PILGRIMAGES
Please browse our upcoming pilgrimages below. You can contact us with questions or to reserve your place.
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| Camino de Santiago (The Way) + Lourdes & other Marian Shrines | Dates: Apr 17th (Fri) to Apr 29th (Wed) 2026 | Registration for this tour is now closed. Details » |
Camino de Santiago, The Way with the The Most Reverend, Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison Join us on this amazing pilgrimage following the footsteps of the Apostle St. James the Greater, evangelizer of Spain, brother of St. John the Evangelist, son of Zebedee. One of the most spectacular journeys you'll ever experience! Our pilgrimage will be walking the famous Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) across Spain, the second oldest pilgrimage route in Christendom. Bonus! The pilgrimage will be making 3 brief visits to amazingly beautiful Marian Shrines! Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, site of the apparitions of The Immaculate Conception to St. Bernadette! Shrine of the Virgin of Torreciudad* (*pending weather), sitting on the foothills of the Aragonian Pyrenees, and site of many conversion miracles. Shrine/Co-Cathedral/Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, site of Mary's visitation to St. James, the first ever recorded apparition (a bilocation to be exact) of Mary (40 AD). During the first days of the pilgrimage there will be sporadic walking across Spain, but the last 100 kilometers (66 miles approximately) of the itinerary will be on foot for those who wish to obtain the coveted pilgrimage certificate of The Camino, given by the Diocese of Santiago de Compostela. If you are not concerned about receiving the Camino Certificate, then walking on the Camino is not compulsory. Visit the following locations: In France, Lourdes and the French Pyrenees. In Spain: Spanish Pyrenees, Torreciudad* (*pending weather), El Pilar in Zaragoza (where Mary appeared to St. James), Logroño, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Rioja Wine Region, Burgos, Ponferrada, Sarria, Portomarin Palas del Rey, Arzua, O Pedrouzo, Santiago de Compostela, Finisterre (Land's End) or Fisterra, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Camino! Join us! This pilgrimage will provide many opportunities for deep prayer and conversation with God along the Way. For more details it is best to read the brochure! Click on the yellow button on the upper right side of this box. LIMITED TO ONE BUS! (scroll down to see notes below)
Chaplain(s): * Bishop Donald Hying, Bishop of the Diocese of Madison, WI Pilgrimage Director: Juan Landa Tour Manager/Guide: Cesar Higueras Departure city: Chicago O'Hare Airport *Optional airport bus transfers from Madison, WI to Chicago O'Hare are offered (see registration - page #5 and 6 of brochure - click yellow button above right)
Capacity reached for this pilgrimage! Extra space has been requested with vendors. Join our waitlist! We encourage you to send your registration in to join our waitlist!
Notes! NOTE 1: This pilgrimage is limited to one bus only. Hurry and register now to avoid disappointment later on! NOTE 2: This pilgrimage is expected to sell out before its registration deadline (December 18, 2025) NOTE 3: Pilgrims who wish to complete this pilgrimage in its entirety, in order to receive the certificate from Diocese of Santiago de Compostela, should know that there is an excessive amount of walking required (from 2 to 22 miles a day). However, there are options for those who wish to avoid excessive walking. Pilgrims may opt to walk portions of "The Way" some days and relax on others. Those who wish to do this, will not qualify for the Diocesan Certificate (we remind here that the certificate should not be the reason for joining this pilgrimage), but in any case, those pilgrims who choose not to walk "The Way", should at least be able to walk between 2 to 6 miles a day, which is typical of any tour. NOTE 4: In case our Chaplains become unable to participate, the pilgrimage will continue to operate and every effort will be made to obtain a substitute Priest(s). |
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| Themes: Marian Pilgrimages, St. Josemaria Escriva, Camino De Santiago (Road of St. James), Lourdes and France, Footsteps of a Saint | Locations: France, Spain | |
| Italia Bellissima ) | Dates: May 2nd (Sat) to May 14th (Thu) 2026 | Registration for this tour is now closed. Details » |
Italia Bellissima"Most Beautiful Italy"
with Nettuno, Montecassino, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Manopello, Our Lady of Loreto, Assisi, and Rome Join Mater Dei with Fr. Tony O'Neill, from the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN) on this amazing and beautiful pilgrimage to Italy visiting unforgettable places like Rome, Assisi (land of St. Francis and St. Clare), Montecassino (resting place of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica), San Giovanni Rotondo & Pietrelcina (St. Padre Pio) and unforgettable Lanciano (oldest Eucharistic Miracle of the Church)! Also visits to Manopello (Veronica's Veil), the beautiful areas of Abruzzo as well as the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto and so much more! As with all Mater Dei pilgrimages to Italy, a top-notch visit of Rome and Vatican City is planned! Remember that the most amazing gift of a Plenary Indulgence is offered to those pilgrims (meeting all the traditional requirements) who pray at Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome! CHAPLAIN: Fr. Tony O'Neill, Roman Catholic Priest from the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota. TOUR DIRECTOR: Dennis Gaetano, True Catholic Pilgrimages, Mater Dei's affiliate. DEPARTURE CITIES: Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport - Other airports may be available. Please call for possible add-on price. This pilgrimage's registration deadline has passed! You may send your registration in to join the waitlist!!
Send registration in now to join the waitlist! |
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| Themes: Rome, Vatican, and the Holy Father, St. John Paul the Great, Pope Francis, Footsteps of a Saint, Twin Cities Pilgrimages | Location: Italy | |
| Medjugorje + Croatia + Ireland | Dates: May 10th (Sun) to May 17th (Sun) 2026 | Registration for this tour is now closed. Details » |
M E D J U G O R J E
Mini-Poland & MedjugorjeJoin Fr. Simon Tipps, from the Diocese of Madison, WI, and Juan & Erin Landa from Mater Dei Tours, on this wonderful Mini-Pilgrimage to Poland and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Included in the Mini-Tour portion of Poland, Land of Saints & Martyrs, we visit Old Warsaw, Cathedral of Warsaw, see the Jewish Quarters, see the Ghetto Monument, see the Warsaw Uprising Monument, Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka (to pray before the tomb of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko), Convent of the Congregation of the Sister of Our Lady of Mercy (where St. Faustina entered religious Life), Niepokalanow (to pray before the relics of St. Maximilian Kolbe to see the City of the Immaculata) and Warsaw City filled with history and rich culture! In Herzegovina, we visit Medjugorje, the main purpose of our pilgrimage. Here, we have an unforgettable spiritual retreat with an emphasis on prayer for interior peace, reparation, atonement, and seeking God's Will for our lives. Visit St. James Parish Church, home to many spiritual events as well as some of the reported apparitions. Climb Apparition Mountain, site of the first ever apparition in Medjugorje, Blue Cross (site of subsequent apparitions), Cross Mountain and many other sites associated with Medjugorje, inside and outside Medjugorje. We stay at a lovely and peaceful pilgrim hotel. The Vatican has cleared the way for Catholic Pilgrimages to visit Medjugorje. Mater Dei has answered the call to bring pilgrims to Medjugorje! As with all Mater Dei pilgrimages, a solid spiritual program accompanies the pilgrimage. Daily Mass, Daily Rosary, Daily Chaplet, Daily Meditations/Talks, and more.
Will you join us?
Chaplain: Fr. Simon Tipps, Diocese of Madison, WI Director: Juan Landa, from Mater Dei ®
Registration deadline has passed!
Try again next year! |
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| Themes: Central Europe, Marian Pilgrimages, St. John Paul the Great, Divine Mercy, Footsteps of a Saint | Locations: Bosnia & Croatia, Poland | |
| Italia Magnifica | Dates: May 23rd (Sat) to Jun 4th (Thu) 2026 | Registration for this tour is now closed. Details » |
Italia Magnifica"Magnificent Italy"
with Nettuno, Montecassino, Pietrelcina, San Giovanni Rotondo, Lanciano, Manopello, Cascia, Our Lady of Loreto, Assisi, Siena, Orvieto and Rome Join Mater Dei with Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC, from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, on this amazing and beautiful pilgrimage to Italy visiting unforgettable places like Rome, Assisi (land of St. Francis and St. Clare), Orvieto (Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto), Siena (Eucharistic Miracle of Siena and St. Catherine's Relic), Cascia (St. Rita's body and the Eucharistic Miracle of Cascia, Montecassino (resting place of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica), San Giovanni Rotondo & Pietrelcina (St. Padre Pio) and unforgettable Lanciano (oldest Eucharistic Miracle of the Church)! Also visits to Manopello (Veronica's Veil), the beautiful areas of Abruzzo as well as the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto and so much more! As with all Mater Dei pilgrimages to Italy, a top-notch visit of Rome and Vatican City is planned! Remember that the most amazing gift of a Plenary Indulgence is offered to those pilgrims (meeting all the traditional requirements) who pray at Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome! CHAPLAIN: Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC, Roman Catholic Priest from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. TOUR DIRECTOR: Juan Landa, Mater Dei Catholic Pilgrimages. ESCORTS: Miros & Theresa Maszczak, Curators of the Vatican Approved Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit. DEPARTURE CITIES: Chicago O'Hare Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport - Other airports may be available. Please call for possible add-on price. This pilgrimage is no longer available! Registration deadline has passed. Try out fall pilgrimages to Italy!
Try our Italy pilgrimages this fall! |
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| Themes: Rome, Vatican, and the Holy Father, St. John Paul the Great, Pope Francis, Footsteps of a Saint | Location: Italy | |
| Marian Shrines | Dates: Jul 6th (Mon) to Jul 17th (Fri) 2026 | Details and Registration Form » |
Marian ShrinesPortugal, Spain & France
Join St. Joseph Tours on one of the most amazing Marian pilgrimages you'll ever experience!
Visit the following Marian Shrines: Lourdes, France; Fatima, Portugal; Torreciudad, Spain; El Pilar, Spain; Sonsoles, Spain and Our Lady of Sonsoles, in Spain! In addition to these magnificent places, visit Barcelona, Barbastro, Zaragoza, Avila (and its amazing medieval Walls), Segovia (with its imposing Alcazar Castle and massive Roman Aqueduct). Many of these places are Patrimonies of Humanity! Also pray before the incorrupt remains of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila (not exposed). Learn about the Saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Josemaria Escriva, Saint Jacinta, Saint Francisco, and so much more (we have surprises)! We also witness a Eucharistic Miracle in Santarem, Portugal! For more details it is best to read the brochure! Click on the yellow button on the upper right side of this box. Spiritual Director: Fr. John Waiss, from St. Mary of the Angels Church in Chicago Tour Manager: Cesar Higueras Departure city: Chicago, O'Hare
Registration deadline has passed now! There is talk of new dates for the same pilgrimage! Let us know if you wish to receive the brochure when it is ready. Send us an email to questions@materdeitours.com |
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| Themes: Marian Pilgrimages, St. Josemaria Escriva, Lourdes, Fatima and the Shrines of Our Blessed Mother, Carmelite Spirituality, Lourdes and France, Fatima and Portugal, Footsteps of a Saint, St. Joseph Tours | Locations: France, Portugal, Spain | |
| JAPAN | Dates: Jul 10th (Fri) to Jul 23rd (Thu) 2026 | Registration for this tour is now closed. Details » |
Mater Dei's Japan"Shrines and Martyrs of the Rising Son"
Join Mater Dei and Fr. Joe Baker, on this extraordinary pilgrimage tracing the spiritual history of Christianity in Japan! Pilgrims will travel through places made holy by martyrdom, missionary zeal, and quiet perseverance. Beginning in Nagasaki, the birthplace of Japanese Catholicism, pilgrims walk in the footsteps of the Twenty-Six Martyrs, the Hidden Christians, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose life of sacrificial love continues to inspire the Church. The journey continues through Hirado, Unzen, and Shimabara, where early missionaries and faithful believers endured persecution, offering their lives in witness to Christ, dying in horrendous ways so that the Church could survive in Japan. In Hiroshima, pilgrims will pray for peace and reconciliation at sites that call the world to repentance and hope. Traveling onward to Kyoto (Japan’s capital of culture), Mt. Fuji (Japan’s majestic natural beauty), and Tokyo (one of the world’s largest cities), the pilgrimage reflects on how faith endures within modern society. The journey culminates in Akita, a Marian pilgrimage site calling the faithful to prayer, repentance, and Eucharistic devotion. Throughout the pilgrimage, daily Holy Mass, prayer, and reflections invite pilgrims into deeper conversion, renewal, and trust in God’s providence.
CHAPLAIN: Fr. Joe Baker, Roman Catholic Priest from the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, and Pastor of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. TOUR DIRECTOR: Juan Landa, Mater Dei's President. DEPARTURE CITY: Chicago O'Hare International Airport - Other airports may be available. This pilgrimage's registration has passed! But please send in your registration ASAP, as we may still be able to get you in!! DON'T WAIT! PRAY and send in your registration!
We may still be able to get you in! |
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| Themes: Marian Pilgrimages, Footsteps of a Saint | Location: Japan | |
| Poland, Land of Mercy, Land of Saints + Lithuania | Dates: Sep 11th (Fri) to Sep 22nd (Tue) 2026 | Details and Registration Form » |
Poland & LithuaniaLands of Mercy, Lands of Saints, Lands of Mary! Join us on this amazing Divine Mercy pilgrimage following the lives of great Saints like Saint John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina Kowalska, Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, and many others. Immerse yourself in the story of the Divine Mercy by visiting Vilnius, Lithuania, to witness the original Painting of Divine Mercy! Also in Lithuania visit the site of the Apparition of Our Lady of Siluva and the famous Hill of Crosses and the famous icon of Our Lady, Gate of the Dawn! Continue the Divine Mercy Saga in Poland by visiting the Birthplace of St. Faustina and also her Baptismal Church. Pray at the place where she first saw Jesus of the Divine Mercy! Pray a Chaplet where she entered the Convent in Warsaw, and also at the Divine Mercy Shrine (site of the Tomb of St. Faustina). Pray before the original Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Jasna Gora! Visit Wadowice, the birthplace of Saint John Paul II! Visit Auschwitz & Birkenau, the former nazi concentration camps (place where St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross were martyred). Learn about the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe at the City of the Immaculata in Niepokalanow. Visit the unique Salt Mines of Wieliczka with its underground Church. See for yourself why John Paul II loved his Tatra Mountains by visiting Poland's Zakopane* area. Tours of Warsaw and Krakow are also included and so much more! Chaplain: Fr. Jason Keas, Archdiocese of Denver, CO. Tour Director: Susan & David Swanson, from Stella Maris Tours, Mater Dei ® Affiliate in Colorado. Group Departure City: Denver, CO Departure Options: In addition to Denver, there are departure options for an add-on price, for Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Pilgrims departing from Chicago and Minneapolis, should know that they will be traveling unescorted to Germany, then meet the group there and fly together to Krakow. On the return, you will fly together with the group from Vilnius to Germany, then separately to your destinations. Other cities may be available at a possible add-on cost.
Pilgrimage is now open! Register now! Don't wait! Expected to sell out before the deadline!
The most complete Divine Mercy pilgrimage! |
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| Themes: Central Europe, St. John Paul the Great, Divine Mercy, Footsteps of a Saint, Stella Maris | Locations: Lithuania, Poland | |
| Italia Bellissima ) | Dates: Sep 28th (Mon) to Oct 8th (Thu) 2026 | Details and Registration Form » |
Italia Bellissima"Most Beautiful Italy" with Bari, San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant'Angelo, Lanciano, Manopello, Our Lady of Loreto, Assisi, and Rome Join Mater Dei with Msgr. Richard Gilles, rector of the cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, in the Diocese of La Crosse, WI) on this amazing and beautiful pilgrimage to Italy visiting unforgettable places like Rome, Assisi (land of St. Francis and St. Clare), San Giovanni Rotondo (St. Padre Pio), Monte Sant'Angelo (St. Michael the Archangel), Bari (St. Nicholas) and unforgettable Lanciano (oldest Eucharistic Miracle of the Church)! Also visits to Manopello (Veronica's Veil), the beautiful areas of Abruzzo as well as the Holy House of Nazareth in Loreto and so much more! As with all Mater Dei pilgrimages to Italy, top-notch visits of Rome and Vatican City are included! Remember that the most amazing gift of a Plenary Indulgence is offered to those pilgrims meeting all the traditional requirements and pray at specific Franciscan Shrines (for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis) as well as any of the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome. CHAPLAIN: Msgr. Richard Gilles, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin. TOUR DIRECTOR: Dennis Gaetano, True Catholic Pilgrimages, Mater Dei's affiliate. DEPARTURE CITIES: Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport - Other airports may be available. Please call for possible add-on price. This pilgrimage registration is now open! Send your registration now before space is gone!!
Don't wait! Send registration in now before the bus is full! [1 bus only] |
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| Themes: Rome, Vatican, and the Holy Father, St. John Paul the Great, Pope Francis, Footsteps of a Saint, Twin Cities Pilgrimages | Location: Italy | |
