ABOUT US

Mater Dei Tours is a Catholic family apostolate that began on the North side of Madison, Wisconsin in the Village of Waunakee, born as the Landa-Cleary Travel Company, Inc., on May 13th, 1995, on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Juan Landa and his Wife, Erin Landa (Cleary), founded the travel company after working in the tourism industry since 1980. Since its beginnings the company has been staffed by the Landa and Cleary families. Through hard work and dedication the company became a regional leader in bringing tourists to Europe.

During the preparations for the jubilee of the Church, after much prayer and discernment we decided, though divinely inspired, to create tours that had the specific goal of bringing souls closer to Jesus Christ, His Mother and The Church by bringing people to places of great importance and relevance to the faith. At first, it seemed to be too daunting to follow through with the plans but we soon came to realize that Our Lord simply wanted our faithfulness and He would take care of the impossible.

Now, Mater Dei Tours is consecrated to the Immaculate heart of Mary and is solely dedicated to crafting unforgettable pilgrimages to virtually every Vatican approved pilgrimage site. On every pilgrimage we incorporate culture, history and natural beauty with the Roman Catholic Faith. Accompanying every tour, a Catholic Priest provides a spiritual program (Mass, Rosary, Chaplet, Meditation, Confession and Benediction) and a Mater Dei Tour Director takes care of all the travel details. In addition, we have local experts from the countries and cities we visit allowing the pilgrim to spend more time to experience memorable moments while growing spiritually as well as culturally.

So whether you are a past pilgrim or considering becoming one, we encourage you to enrich your life with travel that is relevant! Please feel free to contact us regarding any information you may need about any of our Relevant Journeys, Mater Dei Pilgrimages or about starting your own Parish's Mater Dei Tour with your own Parish Priest! We hope to see you soon on one of our pilgrimages! Until then, may you always be under the protection of the most beautiful, blue, starry mantle of Our Most Blessed Mother!

Omnes cum Petro, ad Iesum, per Mariam!  All with Peter, to Jesus, through Mary!

Juan and Erin Landa
(Founders)

It is our mission to help bring souls closer to God providing Catholic Pilgrimages to some of the world's most memorable and faith-inspiring sites. Our journeys are arranged with the intention of offering pilgrims the following combination:

• Touring of Holy sites and other Cultural & Historical Sites of relevant value while enjoying the company and camaraderie of new friendships.
   
• Promotion of doctrinal, pious and traditional devotions including the Holy Mass, the Rosary, Sacrament of Confession, Meditations and others, in obedience with the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church
   
• Personal Service throughout the entire journey, taking care of all details in order to allow the pilgrim to focus on the important part of their pilgrimage.

We believe that the above combination provides our pilgrims with a lasting spiritual impression and a memorable pilgrimage experience. It is our hope that every pilgrim returns home with a spirit of deeper conversion, inspiring great resolutions to follow Our Lord closer in everyday life.

Landa Cleary Travel Company, Inc. (d.b.a. Mater Dei Tours and Relevant Journeys) is endorsed by IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agents Association) and ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation). Agents at Mater Dei have received certificates of merit as travel experts by the Tourists Boards of Ireland and Spain. Mater Dei has received the trust of many Priests, Pilgrims and Catholic Organizations as their pilgrimage company of choice for a real Catholic Pilgrimage Experience.