Announcing the 2026 Pilgrimage for American Seminarians of Czech and Slovak Heritage

June 23rd - July 2nd, 2026

The North American Pastoral Center for Czech Catholics (NAPCCC) is honored to announce the launch of a very special initiative: the 2026 Pilgrimage to the Czech Republic for American seminarians, deacons, and priests of Czech and Slovak heritage.

This ten-day journey will bring participants to historic and sacred Catholic sites in Prague, České Budějovice, Brno, Olomouc, Velehrad, and Dolní Bojanovice. Along the way, they will meet with Czech bishops, priests, seminarians, and Catholic communities – deepening their spiritual life, strengthening ties to their heritage, and fostering bonds of friendship and collaboration between the Church in North America and the Church in the Czech Republic.

Honoring Bishop Peter Esterka’s Legacy

The itinerary for this pilgrimage was designed in 2024 by Bishop Peter Esterka, beloved founder of the NAPCCC, whose vision was to create opportunities for American seminarians to connect with their ancestral faith traditions. Although circumstances delayed its launch, NAPCCC is committed to fulfilling his dream in 2026. This pilgrimage stands as a living tribute to Bishop Esterka’s faith, leadership, and love for the Czech and Slovak Catholic community.

Supporting the Next Generation of Priests

The NAPCCC will sponsor 7 American seminarians or young priests to participate, covering the majority of their costs. Participants will contribute a small portion themselves, but it is the generosity of donors and friends of NAPCCC that will make this pilgrimage possible.

By supporting this project, you are:

Helping seminarians grow in their faith through prayer and pilgrimage.
Preserving and celebrating Czech and Slovak Catholic traditions.
Building bridges between the Church in North America and Czechia.
Investing in the formation of future priests who will serve Czech Catholic communities in America.

Join Us in Making This Possible

We invite you to partner with us in bringing this pilgrimage to life. Your support through prayer, encouragement, or financial contributions will ensure that Bishop Esterka’s vision is realized
and that a new generation of seminarians will carry forward the faith, traditions, and values of our Czech and Slovak Catholic heritage.

Together, we can provide an unforgettable experience that will inspire these future priests to serve with deeper faith, wisdom, and cultural understanding.

Please consider making a gift today to support the 2026 Pilgrimage.