EUROPEAN PILGRIMAGE
July 22-29, 2024
Footsteps of Saint Patrick
Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B.
Retreat Description: On this trip, pilgrims will visit traditional sites of the Emerald Isle that are connected with the life of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Sites include the former friary at the Hill of Slane, the grave of Saint Patrick at Down Cathedral, and Lough Derg, the Sanctuary of Saint Patrick. Participants will also visit the famous Marian Shrine in Knock, the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, and have an opportunity to literally follow in Patrick’s footsteps in a climb up Croag Patrick.
This trip is being run in conjunction with Verso Ministries. A complete itinerary is available at this link.
Retreat Master: Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B., is a professor in the Education Department at Saint Vincent College, procurator of Saint Vincent Archabbey, and award-winning author for his book Renewed Each Morning: Reflections from the Rocking Chair. The book won an honorable mention book award from the Catholic Press Association in 2006 for first-time author of a book, and a contributing author to the Saint Vincent Basilica: One Hundred Years, which won a second place CPA Award the same year. He is also the founder of the Bearcat B.E.S.T. transition program at Saint Vincent, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who can achieve, with appropriate transition programming, a greater level of independence than a sheltered workshop would provide them.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Time: July 22-29, 2024.
Fee: $4200 (does not include airfare). If $1000 deposit option is chosen, arrangements will be made with the retreat office to complete payment in full.
Check-In: Details of the check-in will be sent upon registration.
Other Information: Details will be sent upon registration. For a complete itinerary visit this link or continue reading.
July 21 | Depart U.S.
Depart U.S. for Dublin. (Flights not included in the package).
July 22 | Dublin
Arrive in Dublin, transfer to hotel. Pilgrims should plan to arrive no later than noon to Dublin. The pilgrimage will officially begin at 3 p.m. in the hotel lobby. There will be a welcome Mass in a local church and dinner in a local restaurant or pub. Pilgrims will stay in the Academy Plaza Hotel (or similar), where dinner is included.
July 23 | Venice, Slane,
Downpatrick, Belfast
The group will visit the Hill of Slane, site of a former friary, then continue to Downpatrick to visit the Down Cathedral with Mass, prayer at the grave of Saint Patrick, and tour Saint Patrick’s Centre. The group will stay at the Holiday Inn Express (or similar) in Belfast, where breakfast is included.
July 24 | Downpatrick,
Armagh, Donegal
The day will start at Armagh with an exploration of two cathedrals named in honor of Saint Patrick—the Church of Ireland cathedral and the Roman Catholic cathedral. There will be an overnight stay in Donegal at the Station House Hotel (or similar), with breakfast included.
July 25 | Lough Derg
Continuing a stay at the Station House, there will be a day pilgrimage to Lough Derg, the Sanctuary of Saint Patrick and pilgrimage site since the fifth century. Breakfast is included.
July 26 | Donegal, Knock, County Mayo
Pilgrims will depart Donegal for County Mayo, and en-route stop at the Knock Shrine to celebrate Mass at the site of the apparition of Mary in 1879. They will stay overnight in County Mayo at the Glasshouse Hotel or similar. Breakfast is included.
July 27 | County Mayo,
Croagh Patrick, Galway
Group members will climb Croagh Patrick, an approximately four-hour hike, dine on a packed lunch, then head to Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery nestled in the beauty of Connemar. They will transfer to Galway, where they will stay in the Lady Gregory Hotel (or similar). All three meals are included on this day.
July 28 | Galway, Cliffs
of Moher, Dubli
Pilgrims will attend Mass in a local church, then drive through the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher. After transferring back to Dublin, they will take part in a farewell dinner in a local restaurant or pub, returning to the Academy Plaza Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner are included.
July 29 | Dublin
Depart Dublin. Breakfast included. Airfare not included.
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