"Every pilgrim has a destination, even if at times he is not explicitly aware of it."
- Pope Benedict XVI
- Pope Benedict XVI
The Pilgrim's Pilgrim
Mir Pilgrimages was founded in 2002 seven years after a New Zealand pilgrim travelled in 1995 to the marian apparition site of Medjugorje in Bosnia/Hercegovina.
That pilgrim, Patricia, was drawn back on pilgrimage many times since that first visit and rarely encountered other New Zealanders on pilgrimage. Those she did meet, had booked and travelled with foreign pilgrimage companies as she had.
Pilgrims returned home, desiring to speak of their amazing, and sometimes miraculous, encounters, but to whom? Theirs was a voice crying out in the wilderness. This inspired Patricia to respond to a call to organise New Zealand-led pilgrimages so that kiwi pilgrims could have a sharing of experiences. Mir Pilgrimages was founded.
"Depart on pilgrimage...return with Mir."
'Mir' is the slavic word for 'Peace.' It has special significance to Patricia as a pilgrim and to the people of the Baltic regions.
Patricia knows first-hand the importance of undertaking pilgrimage and recognises the special graces granted to pilgrims who answer the call. To date, she leads small groups into central and eastern Europe and the Holy Land.
In addition to pilgrimage, Mir Pilgrimages also offers Road Retreats™ - christian-based coach journeys throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand visiting cathedrals, churches, religious monastic orders, schools, places of art and culture, historical sites and lay apostolates. The pilgrimage experience is now within reach of all!
In keeping with the spirit of pilgrimage, a Mir Pilgrimage is accompanied by a chaplain whenever possible. Family pansions, monasteries, convents and retreat houses are desired choices of accommodations at holy sites and shrines where possible.
