Embark on a transformative spiritual journey from Međugorje to the stunning Dalmatian coastline of Croatia, where you will spend five nights in a centuries-old monastery on the serene island of Badija. Dr. Gavin Ashenden will lead the retreat in the morning. Gavin is a Catholic convert from the Anglican tradition. Formerly an Anglican priest, he served as Honorary Chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II of England. Fr. Jacob Jose will lead the afternoon portion and celebrate daily Mass during our stay on the island of Badija. He is a Vincentian missionary priest from India who has preached retreats internationally, served at Knock Shrine, studied in Rome, and spent several years as Assistant Director of the Divine Retreat Centre in Kerala.

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 six 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 four 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.

RETREAT LEADERS

Gavin Ashenden is a Catholic convert from the Anglican tradition. Formerly an Anglican priest, he served as Honorary Chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II of England from 2008 until his resignation in 2017—a decisive period that led him to reflect deeply on faith, authority, and ultimately his journey into the Catholic Church.

Following his parish ministry, Dr. Ashenden spent more than two decades in academic life at the University of Sussex, where he served as a senior lecturer and chaplain. His scholarly work focused on literature, theology, and the psychology of religion, with a particular interest in how Christian faith shapes culture and the moral imagination.

Alongside his academic work, Dr. Ashenden became a familiar public voice through his contributions to the BBC, including Faith & Ethics programs and podcasts. He also served for many years on the General Synod of the Church of England and held a canonry at Chichester Cathedral, engaging deeply in the theological and pastoral life of the Church during a period of significant cultural change.

In 2019, after a prolonged period of prayer, study, and discernment, Dr. Ashenden was received into the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, he has written and spoken widely on Christianity, culture, conscience, and the challenges facing the Church and Western society today. He serves as an associate editor of the Catholic Herald and is a frequent contributor to Catholic publications and conferences in the UK and internationally.

Dr. Ashenden brings to pilgrims a rare combination of pastoral sensitivity, intellectual depth, and lived ecclesial experience, offering reflections shaped by scholarship, public service, and personal conversion.

Father Sanu (Jacob) Jose, V.C. is a Vincentian missionary priest from India and a member of the Vincentian Congregation (V.C.), a religious congregation founded in Kerala in 1904 and inspired by the missionary spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.

Following his priestly formation, Father Jacob Jose was assigned to a series of pastoral roles that shaped his ministry of preaching and spiritual accompaniment. He traveled to the United Kingdom to preach retreats and later spent a month serving at Knock Shrine, an experience he describes as a time of grace and renewal.

Upon returning to Kerala, India, Father Jacob Jose was appointed Assistant Director of the Divine Retreat Centre in Potta, where he served for several years, preaching retreats and supporting the Centre’s mission of helping the faithful draw closer to Jesus through prayer, healing, and spiritual renewal. He also served in retreat ministry at Tabor Ashram.

Rooted in the Vincentian charism and formed through years of retreat, preaching, and pastoral service, Father Jacob Jose brings to this pilgrimage a deep love for the Church, a heart shaped by missionary experience, and a commitment to leading souls closer to Christ.

Pilgrimage Highlights

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

• Four nights of pilgrimage and prayer in Medjugorje

• Morning retreat conferences led by Gavin Ashenden

• Daily Mass and spiritual reflections celebrated by Father Jacob Jose

• 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 centered on Christ and Marian devotion

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 Hope: Private Island Retreat & Medjugorje - Gavin Ashenden Pilgrimage.

Arrival Information:

• Airport: St. Jerome Airport (SPU)

• Date: Sunday June 7, 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, June 17, 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 Sunday, February 15, 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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 Gavin Ashenden and Fr. Jacob Jose.

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 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