SWORD OF ST. MICHAEL
A 12-DAY PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND, ENGLAND, FRANCE & ITALY
SWORD OF ST. MICHAEL
A 12-Day Pilgrimage with Fr. Luke Washicko
September 23 - October 4, 2024
Starting at $4,152
TRIP SYNOPSIS
Join Father Luke Washicko, SSPX on this special pilgrimage visiting the four of the main European sites dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, which form part of the Sword of St. Michael: Skellig Michael (Ireland), St. Michael's Mount (England), Mont-Saint-Michel (France), and Sacra di San Michele (Italy).
The other three sites that form part of the mysterious geographical line of St. Michael’s Sword are: Monte Sant’Angelo (Italy), Monastery of St. Michael Panormitis (Greece), and the Carmelite Monastery of Stella Maris in Haifa (Israel). These sites will be visited on the sequel to this pilgrimage in 2025.
A fantastic opportunity to render special homage to St. Michael the Archangel, and experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. Benefit from daily Mass, the companionship of your fellow travelers, and the safety and ease of group travel!
HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
Ireland: Skellig St. Michael Island
England: St. Michael’s Mount Island, Land’s End
France: Mont-Saint-Michel, St. Joan of Arc in Rouen
Italy: Sacra di San Michele (Abbey of St. Michael) near Turin, Basilica Our Lady Help of Christians: burial place of St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, Church of the Virgin of the Consolation, Turin’s Cathedral
The Sword of St. Michael
The enmity between St Michael and the Devil is symbolized by a mysterious geographic line called the “Sword of Saint Michael,” linking seven shrines dedicated to the great Archangel, mostly on hilltops. This line extends northwest to southeast from Skellig Michael in Ireland and ending at the Carmelite Monastery of Stella Maris Haifa, Israel. Some of these shrines were formerly places of pagan devil-worship. Transformed into some of the most sublime monasteries, basilicas and churches, these shrines to Saint Michael represent his victory over the devil and his powerful intercession before the Throne of God.
Text taken from americaneedsfatima.org
ITINERARY
Day 1. Monday, September 23: Transatlantic flight to Cork
Fly from San Francisco (SFO) to Cork (ORK), Ireland.
Day 2. Tuesday, September 24: Arrival in Cork, Ireland
Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival in Cork, transfer to your hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight. (WD)
Day 3. Wednesday, September 25: Cork - Skellig St. Michael
This morning, drive to Portmagee and have lunch before taking a boat ride out to Skellig St. Michael Island (subject to the weather). Head back to Cork for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)
Day 4. Thursday, September 26: Cork, Ireland – St. Ives, England
This morning, leave early for Dublin airport to take a flight to Newquay, England. Upon arrival, drive to St. Ives area for some time to explore on your own. Dinner and overnight in St. Ives. (BB, D)
Day 5. Friday, September 27: St. Ives – St. Michael’s Mount – Plymouth
After breakfast at your hotel in St. Ives, travel to St. Michael’s Mount nearby. After your visit, enjoy lunch before taking a driving tour around Penzance/ Lizard Point/ Land’s End on the way to Plymouth. Then, after dinner near Plymouth, take the ferry for Roscoff, France. Overnight on the Ferry. (BB, L, D)
Day 6. Saturday, September 28: Roscoff, France – Mont-Saint-Michel/Avranches area
Upon early arrival into France, transfer to the Mont-Saint-Michel/Avranches area. After lunch, enjoy free time before dinner and overnight in Mont-Saint-Michel/Avranches area. (BB, L, D)
Day 7. Sunday, September 29: Avranches – Mont-Saint-Michel – Caen
This morning, head to Mont-Saint-Michel for a visit. Then, drive to Caen for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)
Day 8. Monday, September 30: Caen – Rouen – Paris
Journey to Rouen to visit its Cathedral, the St. Joan of Arc Museum, and the place of her martyrdom. In the afternoon, travel to Paris for dinner and overnight in Paris airport hotel. (BB, L, D)
Day 9. Tuesday, October 1: Paris – Turin
Early transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for your flight to Turin, Italy. Upon arrival, have lunch and enjoy some free time. Dinner and overnight in Turin. (BB, L, D)
Day 10. Wednesday, October 2: Turin – Sacra di San Michele
Visit Sacra di San Michele followed by free time. Dinner and overnight in Turin. (BB, D)
Day 11. Thursday, October 3: Turin
Your guided sightseeing of Turin will include visits to the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, with relics of St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello; the Church of the Virgin of the Consolation, the most beautiful church of Turin that houses the relics of St. Joseph Cafasso, called Priest of the Gallows and he was for 20 years the spiritual director of St. John Bosco; and Turin’s Cathedral that enshrines the Holy Shroud, the most important relic of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Turin. (BB, D)
Day 12. Friday, October 4: Homebound Flight
Transfer to Turin airport for your homebound flight.
Buffet Breakfast (BB); Lunch (L); Dinner (D); Welcome Dinner (WD)
* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.
CHAPLAIN
Fr. Luke Washicko hails from Southern California. He was ordained at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Dillwyn, Virginia on June 17, 2022. He is currently stationed at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Retreat House in Los Gatos, California and takes care of the SSPX chapels in Carmichael and Chico. Fr. Washicko also teaches 9th and 10th grade religion at St. Thomas More School in San Jose.
Father has visited Europe several times and is very much looking forward to serving as chaplain on this pilgrimage!
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Currently there are no travel restrictions to Ireland, England, France or Italy.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations for this pilgrimage are in first-class hotels.
Rooms in double occupancy are for two people to share; they have two twin beds or one double bed. Rooms in single occupancy have a single bed and are for one person to occupy; a “single supplement fee” is added for single occupancy rooms.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The current group air reservations are listed below. The outgoing flight departs from San Francisco (SFO) airport. Please do not purchase any air tickets until we notify that the group is fully formed. The group air schedule could undergo minor changes from the airlines; if a major change occurs, we will modify the listed flight schedule.
KLM Flight 606 23SEP San Francisco (SFO) - Amsterdam (AMS) 1:50PM-9:05AM 24SEP
KLM Flight 1129 24SEP Amsterdam (AMS) - Cork (ORK) 3:50PM-4:40PM
Aer Lingus Flight 3930 26SEP Dublin (DUB) - Newquay (NQY) 11:25AM-12:45PM
Air France Flight 1102 01OCT Paris (CDG) - Turin (TRN) 9:05AM-10:25AM
KLM Flight 1638 04OCT Turin (TRN) - Amsterdam (AMS) 6:20AM-8:10AM
KLM Flight 605 04OCT Amsterdam (AMS) - San Francisco (SFO) 9:50AM-11:45AM
TRIP PACE
The pace for this pilgrimage is “on the go”.. There is daily walking and standing. Pilgrims must be in active enough condition to walk 3-4 hours and stand for 2-3 hours per day. We strongly recommend preparing oneself by walking before the trip, building up to at least 2-3 miles per day.
Sometimes walking is up or down slopes, and at times sidewalks and terrain will be uneven. Pilgrims must have full mobility and be able to climb several stairs, since many of the visited places have no other access. A certain pace must be kept by all pilgrims in order to cover the scheduled sightseeing. Some days may have several hours on the motor-coach.
Also see the “PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS” section in the General Terms & Conditions.
PRICING INFORMATION
Pilgrimage price per person (pp) with air from San Francisco (SFO): $5,275 (includes estimated air taxes & surcharges)
Land-only pilgrimage price in double occupancy: $4,152 pp
Single supplement: $1,017
Non-refundable deposit of $300 pp is due by: June 19, 2024
Balance due by: July 26, 2024
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Scheduled group flights San Francisco-Cork, Turin-San Francisco for the air-inclusive package; and Dublin-Newquay, Paris-Turin flights for both air and land-only packages
Accommodations in first-class hotels
Daily Holy Mass
Deluxe motor-coach for scheduled transfers and sightseeing
Daily breakfasts, dinners, and most lunches
Services of a professional English-speaking tour escort
Admission fees for all included sightseeing
Porterage for one suitcase per person at the hotels
Service charges, government fees
What’s not included:
Travel insurance
Gratuities to tour escort, local guides, driver, and church stipends
Also see the “NOT INCLUDED” section in the General Terms & Conditions.