Holy Spirits Pilgrimage

A Weekend on the Bourbon Trail With Roundabout Catholic

January 24 - 26, 2025
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About

Join Roundabout Catholic and Verso Ministries on a weekend pilgrimage to the holy lands and Bourbon Trail of Bardstown, Kentucky. Journey alongside other young adults as you spend time in prayer and fellowship while immersed in the Catholic heritage of Bardstown, including visits to the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton lived, and the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, the original Cathedral for the Diocese of Bardstown. Along the way, you’ll experience the rich Bourbon Trail culture through historical tours and exclusive tastings at some of the Trail’s most famous distilleries.

Trip Details

Group Type

Open to All, Hosted by Roundabout Catholic

Activity Level

Easy

Length

3 days, 2 nights

Accommodations

Simple

Cost

As low as

$448

Deposit:

$200

What's Included

Accommodations in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms (single rooms available on limited basis)
Tickets for two distillery tours
Meals as indicated on the itinerary (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners)
Arrangement for daily Mass
Logistical and spiritual preparation and follow up resources

Itinerary

January 24
Welcome to Bardstown
  • Arrive to accommodations at 2 p.m. for check-in
  • Pilgrimage officially begins at 2:30 p.m.
  • Distillery Tour #1 – Barton 1792 Distillery or similar
  • Visit and Mass at St. Thomas Church, an important site for Catholicism in Bardstown as it was the first home of Bishop Flaget, the first bishop of Bardstown
  • Group dinner in Bardstown
  • Overnight in Bardstown
  • Meals included: Dinner
  • Accommodations: Nazareth Retreat Center
  • Meals included: Dinner
January 25
Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, Abbey of Gethsemani
  • Mass at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, the original Cathedral for the Diocese of Bardstown
  • Visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani, the Trappist monastery where Thomas Merton lived and is buried, including a visit with Brother Gregory (pending availability), one of the Trappist Monks
  • Pray with the monks during mid-day prayer
  • Distillery Tour #2 – Maker’s Mark or similar
  • Overnight in Bardstown
  • Accommodations: Nazareth Retreat Center
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
January 26
Closing Mass, Departure
  • Morning Mass at the Abbey of Gethsemani
  • Depart for home
  • Meals included: Breakfast
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Led by

Group LeaderChaplain
Julia Eckrich
Noblesville, IN

Julia Eckrich is honored to serve as the director of youth and young adult ministry at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Noblesville and has devoted the last decade to working for the Church. Julia loves to accompany people who are curious about and hungry for truth in the Catholic faith. She’s married to the love of her life, Andrew, and together they love traveling, singing and playing music, teaching their dalmatian tricks, and being foster parents to children in need. When not at work, you can catch Julia having life conversations over a good iced coffee, bargain shopping, or taking road trips with the windows down.

Fr. Jordan Boone
Fishers, IN

Father Jordan Boone is the Associate Pastor at St. Louis De Montfort Catholic Church in Fishers, where he has been since his ordination in 2023. Father Jordan grew up Quaker and converted to the Church following a high school football injury. His undergraduate study in history was done at Ball State University, before going on to get graduate degrees from Christendom College, Mundelein Seminary, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Father Jordan is an avid hiker, kayaker, history enthusiast, and book reader. As a descendant of Kentucky coal miners, he is also a lover of bourbon and frequently gives a presentation entitled Kentucky Cocktail: Catholics, Bourbon, and American History.

Pricing

As low as

$448

Package Cost

$448

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$215/person

Pricing listed per person in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Prior to registering, please check with your parish’s Young Adult Minister for potential additional discounts.

Roundabout Catholic will be coordinating carpools to and from Bardstown.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director
  • Ground transportation
  • Gratuities for meals or housekeeping staff (optional add-on)
  • Suggested donations to the churches
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not listed on itinerary
  • Recommended travel protection
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Simple Accommodations

  • Bardstown: Nazareth Retreat House

Payment Schedule

  • If you register on or before November 15, 2024
    • $200 deposit due at registration
    • Final balance due December 1, 2024
  • If you register on or after December 1, 2024
    • Final balance due upon registering

Cancellation Policy

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*
  • 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.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180 days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel protection. Travel protection is not only for peace of mind, but 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. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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