Pilgrimages and Tours
with Father John

Lenten Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes Discovery with Barcelona - March 15-24, 2026

Father John Gatzak hosted 42 pilgrims, all supporters of the Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio, on this special Lenten Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes.

The pilgrims deepened their Lenten journey during this pilgrimage to these two famous and significant Marian Shrines.  In addition to Fatima, they visited Aljustrel, Valinhos.  In Lourdes, they visited and prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle; and many pilgrims participated in the Water Gesture... the washing of the face and hands with and drinking the water from the spring, just as Our Lady had instructed St. Bernadette to do.  The pilgrims also visited Spain with stops in Burgos where they visited the Cathedral of Burgos, which is along one of the Camino del Santiago pilgrimage routes, and concluded in Barcelona, with a farewell Mass at the Cathedral of Barcelona.

2025 Jubilee:  The Holy Year - October 26-November 6, 2025 - Florence, Assisi & Rome

Father John Gatzak hosted 37 pilgrims on this special pilgrimage tour to Italy in celebration of Jubilee 2025: The Holy Year of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Jubilee is a special year of grace, in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence, that is, the remission of sins for themselves or for deceased relatives. A Jubilee usually lasts a year and a few days: it begins just before the Christian Christmas and ends the Epiphany of the following year.

The pilgrims experienced Florence... birthplace of the Renaissance... where they saw the Duomo with Brunelleschi's magnificent dome, the Baptistery, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. Next they visited Assisi...  home of St. Francis and St. Clare... here they visited the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels built around the Chapel of the Porziuncoloa and spent time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. The pilgrims then spent 7 nights in the Eternal City... Rome.    Here they saw Rome’s Seven Pilgrim Churches and the Catacombs. They attended the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Pope Leo at the Vatican.  They discovered Michelangelo’s Last Judgment mural in the Sistine Chapel and explored St. Peter’s Basilica.

Italy:  Amalfi Coast to Puglia - November 1-14, 2024 -  Small Group Explorations Tour

Father John Gatzak hosted a Small Group Explorations tour of 24 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on this this special 14-day off-the-beaten track tour of Italy featuring the Amalfi Coast to the Puglia region!

The group was blessed with fantastic weather and absorbed the history, culture and food of Naples, Pompeii, Minori, Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Ostuni and Alberobello  They experienced traditional Neapolitan songs and music during a private performance at a local social enterprise, a wine tasting, and a Ape Calessino Tour.

Exploring Scotland & Ireland - August 25 to September 6, 2024

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 23 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on this amazing 13-day tour Exploring Scotland & Ireland.

The group took in the warm Celtic culture and majestic scenery of these two remarkable lands.  Tour highlights included:  the regal city of Edinburgh on a panoramic coach tour and by foot.  Hunting for Nessie during a cruise on the famed Loch Ness and exploring the ruins of Urquhart Castle.  Enjoy a traditional evening of Scottish food and entertainment.  In Belfast they learned about the "Troubles" and saw the Peace Wall and visited the fantastic Titanic Experience and remembered the century-old tragedy that shook the world.  They braved the Irish weather during a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and soaked up incredible views of the Causeway Coast, during their rail journey to Derry. The tour ended in Ireland’s bustling capital city of Dublin where they visited the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral

National Parks of America - May 21 to June 1, 2024

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 37 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on this amazing and awe inspiring 12-day tour of our National Parks.  Tour highlights included:  Scottsdale, Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Old Faithful, Sheridan, the Bighorn Mountains, the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore.

Classic Christmas Markets - December 9-17, 2023

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 18 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on this spectacular 9-day tour featuring Christmas markets in Innsbruck, Munich, Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Würzburgall. Tour highlights included visits to: Oberammergau, Innsbruck, Munich, the Black Forest, Strasbourg, Rothenburg, Würzburg, Nuremberg, and of course the Christmas Markets in many of these cities/towns!

Discovering Poland - October 7-18, 2023

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 44 travelers on this amazing 12-day/10-night all-encompassing pilgrimage tour of Poland that uncovered the country’s poignant past and engaging present. The group toured the thriving capital city of Warsaw, reborn after World War II.   Visited the coastal city of Gdansk and the Gdansk shipyard the birthplace of Solidarity that led to the fall of communism.  Traveled the rails from Gdansk to Wroclaw, the city of Gnomes.  Beheld the Black Madonna while visiting the Jasna Góra Monastery.  Laid flowers in remembrance during a moving visit to Auschwitz, that unveiled its somber history and tragic reality. Explored Wadowice, the birthplace of Pope Saint John Paul II.  Visited Wawel Castle, the former home to the kings of Imperial Poland in Kraków.  They discovered Polish culture and food during their travels culminating at a folklore dinner and show in Kraków.  They experienced Poland and it's people at their best.

Oberammergau Passion Play, hosted by Father John Gatzak

Exploring the Alpine Countries with Oberammergau Passion Play, July 27 to August 8, 2022.

Alpine Explorer & the Glacier Express Train with Oberammergau Passion Play, September 11-22, 2022.

Sicily 2019 with Father John, October 31 to November 13, 2019

Father John hosted a group of 26 Office of Radio & Television supporters on this 14 day/12 night pilgrimage tour to the beautiful island of Sicily.  The group visited Palermo; Monreale; Erice; Cefalu; the Marsala wine region; Agrigento... and the Valley of the Temples;  the mosaics at the Villa Armerina; Savoca and the Barone Palantia estate... where scenes from The Godfather were filmed; Taormina and its Greco/Roman theatre; Mt. Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano; Messina; Catania; and Siracusa and its old town Ortigia; the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Modica and Ragusa; and much more.

Ireland 2019 with Father John, September 15-28, 2019

Father John hosted a group of 30 Office of Radio & Television supporters on this 14 day/12 night pilgrimage tour to Ireland.  The group visited:  Dublin;  Trinity College with the Book of Kells and the Long Room; St Patrick's Cathedral; the Guinness Storehouse; the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough Monastic Site; Knock Shrine; Connemara; Galway; Kylemore Abbey; enjoyed a Cliffs of Moher cruise; Kenmare and a Kenmare Bay; Blarney Castle, yes many in the group received the gift of gab; Kinsale; St. Declan's Well; Waterford Crystal; the JFK Homestead; Tintern Abbey; Hook Head Lighthouse, the Jameson Distillery and so much more.

Bella Italia 2018 with Father John, October 23 to November 5, 2018

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 42 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters and together they celebrated the Office of Radio & Television's 65 years of Bringing Good News to Life^® on a 14 day/12 night pilgrimage to Bella Italia.  The group visited Verona, Venice, but avoided the floods; Modena, where they learned about Balsamic vinegar production; Florence and Michelangelo's David, Assisi, Rome and the Vatican where the group had front row seats as Pope Francis passed in the Pope Mobile; Pompeii; Sorrento, including some very pampered water buffalo and the Greek and Roman ruins in Paestum.  They had a beautiful and sunny day for their drive along breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi coast and visit of Amalfi; and the tour culminated with a visit to beautiful Isle of Capri, fortunately the rain held out for most of the day, but they didn't quite make it back to the hydrofoil before getting drenched. Let's just say raincoats and umbrellas were not sufficient. 

Rome and Sicily 2017 with Father John, September 17-30, 2017

Father John Gatzak hosted a group of 37 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on a 14 day/12 night pilgrimage tour to the Eternal City... Rome and the beautiful island of Sicily on September 17-30, 2017.  The group visited the many historic sites of Rome including the Vatican; and in Sicily toured Palermo, with the highlight being a visit to the anchovy museum; Monreale, Erice, Cefalu, the Marsala wine region, Agrigento... and the Valley of the Temples, although the walking tour was rained out; the mosaic at the Villa Armerina, Savoca and the Barone Palantia estate... where scenes from The Godfather were filmed; Taormina and its Greco/Roman theatre; Mt. Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano which was snow capped already; Siracusa and its old town Ortigia; and the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Modica, Noto and Ragusa... And not to mention the wonderful Sicilian people, food, wine and sweet treats.

The Emerald Isle... Ireland, September 17-30, 2016

Father John Gatzak hosted 15 Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters on a 14 day/12 night pilgrimage to Ireland, September 17-30, 2016.  The groups visited:  Dublin;  Trinity College with Book of Kells and the Long Room; St Patrick’s Cathedral; Guinness Storehouse; Glendalough Visitor's Center where we learned about St. Keven; Knock Shrine; Galway Cathedral; Kylemore Abbey; Cliffs of Moher; Kenmare Smokehouse; Blarney Castle, and yes quite a few members of the group came down with the gift of gab after kissing the Blarney Stone; Jameson Experience; Waterford Crystal; JFK Homestead; Tintern Abbey and so much more.  This was a wonderful experience for all and we look forward to offering this pilgrimage in the future.

Jubilee of Mercy Pilgrimage to Italy, March 31 to April 12, 2016

Father John hosted a small group of Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporter/listeners on this special 13 day/11 night pilgrimage to Italy in celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.  The group visited many holy sites from Rome to Bari to Loreto and Assisi including:  the Eternal City... Rome and the Vatican; Pietrelcina (birthplace of Saint "Padre" Pio); San Giovanni Rotondo, where Saint Pio served, received the stigmata and died; the Trulli of Alberobello; Bari and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas; Loreto and its "Holy House"; Assisi... home of St. Francis and St. Clare; and much more.

Sunny Portugal, September 25 to October 4, 2015

Father John Gatzak hosted a small group of Office of Radio & Television and WJMJ Radio supporters/listeners that were part of an overall larger group on this 10 day/8 night tour to Sunny Portugal... Estoril Coast, Alentejo & Algarve.  The Itinerary included visits to:  Cascais, Lisbon, Jeronimo's Monastery, Sintra, Fatima, Evora, Monsaraz, Algarve, Sagres, Lagos, Faro, Azeitao, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and much more.

Bella Italia 2015, June 22 to July 5, 2015

36  joined Father John Gatzak on a fantastic 14 day/12 night classic pilgrimage tour of Italy to celebrate Father John's 40th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.  It was was 40 years ago on June 29, 1975 that Father John was ordained a priest by Blessed Pope Paul VI in Saint Peter's Square.  The itinerary included visits to:  Verona, Venice, Modena, Florence, Siena, Assisi, the Eternal City... Rome and where the group attended the Papal Mass Celebrated by Pope Francis for the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul in the Basilica of St. Peter, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, Ravello, Paestum and the Isle of Capri and much more.

Sicily 2014 with Father John, October 6-16, 2014

Father John Gatzak led your fellow Office of Radio & Television supporters and WJMJ listeners on this 11 day/9 night tour to the beautiful island of Sicily visiting Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, the Marsala wine region, Agrigento, the Villa Armerina, Savoca, Taormina with its spectacular view of Mt. Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, Messina and Reggio Calabria, Siracusa and Noto... a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Habemus Papam Pilgrimage to Italy, August 28 to September 6, 2013

Father John led your fellow television Mass viewers and WJMJ listeners on this 10 day/8 night pilgrimage to Italy in honor of Pope Francis. With visits to Rome and The Vatican, attendance at a General Audience with the new Holy Father in St. Peter's Square.  Itinerary also included visits to Assisi... home of Saint Francis, for whom the Holy Father chose his name; Florence, Siena and San Gimignano.

Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi, October 19-28, 2012

Father John Gatzak led 25 Office of Radio & Television supporters and WJMJ listeners on a 10 day/8 night pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for the canonizations of 7 blesseds, including two heroic American women... Blessed Marianne Cope and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha on Sunday, October 21, 2012. In Assisi they visited the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare, and explored this mystic medieval town and the surrounding Umbrian hill towns including Spello, Spoleto and Bevagna.

Sicily & Malta 2012, September 1-12, 2012

Father John Gatzak led 23 Office of Radio & Television supporters and WJMJ listeners on a 12 day/10 night tour to the beautiful islands of Sicily and Malta from September 1 - September 12, 2012.  In Sicily the group visited:  Palermo, Erice, the salt pans of Trapani, Agrigento, Taormina with its spectacular view of Mt. Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, Siracusa, and more.  On Malta... many historic sites some dating to prehistoric times were visited.

Bella Italia 2011, September 5-18, 2011

Father John Gatzak and your fellow Office of Radio & Television supporters and WJMJ listeners experienced a fantastic 14 day/12 night classic tour of Italy visiting Verona, Venice, Modena, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Assisi, the Eternal City... Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento and The Amalfi Coast.  Click to read a client's impression of this tour.

Bella Italia 2010, September 25 to October 7, 2010

A 13 day/11 night classic pilgrimage to Italy with Father John Gatzak that included visits to Verona, Venice, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Assisi, Pompeii, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast and the Eternal City... Rome. 

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010, July 17- 26, 2010

A 10 Day/8 Night Pilgrimage to Germany & Austria with Father John Gatzak that included the Oberammergau Passion Play performance on Thursday, July 22, 2010.

Pilgrimage to Poland with Father John Gatzak, April 24 to May 3, 2008

Father John led this group on a 10 day/8 night tour to his other homeland, Poland.  The group visited:  Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane, the Shrine of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina's tomb in Krakow, the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Auschwitz Memorial and the Wieliczka Salt Mines.

Pilgrimage to Puglia... the Land of Padre Pio with Father John, October 22-30, 2007

Father John and his fellow pilgrims experienced another wonderful 9 days and 7 nights in Rome and Southeastern Italy.  We visited Rome and the Vatican and participated in Pope Benedicts XVI's weekly General Audience.  In Puglia, we saw some of Italy’s most unspoiled scenery, fascinating artistic and historical sites, and finest beaches.  We visited Pietrelcina... the birthplace of Saint “Padre” Pio and San Giovanni Rotondo and the Basilica dedicated to Padre Pio, where we celebrated Mass at his tomb, and the new Pilgrimage Church of Saint Pio.  In Monte Sant €™Angelo we visited the grotto and Shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel.  We explored the Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We visited Trani, Polignano a Mare and Locorotondo.  We explored the cone shaped Trulli of Alberobello and experienced agritourism up close, visiting a winery and an olive oil factory, and culminating with an Italian cooking lesson.

Classic Italy in the Fall with Father John, September 24 to October 7, 2006

Father John Gatzak led another group of pilgrims on this 14 day, 12 night classic tour of Italy.  We were blessed by beautiful weather as we visited Venice for 3 days including the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello,  Next we stopped in Modena for an education in traditional Balsamic Vinegar then onto Florence and Michelangelo's David.  From Florence we visited a vineyard and winery in the Chianti region; Siena - home of Saint Catherine - where we had a special visit with one of the local Contrada.  Next up was beautiful Assisi and visits to the Basilicas of Saint Frances and Saint Clare, Patron Saint of the television Mass. From Assisi we toured to Sorrento and drove the breath taking and winding Amalfi drive to Amalfi.  Then it was on to Rome, but first we stopped in Pompeii and visited this Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.  In Rome, we attended a papal general audience with our Holy Father Benedict XVI, and the diaconate ordination of American seminarians attending the Pontifical North American College at Saint Peter's Basilica, including Michael Carlson of Prospect, CT, a seminarian from the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Lenten Pilgrimage to Rome & Lourdes with Father John, March 31 to April 10, 2006

This Lenten Pilgrimage to Rome and Lourdes with Father John Gatzak, Executive Director of the Office of Radio & Television of the Archdiocese of Hartford, began with 4 days in Rome where we participated in the events commemorating the 1st anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, including a candlelit recitation of the Rosary and the Memorial Mass in honor of John Paul II presided by Pope Benedict XVI.  Our stay in Rome concluded with a Papal audience.  Next we visited Pisa and its famous Leaning Tower, and yes everyone tried to hold it up... then on to Avignon, France and the Palace of the Popes.  Our Lenten pilgrimage concluded in Lourdes... the sanctuary and grotto, where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette. It was truly a very moving and spiritual experience for all as we prayed at the grotto, participated in the Palm Sunday liturgies and culminated with a candlelit Marian procession.

Sicily & Rome 2005 with Father John:  The Anniversary Tour, June 19 to July 1, 2005

Fr. John Gatzak, Executive Director of the Office of Radio & Television, Archdiocese of Hartford conducted another unforgettable pilgrimage, this time, in celebration of his 30th anniversary of priestly ordination on June 29, 2005.  This pilgrimage began with 8 days exploring the ancient ruins on the beautiful Island of Sicily visiting Taormina, an optional trek to Mt. Etna no eruptions this trip, Siracusa including a boat ride around the harbor... the very waters that St. Paul sailed, Solarino... where Father John celebrated Mass with his cousins, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Erice, Saline, Monreale and Palermo.  We concluded the pilgrimage with 3 days in the Eternal City, Rome, the highlights being the Papal Mass and Imposition of the Pallium with our new Holy Father, Benedict XVI in the Basilica of St. Peter; visiting and praying at the tomb of Pope John Paul II and celebrating Father John's Anniversary Mass in the Basilica at the Catacombs of Priscilla.

Italy 2004: The Pallium Tour with Father John, June 24 to July 6, 2004

Father John planned this pilgrimage to celebrate the Archdiocese of Hartford's new Archbishop, Henry J. Mansell, on the occasion of his receiving the pallium from our Holy Father John Paul II on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, 2004.  This pilgrimage began with 2 days in Assisi where we enjoyed the local Festa delle Campanelle, then we spent 4 days in Rome, the highlight being the Pallium Ceremony and a General Audience with the Holy Father.  From Rome we journeyed south for 5 glorious, sun-filled days in and around Sorrento, including visits to Naples, Amalfi, an optional excursion to Capri, Ravello, Paestum and a Buffalo Mozzarella farm factory.

Italy 2003 with Father John, October 11-24, 2003

This pilgrimage was in celebration of the Office of Radio & Television's Golden Jubilee with an added bonus.  It included Lake Como, Florence, Assisi, Rome for the Beatification of Mother Teresa (now Saint Teresa of Calcutta) by our Holy Father John Paul II on October 19, 2003, and San Giovanni Rotondo to visit the Basilica and birthplace of Saint "Padre" Pio of Pietrelcina.

Crossroads Pilgrimage 2002 to Italy with Father John, October 25 to November 7, 2002

This pilgrimage included the beautiful island of Sicily with visits to Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa, and Taormina with its view of the erupting Mt. Etna, and Rome and a general audience with our Holy Father John Paul II.

Pilgrimage to Italy, October 27 to November 6, 2001

This pilgrimage was almost another casualty of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.  However, from an initial group size of 35, Father John led 20 brave and hearty pilgrims, including a first-time flyer, to Italy where they prayed and remembered the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the Eternal City of Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, the Isle of Capri, Assisi, Venice and Milan.

Great Jubilee Year 2000 Pilgrimage to Rome, June 26 to July 3, 2000

In honor of the Great Jubilee Year 2000 and Father John's 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary, he led his first, but not his last, pilgrimage group to Rome, Siena, Florence and Assisi.  It included a Papal General Audience with Pope (now Saint) John Paul II and a special Mass in Saint Peter's Square on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th (Father John's anniversary) celebrated by the Holy Father.