March 29, 2024

Bishop Paul J. Swain will lead a pilgrimage to Poland from Oct. 12-20.

“Forty years ago this year St. John Paul II was elected by the Cardinals under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the 263rd Pope. He served for over a quarter century,” Bishop Swain said in announcing the pilgrimage. “His leadership, courage, humility and witness influenced my own faith life and millions of others, and continues to do so.”

The pilgrimage will visit sites important to St. John Paul II’s life as well as those of St. Faustina and St. Maximillian Kolbe among others.

The Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota is facilitating the pilgrimage.

Pilgrimages like this one are terrific opportunities for individuals to grow in their faith and to cultivate a deeper relationship with the bishop and the Church.

The basic elements of the pilgrimage will include the celebration of a Mass in Krakow on the 40th Anniversary Pope St. John Paul II’s Pontificate (Oct. 16) and the celebration of Mass at St. Stanislaus, where, as a seminarian, St. John Paul II attended Mass every day, and where he offered his second Mass and many other offerings.
The deadline to register is June 7 and there are only six months to go before the pilgrimage actually begins.

Additional information is available through the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota at 605-988-3708 or by calling the tour company: Peter’s Way Tours at 800-225-7662 or via e-mail at peter@petersway.com.