End of the Year Message from Our President
As the Jubilee Year - “Pilgrims of Hope” draws to a close, we at 206 Tours pause in deep gratitude for the blessings God has poured out upon us—and upon each of you—in 2025. This has been one of our most grace-filled, record-breaking years yet, and we are humbled that so many of you chose to entrust your pilgrimage to us. Here are just a few highlights of what the Lord accomplished through our shared pilgrimages this year:
35 Countries visited
5,898 Private Masses celebrated
11,033 Pilgrims (incl. Priests & deacons)
47,552 Flights booked
78,854 Hotel Bookings / overnights
182,364 Meals served enjoyed in fellowship
Above all, we are touched by the countless letters (https://t.co/af9Qcvh1vy), emails, and stories we’ve received sharing how pilgrimages have transformed lives, deepened faith, and brought souls closer to Christ.
These testimonies are the true measure of this year’s grace.
2025 was especially profound as the Jubilee Year, a time of mercy, renewal, and pilgrimages. Millions walked through the Holy Doors, particularly at the four Major Basilicas in Rome, receiving special indulgences and graces.
The Jubilee will officially conclude on January 6, 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany—marking the end of a remarkable season of hope for the universal Church.
This year also brought historic change with the election of our new Holy Father: Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States), elected on May 8, 2025, as the first American Successor of St. Peter. Since his election, pilgrims have flocked to Rome in even greater numbers to greet him.
I was deeply honored to meet Pope Leo, and to share the mission of 206 Tours. This meeting will be one of the most cherished moments of my life.
We joyfully celebrated 206 Tours’ 40th Anniversary in 2025. When I founded the company in 1985—with nothing but unwavering trust, I was determined but —I never imagined the ways God would use it to guide thousands of souls.
Every step forward is thanks to His providence, your faithful participation, and the tireless work of our incredible team.
In November, I was profoundly moved to receive the “Lydia Award” from my friend Dr. Scott Hahn of St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. St. Lydia, (she is called at times Purple-Cloth-Lydia inspiration for my dress in photo with Dr. Hahn) the businesswoman opened her home to St. Paul (Acts 16:14-15), became first Christian in Europe,
and it is my prayer that many businesses women look up to her, and most of all that 206 Tours continues to serve, as a humble instrument—using pilgrimages as our gift to lead souls to Christ, as St. Lydia did.
And, finally — Pilgrimages to the Holy Land have resumed! We have two groups walking in His footsteps right now, they are small but many more will come!
To every one of you— my family at home, and at work, pilgrims, priests, group leaders, tour guides, drivers, ground DMC’s, hotel partners, and all who make these journeys possible—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Your faith, generosity, and companionship have made 2025 unforgettable. May the Lord bless you abundantly in the coming year, filling your hearts with peace, joy, and unwavering hope.
With deepest gratitude and prayers,
Milanka Lachman
Founder & President
https://t.co/U7AwiozzNF
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” So, don’t take down that tree. Christmas lasts until Epiphany, or by historical traditions, Latin texts, Christmas (Nativitas Domini) is a 40-day season, known as Christmastide or Yule. It is based on biblical account of the Virgin Mary’s purification after giving birth to Jesus, which is commemorated on February 2nd, Candlemas (Purificatio Mariae).
Merry Christmas!
We are praising God for the incredible news of the ceasefire in the Holy Land!
The best Thanksgiving gift.
Please continue to pray for our Holy Land guides and all who have been affected by the conflict there.
Pilgrimages will never be the same - Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born, in Bethlehem closed, after suspected coronavirus in Beit Jala, town close by.