face of this land. And our hearts.” Pożegnanie Polsko, Farewell Poland!
Legacy Location
Legacy in Poland
- *This is the base cost of the trip. Your cost may differ depending on housing, activities, etc.
