Oberammergau Pilgrimage Group

Father Scott Boeckman, Chaplin at Conception Seminary College and priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and Judi Wilkinson, Pastoral Associate at St. Eugene Parish, OKC, invite you to join them for an experience that comes along once every decade.  Be in the audience of the once every 10 years Passion Play at Oberammergau to be moved by the enactment of the trial, suffering and death of Christ.  This pilgrimage includes a journey to Switzerland, Germany and Austria.  In 1663, the residents of Oberammergau were concerned with the rise of plague victims and vowed that if they were spared, they would perform a dramatic rendition of Christ’s passion. Since then, they have performed the Passion Play each year that ends in “0.” 2020 will be the next time the town comes together for this production. There are over 2000 performers. The staging is elaborate as they include tableaux from Old Testament scenes that prefigure Jesus’ own passion. Oberammergau is a picturesque Bavarian town in southern Germany. The play takes place in a semi-outdoor venue giving it a more realistic feel. For centuries, people have traveled here for this inspiring and dramatic spiritual event. Our program will include a pre-Passion Play pilgrimage to Switzerland to the beautiful medieval town of Luzern. From there we will visit Engelberg where the Benedictine Abbey will be celebrating its 900th year anniversary. The town is situated in beautiful majestic alps. We will journey to Germany and explore castles and historic villages. After the Passion Play, we journey to Salzburg, home to Mozart and setting for the Sound of Music. We end our program in the exciting Bavarian town of Munich with its historic center and world-class museums.

Program Itinerary:

Sat May 23: Depart from Oklahoma City to Zurich.

Sun May 24: Arrival Zurich. Your tour manager will meet you at the airport and assist with your transfer by private motorcoach to Lucerne. After checking into hotel, include a casual walking tour of the medieval town center followed by a nice welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Mon May 25: Breakfast. Travel to nearby Engelberg (about an hour or less by bus from Lucerne). The Abbey at Engelberg will be celebrating its 900th anniversary. Include a guided visit to the abbey and celebrate Mass there. After Mass, include a round trip ticket on the cable car to the top of Mt. Titlis. This is a spectacular journey and view. People would then be free to get something to eat on their own at the top of the mountain, to do some hiking – there or lower down – or come back down to town and explore shops, cafes and restaurants on their own. Set a time to return to Lucerne for dinner/overnight.

Tue May 26: Breakfast. Morning Mass at the Jesuit Church. Continue with a visit to the Rosengart Collection of Art – a nice modern art museum in the area. The rest of the afternoon/evening could be free. The tour manager can help people explore other museums, take trains to other places – perhaps even Zurich (a short ride), or take a boat ride on the lake. Dinner/overnight Lucerne.

Wed May 27: Breakfast. Travel to Bavaria. Stop en route at Neuschwanstein to see the famous castle there. Continue then to the place where you will have accommodations for the Oberammergau Passion Play. Spend time in the town center (walking orientation). Include Mass. Dinner/overnight.

Thur May 28: Breakfast. Morning at leisure to enjoy Oberammergau (people will want to explore the shops of all the wood carvers). Passion Play in the afternoon. Dinner. Conclusion of Passion Play after dinner. Overnight Oberammergau or area.

Fri May 29: Breakfast. Day excursion to Salzburg – visiting the Hohensalzburg (Castle), the Cathedral, the town center and Mozart’s birthplace and museum. Include a fun Sound of Music tour, singing some of the songs and seeing some of the filming sites. Continue then to Munich for dinner/overnight. We can arrange Mass if you like. Dinner/overnight.

Sat May 30: Breakfast. Morning liturgy at Frauenkirche. UPDATE 11/13: Excursion to Dachau added to itinerary today ($30 supplement).  Conclude the evning with visit to one of the famous breweries – such as Hoffbrauhaus - with dinner. Overnight Munich.

Sun May 31: Breakfast. Transfer to airport in Munich for return flight to Oklahoma City.

Inclusive Features:

7-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels and religious guesthouses, breakfast and dinner daily, Passion Play ticket, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Airport Transfer:

The transfers are scheduled solely around the group flight arrival and departure.  Participants who have made independent flight arrangements are welcome to join the transfer from the airport to the hotel in Lucerne; otherwise make your way to the hotel on your own to join the group. Participants are also welcome to join the transfer on 5/31 from the hotel in Munich to the airport.

Hotels:

Lucerne - Hotel Astoria

Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Riessersee Hotel

Munich - Maritim Hotel Munich

Complete Program Prices:
(with airfare and airport transfers)

$6050 per person based on double occupancy
$1050 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:
(without airfare or airport transfers)

$4380 per person based on double occupancy
$1050 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Should additional single rooms be requested, hotels may impose a higher supplement for all single rooms. If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect October 24, 2018—and on 2018 land tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Judi Wilkinson
jwilkinson@steugenes.org
(405) 751-7115 ex, 115

Since tickets are limited, we have a short window of opportunity to secure space and seating. Complete the Event Registration Form online and submit your $500 deposit check to illume by June 3, 2019.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

After your deposit is received, you will receive a Welcome e-mail and a link to add Travel Insurance/Protection to your program if desired.

A second non-refundable deposit of $500 per person due not later than: April 1, 2019 (or at registration if registering after April 1)

A third non-refundable deposit of $2000 per person due not later than: August 1, 2019

Balance of payment due not later than: December 15, 2019

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Registrations will be accepted after February 20 on a space-available basis. Additional costs may apply. Contact illume for pricing and availability after February 20.

Program No. 20.10516