America Media Canada – June 2026

Pilgrimage to Canada

Trip Date:
Jun 5, 2026
- Jun 10, 2026
Group Type
Open
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From $4,299
Deposit $500
Hosted by
America Media

Trip Overview

New France, New Church

A Jesuit Pilgrimage to Québec, Mother See of North America

Join America Media and the Jesuits of Quebec City with Verso Ministries on pilgrimage for an immersion into the heritage of the early Church in North America. Moving martyrs’ shrines, stunning cathedrals, and encounter with the heart of French Canadian culture will not only bring the history of the Church, and the Jesuit’s role in it, to life, but also illustrate the ways God continues to work through the enduring legacy of these saints and stories.

This specialized itinerary features an optional extension to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs in Auriesville, NY, where three Jesuit missionaries were martyred in the seventeenth century. Featuring daily Mass and spiritual reflection opportunities, this pilgrimage will leave you renewed and inspired by God’s presence among us.

What’s Included?

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director traveling with the group
  • Transportation on a private motorcoach, including driver gratuities
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single rooms available on a limited basis; triple or quad-occupancy for families also available)
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
  • Audio headset for each pilgrim
  • Verso pilgrimage booklets and pilgrim kits
  • Preparation and follow-up materials
  • Pack & Prep Meeting for all pilgrims to review itinerary, activities, logistical arrangements, and spiritual preparations

Itinerary

June 5, 2026
  • Depart from your home city in the U.S.
  • Arrive at the Québec City airport (YQB) and transfer on your own to the hotel for check-in (hotel check-in available at 3 p.m.)
  • The pilgrimage will begin this evening at 5 p.m. in the hotel lobby
  • Opening Mass at the Chapelle des jésuites
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • After dinner, gather again at Chapelle des jésuites for an opening talk with time for prayer and introductions
  • Overnight in Quebec City

Accommodations: Hilton Québec City

Meals Included: Dinner

June 6, 2026
  • Enjoy a full day pilgrimage with Pèlerinages Vieux-Québec, exploring the historic heart of Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walking in the footsteps of the First Founders of the Catholic Church in North America
  • Visit key pilgrimage sites such as the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, the Centre Marie-de-l’Incarnation, the Centre Catherine-de-Saint-Augustin, the Jesuit Chapel, and the François-de-Laval Animation Center
  • Pray at the tombs and relics of saints such as Saint Marie de l’Incarnation (foundress of the Ursulines monastery),
    Saint François de Laval (first bishop of Quebec), and Blessed Marie-Catherine de Saint-Augustin (Augustine nun
    who cared for the sick, poor, and dying), and finish at the Chapelle des jésuites with the Canadian Martyrs (Saint Antoine Daniel)
  • Before dinner as a group, Mass and spiritual conversation at Chapelle des jésuites
  • Overnight in Québec City

Accommodations: Hilton Québec City

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

June 7, 2026
  • Morning Mass and visit to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, the oldest pilgrimage site in North America and healing shrine under the patronage of St. Anne
  • Drive back to Québec City, stopping at Montmorency Falls on the way (if time allows)
  • After free time for lunch, visit to Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation Church, site of the Wendat-Huron mission dedicated to Our Lady of Loretto by the survivors of Sainte Marie among the Hurons in Ontario, and to la Maison des jésuites, first residence of the Jesuit missionaries to New France
  • Free evening to explore the city and enjoy dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Québec City

Accommodations: Hilton Québec City

Meals Included: Breakfast

June 8, 2026
  • In the morning, check out of the hotel and board the bus to transfer to Montréal
  • Stop in Trois-Rivières and visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap, Canada’s national Marian shrine and the second largest in North America, dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape
  • After free time for lunch, continue to Montréal
  • Check into the hotel and have free time to grab dinner before the evening activities
  • This evening, Mass and spiritual conversation at the Gesù Church, a Jesuit landmark known for its rich artistic heritage, inspiring sacred architecture, and vibrant cultural performances
  • Overnight in Montreal

Accommodations: Delta Hotel Montréal

Meals Included: Breakfast

June 9, 2026
  • Morning tour and visit to St. Joseph’s Oratory, a pilgrimage site of healing dedicated to St. Joseph, including the tomb of St. Andre Bessette, the “Miracle Man of Montréal”
  • Continue to Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours chapel and the Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys museum and burial site (for a taste of the founding spiritual vision of the city of Montreal, “City of Mary”). This is also the burial site of Montreal’s locally born anchoress and mystic, Jeanne le Ber, a revered 17th-century Montréal figure who lived a life of deep prayer, simplicity, and generosity.
  • Enjoy free time for lunch in the Old City
  • After lunch, drive over to the Saint Francis-Xavier Mission with the tomb of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first indigenous saint of North America, whose life of holiness was deeply shaped in spiritual conversation with the Jesuit missionaries
  • Visit the Mission Museum and meet with a local, indigenous Catholic leader
  • Share graces from the pilgrimage during reflection time at the church, followed by Mass
  • Conclude with a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Montréal

Accommodations: Delta Hotel Montréal

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

June 10, 2026
  • Transfer on your own to the Montréal airport and depart
  • OR continue to the optional extension to Auriesville, New York

Meals Included: Breakfast

June 10, 2026
  • After breakfast at the hotel, board the bus to transfer to Auriesville
  • Cross the border back into the United States
  • Transfer to the hotel and check in
  • Evening reflection and prayer, followed by dinner
  • Overnight in Auriesville

Accommodations: Doubletree by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, The Landing, or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

June 11, 2026
  • Conclude the journey with a retreat day at Auriesville, including reflections on the significance of Auriesville (which is also the birthplace of St Kateri Tekakwitha), the legacy of the Jesuit martyr-missionaries, and all that has been witnessed and explored throughout the pilgrimage
  • Celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, dedicated to the Jesuit martyrs
  • Enjoy a tour of the Shrine, with time to pray at the ravine where the North American Martyrs were killed
  • Eat lunch as a group in the Visitor’s Center, followed by an afternoon of prayer and reflection
    • Explore the Saints of Auriesville Museum or pray in the Martyrs Chapel or the Jesuit Cemetery
  • Closing Dinner as a group
  • Overnight in Auriesville

Accommodations: Doubletree by Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, The Landing, or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs
June 12, 2026
  • Transfer to Albany airport and depart for home
    • One transfer will be made to the airport at 7 a.m. (arriving to the airport by approximately 8 a.m.). Please schedule all flights to depart from Albany anytime after 10 a.m.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Four-Star Accommodations

Pricing

Package Cost
$4,299

Optional Add-ons

Auriesville Extension
$1,255 / person
Single room supplement (Core Itinerary)
$755 / person
Single room supplement (Extension)
$225 / person
Travel protection
*Quote emailed after booking

Listed pricing is land-only.

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare. The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited. Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

*Travel protection is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Note: Travelers that are U.S. citizens will need a passport to enter Canada. No visa is required. For pilgrims that are citizens of other countries, please check the requirements for your country.

Led by

Editor in Chief of America Media
Fr. Sam Sawyer, S.J.
New York, NY
Sam Sawyer, S.J., serves as president and the 15th editor in chief at America Media. Prior to his appointment as editor in chief, he led America Media’s digital strategy and also served for several years as the superior of the America House Jesuit Community. Before working at America Media, he served as an associate pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Washington, DC, after being ordained a priest in 2014. During his theology studies, he helped to found The Jesuit Post and served as one of its first editors. During his Jesuit formation, Father Sawyer studied philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and theology at Boston College; he also taught philosophy for two years at Loyola University Maryland. Before entering the Society of Jesus, he worked as a software engineer after graduating from Boston College and spending a year as a volunteer middle school teacher.
Member of Board of Directors for America Media
Fr. Gilles Mongeau, S.J.
Quebéc City, QC
Fr. Gilles, a member of America Media’s board of directors, was born in Montreal and raised in Ottawa. He has been a Jesuit for 40 years, and a priest for 28 years, and is a member of the Canadian province. From 2003 to 2018, he taught systematic and pastoral theology at Regis College. His areas of expertise are the systematic theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the spiritual theology of Saint Ignatius Loyola, as well as Ignatian communal discernment. Until 2018 he was also superior of the First Studies community of Cardoner House in Toronto. Fr. Gilles has worked in parishes, hospital chaplaincies, ministry to LGBTQ Catholics, and in various spiritual ministries. He was co-founder of the Service for Discernment in Common of the Canadian Jesuits. He was socius and formation assistant for the Jesuits of Canada from 2018 to 2025. Since August 2025, he is a member of the team at Centre Manrèse in Quebec City, an urban spirituality centre offering the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life.

Flights

Pilgrims are responsible for booking their own flights to/from the pilgrimage using the information below regarding airports and designated arrival/departure times.

  • Arrive by: June 5, 2025
  • Arrival time: 3:00 P.M.
  • Arrival airport: Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will transfer to the hotel on their own via taxi or public transportation.
  • Depart on: June 10, 2026
  • Departure time: Any time on June 10
  • Departure airport: Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will transfer to the airport on their own via taxi or public transportation.
  • Depart on: June 12, 2026
  • Departure time: Depart at or after 10:00 A.M.
  • Departure airport: Albany International Airport (ALB)
  • Departure transfer: One transfer will be made to the airport at 7 a.m. (arriving to the airport by approximately 8 a.m.).

More Details

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Airport/hotel transfers in Québec City or Montreal
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Mass donations
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 90 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.
Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of November 2025. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact final pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.
Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.
• Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
• 14 days after deposit and 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
• 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
• 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
• 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Extension Inclusions

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director traveling with the group
  • Transportation on a private motorcoach, including driver gratuities
    • One transfer from the hotel to Albany International Airport on departure day
  • Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single rooms available on a limited basis; triple or quad-occupancy for families also available)
  • Meals as indicated on itinerary
  • Opportunity for daily Mass
  • Tickets for included activities
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
  • Audio headset for each pilgrim

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
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How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
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Who can I contact for more information?

Our team is eager to help and is available 9am-5pm EST by phone at 574-383-9396 or by email at hello@versoministries.com
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Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

Pilgrims stand outside St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

The Most Inspiring Catholic Pilgrimage Sites You Should Visit

A journal with pen and flower laid on top.

5 Ways to Pray Before and During your Pilgrimage

Finding St. Joseph in Your Own Fatherhood

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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