You will be immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of India. The trip begins with an explosion of the senses. We’ll visit the places that make India distinct and beautiful, like the majestic Taj Mahal, the royal Palaces of Jaipur, and the historic monuments of New Delhi. We will ride trains, tuk tuks, and elephants too!

This is NOT a mission trip, staying at hostels, walking a lot, spending most of the time volunteering, etc. In addition to visiting the following holy sites, the pilgrims will experience India in an incredible way – with special cultural shows, amazing local boat rides, staying at unique 4/5 star hotels, etc.

We will visit the home of Mother Teresa, attend mass at her tomb, witness (/volunteer at) the work of the Missionaries of Charity. We will also take time for a pilgrimage to South India.  St. Thomas the Apostle built the earliest Christian churches in Kerala. Tracing his footsteps, we will visit some of those churches, experience Eastern rite Catholic Mass, pray and retreat on a houseboat, and unpack our experiences of the trip together.

Finally, we will immerse ourselves in Portuguese culture in Goa.  Five centuries ago St. Francis Xavier reintroduced Catholicism which later spread to all corners of the nation.  His incorrupt body is still at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa and we will be there to witness the miracle.

We will visit the home of Mother Teresa, attend daily mass at her tomb, and serve the poorest of the poor alongside her sisters, the Missionaries of Charity. Our service to the orphaned babies, children with special needs, and the dying homeless will take us into the heart of need in Calcutta — the surrounding slums.

Every weekend you’ll have the option to go on pilgrimages and sightseeing:

1. KERALA: St. Thomas the Apostle built the earliest Christian churches in Kerala. Tracing his footsteps, we will visit some of those churches, experience Eastern rite Catholic Mass, pray and retreat on a houseboat, and unpack our experiences of the trip together.

2. GOLDEN TRIANGLE: We’ll visit the places that make India distinct and beautiful, like the majestic Taj Mahal, the royal Palaces of Jaipur, and the historic monuments of New Delhi. We will ride elephants and camels too.

3. CHENNAI: In the South, we will visit the place where St. Thomas was martyred and attend Mass at his Tomb. From there we’ll take a trip to Velankanni, a place of Marian apparition. With over 5M visitors every year, it is the most visited pilgrimage centers in South Asia. People call it, the Lourdes of the East.

4. GOA: We will immerse ourselves in Portuguese culture in Goa. Five centuries ago St. Francis Xavier reintroduced Catholicism which later spread to all corners of the nation. His incorrupt body is still at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Goa is also known for its beaches.

5. DARJEELING: This beautiful hill town with hanging tea plantations is sandwiched between Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. In addition to visiting the school where Mother Teresa once taught, you get to also discover beautiful Churches, Buddhist monasteries, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. If the skies are clear, you get to peek at Mt Everest as well.

6. VARANASI: This is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, and one of the holiest for the Hindus. Pilgrims come to the Ganges to wash away sins in the sacred waters, to cremate their loved ones, or simply to die, hoping for liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The so-called City of Lights is one of the most colorful and fascinating places on earth.

No matter which trip you take or you simply stay in Calcutta the whole time, you will still be immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of India. It will be an explosion of the senses. Plus you get to ride trains, city buses, tuk tuks, and rickshaws too!