Month: July 2025
Written by Marissa Romero
Assisi, Italy, is home to the glorious Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, built to enclose the Portiuncula of St. Mary of the Angels, a little chapel that St. Francis, with his own hands, restored from ruins after restoring the Church of San Damiano in 1209.
St. Francis, referring to the Portiuncula of St. Mary of the Angels, once said:
Portiuncula means “The Little Portion.” St. Francis from this modest chapel sent his brother friars, two by two, on a mission of evangelization to the ends of the world.
Francis desired and prayed for all the faithful to experience God’s complete forgiveness of their sins. In 1216, through a vision while imploring Jesus with the intercession of the Queen of Angels for such immense grace, he won for the world the plenary indulgence known as the “Pardon of Assisi.”
PAINTING OF THE VISION: St. Francis saw Jesus and Mary surrounded by angels and asked the Lord for a full pardon of sins for everyone who visited the Portiuncula and made a good confession. Jesus turned to His Mother, who gave Francis a nod of approval. (Photo Credit: Marissa Romero)
Pope Honorius III, by the plea of St. Francis, confirmed this plenary indulgence traditionally imparted to anyone who visited the Portiuncula on August 2, the date when the Portiuncula was dedicated under the patronage of Our Lady of the Angels.
This indulgence was later granted to all Franciscan churches worldwide every August 2, and it is also uniquely granted at the Portiuncula every day of the year.
Furthermore, Pope Paul VI confirmed the indulgence’s permanence as the “Pardon of Assisi” in 1967.
This indulgence requires receiving the sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion. Also, the recitation of the Creed, praying for the intentions of the Pope, and the Lord’s Prayer.
Countless pilgrims from all over the world flock to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels to experience St. Francis’ Portiuncula, the birth place and epicenter of the Franciscan movement.
PORTIUNCULA’S HOME: The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, is home of St. Francis’ cherished Portiuncula of Our Lady. (Photo Credit: Marissa Romero)
Shrines of Italy Pilgrimage: www.206tours.com/tour96
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
One of the biggest mistakes we regularly see pilgrims make is that they underestimate the amount of walking necessary for a pilgrimage. Here is a practical guide to helping you prepare so that you can enjoy every aspect of your pilgrimage, including your step count!
Expectations
On average, are expected to be able to walk 3 – 4 miles without discomfort. (Walking Pilgrimages, such as the famous El Camino, will require further distances.) When visiting larger European cities, expect lots of walking 4 to 8 miles per day, or 10,000 to 16,000 steps daily isn’t uncommon. You have to count the steps not just to and from a location, but also within a museum, church or place of visit. Although this may seem daunting to some, you can easily build up your endurance and remember that your group will also be stopping to rest throughout the day. You will be stopping inside Churches, pausing for meals, and riding to your next destination on the tour bus. Some days will be more physically demanding than others. Your tour guide will work to ensure that the group is moving at an agreeable pace and trying their best to ensure that everyone’s needs are met.
Terrain Limitations
Many pilgrims become confused if we are unable to drive them to a certain location. It is important to remember that some of the sites we will be visiting are centuries old and were developed prior to cars / buses. European cities, with their historic cores, were designed long before cars, often for pedestrians, horses, and carriages. Therefore, some of the streets are too narrow to fit a tour bus. Our capable bus drivers will always bring you as close to your destination as possible and we will try to book hotels close to the city center, but we may be limited by local laws. Old city layouts can be maze-like, so navigation can be tricky. There is also the possibility of steep hills, narrow alleys, rocks, and uneven cobblestones depending on the areas your tour may be visiting. Hills can be steep, so cardio training in advance will help you. If you have any hesitations about walking in a certain terrain, please let your tour guide know as soon as possible so that they can assist you.
Pictured above left: Steep, hilly streets winding through the medieval town of Assisi.
Pictured above right: The rocky terrain covering Apparition Hill in Medjugorje.
Pictured above left: Narrow, cobblestone streets in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Pictured above right: Cobblestone streets in Rome, Italy.
Practical Tips
1. Wear good shoes.
- Blisters will ruin your Pilgrimage experience! Be sure to buy a quality pair of shoes prior to your departure and take time to “break them in” beforehand. Sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip are a must. Avoid flimsy sandals. Layer with durable socks to ensure that your feet are happy and comfortable throughout your journey.
2. Begin walking every day at home.
- It is very important to begin consistently walking every day leading up to your pilgrimage. If you are not used to walking at all, start small and work your way up. It can be helpful to try and pick a time and stick with it daily. We recommend that you be able to walk 3 – 4 miles comfortably prior to departure.
3. Get plenty of rest.
- When you arrive at your hotel room at night, try to go to bed at a reasonable time so that your body has time to recover. You will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next day.
4. Stay hydrated.
- It is very important, especially if you’re traveling during the warmer months, to drink plenty of water while on your Pilgrimage. 206 Tours will always have water bottles available on your tour bus. You can also pack a reusable one to refill and bring with you throughout the day, but make sure it will not be cumbersome to carry. We also encourage you to drink plenty of fluids at meals. Remember, coffee can dehydrate you, so focus on including plenty of water alongside your morning meal.
5. Wear good quality gear.
- Travel with a lightweight backpack, water bottle, hat, and weather-appropriate layers. You can expect unpredictable weather anywhere you are traveling. Please note that cobblestones can be slick when wet, so wearing good quality shoes will help prevent you from slipping.
6. Let your tour guide know if you need a day off.
- If you feel as though you are feeling run-down or just need a day to recover, it is perfectly fine to remain at the hotel. Please alert your tour guide as soon as possible so they know you will not be joining for the day. You will be able to rest and relax until later in the day when it is time for the group to transfer to your next destination. However, we do ask that you review the upcoming day’s itinerary prior to making your decision since you will miss out on what the group will be visiting that day if you choose to stay behind. Pace yourself and try to plan shorter days with breaks.
Importance of a “Pilgrim Mindset”
Remember that a Pilgrimage is different from a vacation. A vacation is focused on relaxation and personal enjoyment. A Pilgrimage however is a call to grow in faith and encounter God at holy sites around the world. Little inconveniences or experiencing discomfort due to physical challenges are all opportunities to grow in grace throughout your spiritual journey. While 206 Tours will strive to take care of your every need, we encourage all our pilgrims to “offer up” any small delays or discomforts. This will lead to a very rich Pilgrimage experience.
As always, our Tour Guides will be with you to help every step of the way, so please ask their assistance with anything you may need.
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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Pictured above: The pilgrimage site on Mount Zvir, Slovakia, in 2017. Palickap/wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0.
A new Marian Apparition has recently been granted a Nihil Obstat by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. According to the new guidelines for Vatican approval in the case of evaluating the authenticity of apparitions, the Nihil Obstat does not declare that the apparition was “supernatural”, but only that devotion surrounding these apparitions is not considered contrary to the faith.
These lesser-known apparitions occurred on Mount Zvir in northwestern Slovakia in a small town called Litmanova from 1990 – 1995. In August 1990, three young children, Ivetka, Katka, and Mitko, were walking through the woods when they began praying for Our Lady’s protection. They then saw a beautiful lady and recognized her as the Virgin Mary. She was wearing a white dress, a blue cloak, a veil, a crown and holding a Rosary.
The children shared what had happened with their families who did not believe them at first. The two girls, Ivetka and Katka, returned to the site of the apparition and once again saw Our Lady. Ivetka heard Our Lady say, “Dear children, I am the Immaculate Purity. God has sent me to your world, to your times with messages as never before in history. Please pray, children.”
Over the next five years, Our Lady continued to appear to the two girls and give them heavenly messages, emphasizing a call for the faithful to pray the Rosary. She repeatedly presented herself as “happy” and called the faithful to prayer and recognize that God loves them unconditionally. On August 6, 1995, Our Lady told the girls that there would be no further apparitions, but that she would always remain present on Mount Zvir.
In a letter from the Vatican regarding the apparitions, Cardinal Prefect Fernandez, acknowledges that some of the messages contain “ambiguities and unclear aspects”. However, some believe that this may be due to the visionaries own internal interpretations. The dicastery has asked that the “ambiguous statements” in these messages not be published so that the faithful will not be confused.
The local clergy have attested that many miracles and spiritual fruit have come forth because of these apparitions. The Archbishop of Presov who requested that the Nihil Obstat be granted states, “…the sincere and profound confessions in that place are countless and there is no lack of conversions as well.” During one apparition, Our Lady is said to have blessed a spring, and this spring has allegedly resulted in many miracles. These claims are still being investigated by the local diocese.
This apparition site has become an important pilgrimage site for Slovakian Catholics. The diocese in which these apparitions took place is populated by Catholics primarily of the Byzantine rite. It is expected that the Vatican’s Nihil Obstat will result in an increased number of pilgrims visiting this site.
If you are interested in organizing a Pilgrimage to the site of this new Marian Apparition, please contact our team by emailing: groups@206tours.com
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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One of the most overlooked aspects of international travel is remembering to renew your passport in time. This minor task could be the reason you have to delay traveling on a Pilgrimage, so put it at the top of your to-do list!
Many people think that renewing their passport is a long and tedious process. However, did you know you don’t have to renew your passport in-person? The US Government offers citizens the option of renewing their passport online.
First, you will need to determine whether you are eligible for online renewal. The US State Department presents a number of requirements to help you determine whether you are eligible. You must meet all these requirements in order to proceed:
- The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
- The passport you are renewing is either expiring within one year or has expired less than five years ago.
- You are not changing your name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth.
- You are not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you will submit your application. We will only offer routine service, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail.
- You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.
- You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), or Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) address.
- You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.
- You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
- You can upload a digital passport photo.
- You are aware that we will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application. You cannot use it for international travel.
If you meet all these requirements, you can continue with the online renewal process. You will begin by creating an account which will then allow you to start your application. The application will ask for info about your most recent passport as well as your upcoming travel plans. You will need to upload a digital photo (which meets passport requirements), provide an electronic signature, and pay the passport fee of $130 (subject to change) which you can learn more about here.
Once all the steps are completed and your application is submitted, you will receive email updates regarding the status of your application. If at any point more information is necessary to complete your passport renewal, you will be notified via email.
If your passport has expired, or is about to expire within 9 months, consider the online renewal option.
It takes approximately the same time of 4 to 6 weeks, but the online process is much easier than the traditional way.
Don’t let an expired passport be the reason that you delay traveling on a Pilgrimage
Interested in renewing your passport online? Click here to learn more: Renew my Passport Online
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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Looking for a unique Pilgrimage experience? Join 206 Tours on a Cruise! Enjoy the first-class features you’ve come to expect on a 206 Tours Pilgrimage as you sail aboard a stunning cruise ship. These powerful spiritual journeys will immerse you in cultural and natural beauty as you grow in your faith.
Spiritual Nourishment
As with every 206 Tours Pilgrimage, your tour will be focused on giving you every opportunity to grow in love for Our Lord. Your group will be accompanied by a priest who will celebrate daily Mass either aboard the ship or at a holy site on land at various destinations. He will also be available for spiritual direction and to lead your group in praying the Rosary. Share your spiritual journey with fellow pilgrims who are striving to grow in love for Christ and become inspired as you build life-long friendships grounded on faith.
Cultural Sights through the Lens of Faith
As your ship stops at various ports, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of unique excursions. Our professional tour guides will be there to greet you and guide you every step of the way. Learn about the lives of local Saints, pray in breathtaking churches, enjoy traditional foods, and visit famous cultural sites. Our experienced guides will bring you to the most noteworthy places in each location to ensure that you get the most out of each stop.
Disconnect from the Busyness of Daily Life
A Pilgrimage offers you the opportunity to step away from your day-to-day responsibilities and take time to dive deeper into your relationship with God. As you sail, you will feel your spirit become refreshed and renewed. Being onboard a first-class cruise ship offers a unique way to disconnect from the hectic pace of modern life. Begin your mornings sipping coffee aboard the ship deck before you join your fellow pilgrims to celebrate daily Mass. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy seeing breathtaking architecture and scenic views pass by as you sail on the water. Enjoy an evening cocktail with fellow pilgrims on the ship deck beneath the stars.
Perks of Cruise Ship Amenities
Your time aboard will include a stay in a comfortable, first-class room with a step-out balcony. One of the biggest benefits of traveling on a cruise ship is that you only have to unpack once! Rather than spending time aboard a bus, you and your fellow pilgrims will enjoy the luxury of sailing to your next destination. The cruise ship will be full of amenities you can take advantage of including a fitness center, dining options, swimming pool, and in-cabin movies. Enjoy gourmet meals and a free-flowing drink package. Share about each day’s experiences as you enjoy dinner aboard the ship with your group.
*Please note, Cruise inclusions and amenities may vary depending on your specific tour’s itinerary and cruise ship. Please consult your 206 Tours itinerary for an exact list of your Pilgrimage’s inclusions.
One-of-a-Kind Itineraries
Our Cruise Pilgrimages offer unique itineraries that are certain to impress pilgrims of all ages. Whether you prefer a river cruise in Europe, the grandeur of an Alaskan tour, or visiting multiple countries in Asia, there is something for everyone. We encourage you to visit our full directory of Cruise Pilgrimages to find the tour and travel dates that best suit your needs.
View all Cruise Pilgrimages: www.206tours.com/catholic-cruise
View Our Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages