Embark on a transformative spiritual pilgrimage from the stunning Dalmatian coastline of Croatia to Međugorje. This pilgrimage includes five nights in a centuries-old Franciscan monastery on the serene island of Badija, followed by five nights of prayer and pilgrimage in Medjugorje. Fr. Stash Dailey will lead this pilgrimage and will celebrate daily Mass and offer spiritual reflections during our retreat on the island of Badija. This is a true immersion experience—unrepeatable and unforgettable, both informative and transformative.

Our pilgrimage begins on the private island of Badija. Upon arrival in Split, we will travel to the Island of Badija by private coach and boat.

During our five nights on Badija, pilgrims will be immersed in the island’s lush Mediterranean landscape, with pine and olive trees overlooking the Adriatic Sea. At the heart of the island stands a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, offering a spiritual haven amid pebble beaches, secluded coves, and winding paths ideal for contemplation and quiet exploration. After sunset, the island is inhabited only by those staying at the monastery, fostering a rare atmosphere of peace and recollection.

Pilgrims will have ample time for personal prayer and reflection, both within the monastery and while exploring the island independently. Afternoons offer opportunities to swim in the crystalline waters of the Adriatic or enjoy quiet moments at a seaside café, encouraging rest, reflection, and fellowship.

After morning Mass on our final day on Badija, we will travel directly from the island to Medjugorje, where we will spend five nights. Međugorje, a peaceful village in Bosnia-Herzegovina, has drawn millions of pilgrims since the Blessed Virgin Mary began appearing there on June 25, 1981, and is often called the “confessional of the world.”

While in Medjugorje, we will participate in English Mass at St. James Church, join the evening prayer program with Adoration and the Rosary, and visit cherished pilgrimage sites including the Risen Christ statue, the Chapel of St. Sharbel, and Apparition Hill, where Our Lady first appeared. Pilgrims who prefer not to climb may spend time in prayer at the Blue Cross below the hill. We will also make a pilgrimage to Cross Mountain (Mount Krizevac), crowned with the great cross raised in 1933 in honor of the Passion of Christ.

Throughout our stay in Medjugorje, there will be opportunities for confession, quiet reflection, and shared meals at our hotel. A knowledgeable local Catholic guide will provide the daily schedule each evening, allowing the pilgrimage to unfold peacefully and prayerfully, and helping us make the most of the spiritual opportunities available each day.

The pilgrim path from the Island of Badija to Medjugorje offers a rare blend of solitude, contemplation, and Marian devotion—a true “Heaven on Earth” retreat pilgrimage, peaceful and unhurried, centered on Christ, and inviting each pilgrim to listen, pray, and be renewed.

Father Stash Dailey is a Catholic priest serving in Ohio, known for his reverent celebration of the Holy Mass, deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and a priestly ministry rooted in prayer, silence, and fidelity to the Church. As a retreat master and spiritual guide, he frequently teaches on the mystical visions of St. Bridget of Sweden, drawing pilgrims into a deeper contemplation of Christ’s Passion, the interior life of prayer, and the Church’s mystical tradition.

Father Dailey has been closely involved in supporting the spiritual life and mission of the Bridgettine Sisters in Ohio, particularly in their efforts to establish a chapel that will serve as the heart of their convent—a place of Adoration, prayer, and healing silence. His priestly ministry reflects a conviction that authentic renewal begins before the Lord, present in the Holy Eucharist.

As a retreat leader and spiritual guide, Father Dailey invites pilgrims to step away from the noise of daily life and enter more deeply into prayer and attentiveness to God’s presence. Those who encounter his ministry often remark on its quiet depth, pastoral clarity, and unwavering focus on leading souls to Christ through the sacramental life of the Church.

Pilgrimage Highlights

• Five-night private island retreat at a historic Franciscan monastery on the Island of Badija

• Five nights of pilgrimage and prayer in Medjugorje

• 2 Sisters of St. Bridget will join this pilgrimage

• Morning retreat conferences led by Fr. Stash Dailey

• Daily Mass and spiritual reflections celebrated by Fr. Stash Dailey

• Time set aside for personal prayer, silence, and reflection

• Participation in the evening prayer program at St. James Church in Medjugorje

• Visits to key Medjugorje pilgrimage sites, including Apparition Hill, Cross Mountain, and the Blue Cross

• Catholic guides in Medjugorje providing daily guidance and schedules

• Travel by private coach and boat to and from the Island of Badija

• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included

• A peaceful, unhurried retreat-style pilgrimage

PLEASE NOTE:  $500 Donation Requirement 

As part of this Pilgrimage cost, a donation of $500 per person is required. The pilgrimage cost has been intentionally structured so the required donation does not increase the overall expense. The required $500 donation directly supports the Bridgettine Sisters in Ohio in their efforts to build a dedicated chapel for prayer, worship, and community life. Please note that this donation is in addition to the cost of the pilgrimage.  

To complete your registration, the $500 donation must be received within five (5) business days of your initial booking. If the donation is not received within this period, your initial booking will be cancelled.

 A link for making your tax-deductible donation will be provided in the Welcome Letter you receive upon registration. You will receive a tax receipt for this donation following the conclusion of the pilgrimage. 

About the Chapel the Donation Supports

The chapel will be the heart and center of the Convent of St. Birgitta. Once it is finished, the Sisters will gather throughout the day to sing the psalms of the Old Testament, pray the Holy Rosary, Adore the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and come together to celebrate the Holy Mass.

The Blessed Sacrament will be reserved and Adored, and the chapel will be intentionally designed as a quiet and intimate space of prayer. Outside of liturgical celebrations, it will remain a place of silence—where those who are weary, burdened, or searching for rest may encounter the healing and renewing presence of Jesus.

This chapel is not intended to function as a parish church, but rather as a small sanctuary of contemplation, offering a sacred refuge where hearts may rest in stillness before the Lord.

By participating in this pilgrimage, you are helping to sustain the Sisters’ religious vocation and contribute to the creation of a lasting place of prayer that will serve the Church for generations to come.

This pilgrimage is offered as a Land Only Package. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own air travel for the Rooted in Faith: Private Island Retreat with Roy Schoeman and Medjugorie Pilgrimage.

Arrival Information:

• Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU)

• Date: Sunday June 21, 2026 (Day 1 of the pilgrimage)

• Flight Arrival Time: Before 1:00 PM (Local Time). This arrival time allows approximately 1/2 hour to retrieve baggage before the group transfer.

• Transfer: A group transfer will depart at 1:30 PM from the airport to the port at Orebić, followed by a private boat transport to the Island of Badija. Participants must arrive in time to join this scheduled group transfer.

  
  If a Participant misses the group transfer, they will be responsible for arranging and covering the cost of transportation to the island, either the same day or the following day. While ITVP may provide general guidance when possible, ITVP staff and the group will depart as scheduled, and the group transfer will not be delayed due to flight delays.

If you choose to arrive early, please contact our office for the recommended hotel for early arrival. On Day 1, the group transfer will pick up participants from this hotel, along with the group pick-up at the airport.  Please note that if you arrive one day early, the cost of the hotel and the transfer from the airport will be the participant's financial responsibility. If you require assistance with this transfer, please let us know, and we will be happy to help coordinate it. 

Departure Information: 

• Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU)

• Date: Wednesday July 1, 2026 (Day 11 of the pilgrimage)

• Flight Departure Time: After 7:00 AM (Local Time)

• Transfer:  Group transfer from the hotel in Medjugorie to the airport 

Recommended Travel Agency:  For booking flights, we recommend using an experienced travel agency. They will handle your airline reservations and forward the details to our office, ensuring a seamless process. You will receive the contact information for Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages' recommended seasoned travel agent in your Welcome Letter, which is sent immediately after you register for the pilgrimage.

If you would like to get an idea of the cost and availability of flights, we suggest checking Google Flights as a helpful and simple tool for initial research.

With more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine, we have colleagues and friends all over the world — and many of them have become part of our Pilgrimage family.

Designing an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage begins with a theme or a particular country; then we weave in encounters with real people who live and work there, as well as those with expert knowledge in its historical and spiritual perspectives. Each day includes the opportunity to attend Mass.

Our itineraries encompass both world-renowned and lesser-known destinations, and every detail is meticulously arranged to create a truly unique experience; we do not offer cookie-cutter pilgrimages. Our pilgrims appreciate that our groups average around 20 pilgrims, allowing for a more personal and prayerful experience. For custom pilgrimages, we may exceed this number.

On our Badija pilgrimages, this number may be slightly higher due to the unique nature of the retreat setting, as well as our commitment to supporting the Franciscan monastery by filling the available guest rooms.

Crafting an Inside the Vatican pilgrimage is about knowing firsthand what makes a place extraordinary and knowing personally the people of the land—relationships formed through more than 33 years of publishing Inside the Vatican magazine and covering the universal Church. It is about understanding how best to experience each place and then refining the countless details, moments, and encounters—both planned and spontaneous. This thoughtful approach creates the kind of boutique pilgrimage experience that cannot be mass produced—an experience shaped with care, a flexible pace, and strong local connections. These are just a few of the reasons why many pilgrims return to join us again and again.

Contact Information:

Phone: +1.202.536.4555  Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET.

Email: Pilgrimages@InsideTheVatican.com. 

WhatsApp: +1.540.631.4392

Before you book your trip with us, please read carefully our Terms and Conditions.

Use EARLY when you register on or before Saturday, February 28, 2026 to receive a $150.00 discount. Contact us to inquire about any applicable discounts.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Father Stash Dailey.

 There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a three-mile easy walk), visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Dinner Included.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Father Stash Dailey.

 There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a three-mile easy walk), visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Father Stash Dailey.

 There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a three-mile easy walk), visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Father Stash Dailey.

 There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a three-mile easy walk), visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Our days on the Island of Badija will be filled with Mass, Adoration, prayer time, and retreat talks led by Father Stash Dailey.

 There will also be opportunities for swimming, leisurely walks around the Island of Badija (a three-mile easy walk), visit to the nearby island of Korčula, and time for personal prayer and reflection.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Following breakfast and morning Mass, we will depart by private boat to the mainland, where we will meet our private coach and continue to our hotel in Medjugorie.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

After breakfast at our hotel, you'll have the opportunity to attend English Mass at St. James Church. We will then gather for lunch, followed by a free afternoon

Later, you will have the chance to join the local community and fellow pilgrims in the daily evening prayer program at St. James, which includes confession and the rosary. Afterward, dinner at our hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

After a delightful breakfast at our hotel, you'll have the opportunity to attend English Mass at St. James Church, followed by a guided tour of the St. James area, including the Risen Christ statue and the Chapel of St. Sharbel.

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to go up Apparition Hill, the site of Our Lady’s first appearance, where we will pray the rosary together. Those who prefer not to climb may remain at the Blue Cross, a site where Mary appeared many times.

Later, you will have the chance to join the local community and fellow pilgrims in the daily evening prayer program at St. James, which includes confession and the rosary.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

The morning will start with breakfast then English Mass at St. James and free time. 

After lunch, we will depart for Cross Mountain., Mount Krizevac.

The Cross on Mt. Krizevac overlooks the village of Medjugorje.  It was revealed to be a part of God’s plan for Medjugorje and for the world.  Our Lady said on November 3, 1981, that She prays there often.

“I am often at Krizevac, at the foot of the cross, to pray there.”

Krizevac” means “Mount of the Cross.” It is the highest mountain in the area. In 1933, the parish of St. James erected a large concrete cross to commemorate the 1900th Anniversary of Jesus’ passion and death on the Cross. During construction of the 16 ton cross, the parishioners carried up all of the materials, cement, sand, water, tools, etc., in memory of Christ’s way of the Cross. 

Later in the afternoon, we will return to town, where you can take part in the evening prayer program at St. James, which includes confession, the rosary, and adoration. Afterward, enjoy another wonderful dinner at our hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

After breakfast at our hotel, you'll have the opportunity to attend English Mass at St. James Church. We will then gather for lunch, followed by a free afternoon

Later, you will have the chance to join the local community and fellow pilgrims in the daily evening prayer program at St. James, which includes confession and the rosary. Afterward, enjoy our final dinner at our hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

After breakfast, early morning transfers will take you to the airport for your departure home.

Arrivederci, fellow pilgrims—until we meet again!

Breakfast Included