In
1983,
Milanka Lachman was working for Yugoslav Airlines when she received several calls from people
asking for help arranging travel to
Medjugorje to witness the Marian
Apparitions there. She could hear in their voices that these people felt called
to make this Pilgrimage and felt suddenly strongly compelled to help them get
there. She gave these clients her personal home phone number fearing she could
be fired by her Communist superiors if she were heard discussing Medjugorje.
Though
it was a difficult task, Milanka accepted the challenge and arranged a non-stop
PanAm flight to Dubrovnik, secured hotel space, and organized for a driver. At
the time, Medjugorje was a small village of only 300 people who were opening
their doors and sharing meals with Pilgrims free of charge. Milanka was so
moved by her first Pilgrimage experience that she felt called to dedicate her
life to facilitating the act Pilgrimage for other Catholics, and 206 Tours was
born.
In
October of 1985, in a small town on Long Island, Milanka set out to create her
company. At just 27 years old, she was a single mother of two with little
experience in the travel industry, no money, no family, no clergy connections,
and no support. Milanka approached the task with Faith, knowing that God would
help her in her mission to help others answer His call of Pilgrimage.
Thirty-three
(33) years later, 206 Tours has grown into one of the country’s leading
Pilgrimage operators facilitating over 300,000 Pilgrimages to 28 countries all
over the world. Every Pilgrimage is accompanied by a Catholic Spiritual
Director who says Mass and is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
daily. With hundreds of regularly schedules departures and the ability
to create one of a kind custom group pilgrimages, 206 Tours helps Catholics to
deepen their relationship with God.
Of
the
300,000 Pilgrimages completed,
63,000 of those have been free of charge. Tens
of thousands of lives have been changed through Pilgrimage with 206 Tours, and
hundreds of people have been called into Priesthood or experienced vocation
callings. The Holy Father has noted that, “
Pilgrimage is one of the most
eloquent expressions of the faith of God’s people” and 206 Tours also
understands that the call to service and charity is also one that will deepen
Catholic Faith. Holding charity and service as a core value, 206 Tours have
been blessed to be able to support many Catholic charities in the 33 years,
helping to grow the Catholic community not only on Long Island, but also all
over the world.
Learn more about how 206 Tours gives back here.
In 33 years, the 206 Tours family has seen firsthand, and
learned the importance of Pilgrimage and how it can completely transform lives.
While on Pilgrimage, deep and long-lasting friendships and connections are
often made, faith is renewed and revived, and life takes on a new meaning.
In the years to come,
206 Tours aims to make Pilgrimage even
more accessible to the Catholic community, maintaining the originally goal of
helping others to experience Pilgrimage. The strength and perseverance of 206
Tours is attributed to the strong network of employees, partners, clergy and
pilgrims around the world who are keeping the act of Pilgrimage alive and of
course all credit and Glory to God, as without Him, the last 33 years would not
have been possible.
Labels: 206 Tours, Pilgrimage