LOVE & TRUTH REGISTER NOW Inspired by St. John Paul II's teachings, learn how you can build a civilization dedicated to God in the world today. Building a civilization of CAMPING LEARN HIKING & CAMPING REGISTER NOW The program begins deep in the Shenandoah Valley, where you will hike and kayak, camp and pray, and make lifelong friends. TWO DAYS IN NATURE FIND GOD love & truth LEARN & GROW Journey to the city for a daily seminar, formation and prayer, and community. Become equipped to transform the culture & deepen your faith. FIVE DAYS IN DC LOVE & TRUTH HIKING & CAMPING REGISTER NOW
June 20 - 27

The Love & Truth Seminar

Day-only registrations now open for locals!

Our goal is to help you to live out Pope Saint John Paul II’s call to build a civilization of love and truth. How exactly are we going to do so? Just as the great saint would have: a retreat away from the world, filled with prayer, outdoor adventure, community, sacraments, worship and incredible lectures and conversation.

The Seminar begins in one of America’s most beautiful river valleys – the Shenandoah – for two days of camping, hiking and canoeing. We’ll then head over to DC, home of the JPII Institute and located just next to the National Shrine, for the remainder of the Seminar.

Register Now
cool outside of 3
132c72f5a6f6c5784ba4de1c35c3a295
Encounter Christ
Through daily Mass, adoration, spiritual formation & direction
Live Community
Authentic fellowship is what makes our programs are so enjoyable
Engage Creation
Hike the mountains and kayak the river of Shenandoah National Park
Meet & Network
Leaders of the New Evangelization, through lectures, working lunches, & visits

The Details

Hiking & Camping

Two Days in the Shenandoah Valley

  • Kick off the seminar with an outdoor retreat in Shenandoah, VA

  • Tent camping (just bring your own sleeping bag and we’ll provide the rest)

  • Hiking the mountains and kayaking the river of Shenandoah National Park

  • Daily Mass, adoration & discussions

586368b9f18ed62cd912180267f1bc07
community meal shot

Learning & Growing

Five Days in Washington, DC

  • The remainder of the seminar is in DC, at the National Shrine of John Paul II

  • Lodging in private rooms at a retreat center

  • Engage in a daily seminar on building the civilization of love & truth today

  • Daily Mass & adoration

  • Opportunities for confession & spiritual direction

  • Meet distinguished guests

Encounters

National Shrine of John Paul II
Hosting us for conferences, prayer, and special tours.
Paul Jarzembowski
National Coordinator for Youth and Young Adults. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
Servant Sisters of the Virgin of Matara
Founded under John Paul II’s papacy and dedicated to the Evangelization of the Culture.
Jay Richards
Jay W. Richards, Ph.D, OP NY Times Bestselling author, Research Professor at CUA’s Busch School of Business, Executive Editor of The Stream.
Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy
The order of St. Faustina carrying out the mission of Divine Mercy.
Monika Jablonska
Lawyer, literary scholar and author of “Wind from Heaven: John Paul II, The Poet Who Became Pope"
Sisters of Life
Founded under the pontificate of John Paul II to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life.
Maxime Nogier
Executive Director of the National Shrine of John Paul II.

Meet the Team

Joe & Corinne MacDonald
Founders, JP2 Project, Love & Truth Seminar Facilitators
Dr. John Hittinger
Seminar Leader, Director of the St. John Paul II Institute at St. Thomas University in Houston
Fr. Jordan Berghouse
Program Chaplain, Priest of the Diocese of Milwaukee

Getting Started

01

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the trip contact us today!

CONTACT US
02

Register Online

Once you decide that this is the excursion for you, register immediately online!

REGISTER NOW
03

Pack Your Bags!

Pack your bags and arrange transportation to/from the excursion!

Have a question?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the costs?

Registration for the complete Seminar closes on June 2. After June 2, day-only registrations will be available for those local who would like to join for select events (some Masses, tours and seminars). Most events for day-only registration are FREE. Meals come with a cost. See below for details. Register for all or some of these events here. Register for the outdoor camping and hiking retreat here.

Day-only Registration Options:

Tuesday, June 22:

5 PM: Dinner & Seminar Session #1 with Dr. John Hittinger: “Why the crisis of our time is a crisis of the degradation of the person” (CUA) – $15

7 PM: Evening with Merciful Jesus (talk, adoration, confession, fellowship), led by the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (National Shrine of John Paul II) – FREE

Wednesday, June 23:

10 AM: Mass at the Lourdes Grotto in the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land – FREE

3:30 PM: Seminar Session #2, Dr. Hittinger: The answer is found in faith in Christ and confidence in reason (National Shrine of JP2, Auditorium) – FREE

Thursday, June 24: 

11:30 AM: Tour of the Exhibit of John Paul II at the National Shrine of JP2 – FREE

12:30 PM: Working Picnic Lunch with Monika Jablonska, lawyer, literary scholar, and author of “Wind from Heaven: John Paul II, the Poet who became Pope” (at the National Shrine) – $15

2:30 PM: Seminar Session #3 Placing Culture as a Top Priority, with Dr. John Hittinger (National Shrine of JP2, Auditorium) – FREE

4:00 PM: Mosaic Sacred Art Tour (National Shrine of JP2) – FREE

Friday, June 25:

3:30 PM: Seminar Session #4 with Dr. John Hittinger: Marriage & Family: The Core of the Civilization of Love and Truth – FREE

Saturday, June 26:

3:00 PM: Seminar Session #5, Dr. Hittinger: The Religious Roots of National Memory and Identity (Meeting room, Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America) – FREE

6:30 PM: Dinner Banquet with guest speaker Jay W. Richards, PhD, O.P., NY Times Bestselling author, Research Assistant Professor in the Busch School of Business at CUA, Executive Editor of The Stream (CUA)- $30

8:30 PM: Night adoration at JP2 Shrine with points of meditation by Our Lady of Mercy Sisters (St. Faustina’s order). Opportunity for confession with chaplain Fr. Jordan. -FREE

Where does it start and end?

June 20 – 27. Arrange transportation to/from Washington and we will do the rest! We will be in touch closer to the seminar with more details on meeting location and times. In general, the seminar begins with hiking & camping in Shenandoah, VA and ends in Washington, DC next to the National Shrine of John Paul II. 

Do I need my own tent or gear?

No.

Each person will only need their own sleeping bag and flashlight, and camping mat or mattress if desired. But if you do have your own tent and camping gear and are willing to share, that would be extremely helpful!

Who can attend?

Young adults.

Young adults ages 18-35, single or married. Spots are very limited and priority will be given to pre-approved applicants.

Do I need to be Catholic?

No.

Not at all. This is certainly a Catholic retreat, but people from all walks of faith or those searching are welcome.

Do I need to be experienced in hiking, kayaking or canoeing?

No.

Any level of outdoorsman (or lack thereof) is welcome. Stretching before the retreat will be encouraged.

How are we retreating?

Prayer.

A cornerstone of this retreat is the spiritual food, facilitated by our chaplain. You’ll be able to participate in daily Mass, adoration and a discussion on John Paul II’s teaching to young people.

What can I expect from this seminar?

Grow closer to God.

Expect to encounter Christ through daily Mass, adoration and spiritual formation, learn about JPII’s teachings on building the civilization of love & truth today, create authentic Christ-centered friendships, engage in God’s creation through hiking and camping, and expect to meet and network with leaders of the New Evangelization. 

 

What is the policy surrounding alcohol?

If you’re over 21, you’ll enjoy the drinks at night around the fire. If you’re under 21, you’ll enjoy other beverages.​