Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages: Unique Retreats on the Island of Badija, Croatia

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

On the small island of Badija, off the stunning Dalmatian coast of Croatia, a 700-year-old Franciscan Monastery sits beside the Adriatic Sea. There are no other dwellings on the island. Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages invites you to join us on retreat here in June 2026. Here are the four unique retreats we have planned, each with a special charism. Further information on each pilgrimage is provided below after my letter.

• Gavin Ashenden: May 29-June 7, 2026

  Former Anglican bishop and Chaplain to the Queen, now a Catholic, offering reflections shaped by conversion, tradition, and the spiritual heritage of England.

• Roy Schoeman: June 7-17, 2026

  Jewish convert to Catholicism and author, leading morning retreat conferences on Sacred Scripture, salvation history, and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

• Bishop Athanasius Schneider: June 15-21, 2026

  Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, known for his profound reverence for the Holy Eucharist and faithful teaching rooted in the Church’s tradition. Bishop Schneider will celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass.

• Father Stash Dailey: June 21-July 1, 2026

  Fr. Stash Dailey is a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, known for his deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, serving in various roles: pastor, spiritual director, and retreat master. Several Bridgettine Sisters will join this pilgrimage.  Father will speak about the mystical revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden.

The centuries-old Franciscan Monastery of the Assumption of Mary has long been a sanctuary of refuge, silence, and spiritual renewal. This serene island, free from cars and modern distractions, provides an ideal setting for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

The rhythm of each day on the beautiful island of Badija begins with Holy Mass, followed by breakfast at the monastery. Each morning includes retreat talks. After lunch, the afternoon offers free time — an opportunity to swim in the clear Adriatic waters, take a leisurely walk along the three-mile path that circles the island, or simply sit in prayer and ponder the morning’s talks. In the evening, we gather again for dinner and conclude the day in the presence of Our Lord with Adoration and Benediction before retiring for the night.

Stewardship of a Holy Place

These pilgrimages are also offered in support of the Franciscan Order and its sacred responsibility to care for and preserve the monastery on the Island of Badija for future generations. This work is one expression of the broader mission of Urbi et Orbi Communications, which supports the unity of the Church and those sacred places that help to sustain, witness to, and build that unity across time and cultures.

The monastery church on Badija still bears visible wounds from the communist era and remains in need of repair. Our hope is that pilgrims, upon encountering this holy place in prayer and silence, may feel moved to help restore the church to the beauty and dignity it once held for centuries of faithful worship and monastic life.

Guardians of a Holy Place

Through these pilgrimages, a Community of Angels has already been formed. Pilgrims who have previously journeyed to Badija are members of this community, and all who participate in a Badija pilgrimage are enrolled as part of it. This Community of Angels exists to support the Franciscans through prayer, presence, and, as each person feels called, generous stewardship—helping to ensure that the monastery remains a place of retreat, healing, and encounter with God for generations to come

I hope to meet you in Croatia!

Blessings,

Deborah Tomlinson
President, Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages