As the story of St. Juan Diego’s encounters with Our Lady of Guadalupe unfolds, there are many twists and turns that are relatable to our own faith journey: out of fear or feelings of unworthiness, we avoid what is asked of us by the Lord, when we share our encounters with the Lord, we are sometimes not believed, and when we have encountered the sacred, we are transformed into sharers of the Gospel.

Join Jen Settle, Consecrated Virgin and Director of Ongoing Formation for the Theology of the Body Institute and Father Benjamin Lehnertz, past chaplain for TOBI courses and pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Orlando, Fla., as they lead pilgrims on a retreat into the hearts of Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Dr. Christopher West will create an exclusive pilgrim booklet for his reflections, which will explore St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body while incorporating the wisdom and insight of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Pilgrims will discover the deep significance of: what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God; why God created us male and female; how the physical union of man and woman is innately oriented toward life and love; and how this union is the essential foundation for a life-affirming society — all in the light of spiritual childhood and the Little Way of St. Thérèse.

Christopher will be joined by his wife, Wendy; Fr. Luke Farabaugh, chaplain; and Jason and Jeanette Clark, TOBI Executive Director and Faculty.

We will begin and end our journey in Paris. In between, as we sail, we'll visit Lisieux to follow in the footsteps of St. Therese and her parents Sts. Marie and Louis (the first spouses to be canonized as a couple). Other highlights include Monet's Estate in Giverny; the Normandy Beaches of World War II; Rouen, where the trial and execution of St. Joan of Arc took place; and much more.

Christopher and Wendy West, hosts of Ask Christopher West (the world's most listened to podcast on Theology of the Body), will hold a special Q&A session that may turn into an episode or two!

Pilgrims have the options to relax on the ship each day or join us for fun excursions. Upon return to the ship, we will have fantastic meals on the ship and then it's up to the top deck for some wine, conversation or prayer, all while watching the beautiful scenery go by. 

You will have plenty of free time to explore the local cuisine, social life and sites not on the itinerary but you want to visit. Or you have the option to relax back on the ship — perhaps enjoy a drink on the top deck. Our motto is Faith, Food & Fun!