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)

Registrations are open and space for this pilgrimage is expected to sell out before the deadline. 

We encourage you to send your registration right away!

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).

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 expected to sell out!

SEND YOUR REGISTRATION IN RIGHT AWAY!! 

DON'T WAIT!

Send registration in now before space disappears!