Summer Programs in Poland 2026 - Faith, Culture, Art, and Music

The Diocese of Gliwice invites participants from around the world to discover Poland through two unique summer programs that unite faith, culture, art, and music. Taking place from June 19 to July 4, 2026, these programs offer much more than study abroad or travel. They are immersive experiences of prayer, learning, pilgrimage, and encounter with a living Christian heritage.

Set in the heart of Europe, Poland is a country where history, faith, and culture are deeply intertwined. It is the land of saints, artists, musicians, and witnesses of hope, shaped by centuries of Christian tradition and marked profoundly by the life and legacy of Saint John Paul II. These summer programs are designed for those who wish to explore that heritage not only as observers, but as participants.

Participants may choose one of two parallel programs: a Sacred Music Seminar and Pilgrimage, or an Iconography Workshop and Pilgrimage. Both programs share the same dates, pilgrimage route, cultural experiences, and spiritual rhythm, while offering distinct academic and artistic formation.

Voices of Faith

A Sacred Music Seminar and Pilgrimage in Poland

The Sacred Music program is an invitation to discover the Church’s musical tradition as a living form of prayer, theology, and beauty. Through lectures, workshops, and daily musical practice, participants explore how sacred music has shaped the liturgical life of the Church across centuries.

The seminar includes both theoretical and practical formation. Participants take part in vocal training, choral practice, and reflective sessions that connect music with Scripture, liturgy, and spirituality. Lecture topics include music in the teachings of Saint John Paul II, the history and principles of Gregorian chant, hymns in the liturgical year, and the theology of music in the writings of Saint Hildegard of Bingen.

This program is open to singers, choir members, musicians, music students, and all who wish to deepen their relationship with God through sacred sound. No professional background is required. What matters most is openness to learning, prayer, and shared musical experience.

Click here to see details about this program.

Iconography Workshop

Sacred Art, Faith, and Beauty

The Iconography program offers a profound introduction to one of the Church’s most ancient artistic traditions. Icons are not merely religious images. They are visual theology, prayer written in color and form, meant to lead the viewer into contemplation of divine mystery.

Participants take part in hands-on iconography workshops combined with lectures on the history, theology, and liturgical role of icons. The program explores how sacred images serve the catechetical mission of the Church and shape personal and communal devotion.

Guided by experienced instructors, participants learn traditional techniques and symbolism while working in an atmosphere of prayer and silence. The workshop is open to beginners and those with prior artistic experience alike. All who desire to encounter God through beauty are welcome.

At the conclusion of the program, participants receive a diploma of completion issued by the Silesian School of Iconography of the Diocese of Gliwice.

Click here to see details about this program.

A Shared Pilgrimage of Faith

Both programs are rooted in a common pilgrimage across Poland, following the footsteps of Saint John Paul II and other beloved Polish saints. Participants visit some of the most significant spiritual and cultural sites in the country.

The pilgrimage includes Częstochowa, home of the Black Madonna and the spiritual heart of Poland, Kraków, often called the Polish Rome, the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki, and Saint Kinga’s Chapel carved deep within the Wieliczka Salt Mine. These places are not only historical landmarks, but living spaces of prayer, devotion, and witness.

Throughout the journey, participants are invited into daily Mass, opportunities for confession, spiritual guidance, and times of reflection. The pilgrimage is designed to nurture both personal faith and communal bonds, offering space for silence, conversation, and shared prayer.

Cultural Experience

Beyond its sacred dimension, the program offers a rich immersion into Polish culture. Participants explore the historic streets of Kraków, encounter original Polish art, attend concerts, and experience local traditions, music, and crafts. They taste traditional Polish cuisine and learn how history, suffering, resilience, and creativity have shaped the nation.

This cultural dimension deepens the pilgrimage, helping participants understand Poland not only as a place of faith, but as a living culture where art, history, and spirituality remain closely connected.

Practical Information

Both programs take place from June 19 to July 4, 2026.

The program fee is $2,950 and includes housing, breakfasts and lunches, transportation within Poland, entrance fees to visiting sites, participant materials, and medical insurance for the duration of the program.

Participants are responsible for travel to and from Poland, as well as any visa or travel documentation required.

Spaces are limited, and early registration is encouraged!

For questions or further information, please contact:

Sr. Evelyn Montes de Oca, SCTJM
s_evelyn@kuria.gliwice.pl

These summer programs are more than courses or tours. They are journeys into faith expressed through music, art, prayer, and culture. Whether through sacred sound or sacred image, participants are invited to encounter beauty, deepen their spiritual life, and discover Poland from the inside.