Verso Ministries

What Verso Ministries does

Verso Ministries is a privately held, for-profit Catholic pilgrimage operator founded in 2016 and headquartered in the Notre Dame, Indiana area, designing and running guided group trips to more than 15 sacred destinations including the Holy Land, Italy, France, Spain, the Camino de Santiago, Marian Shrines, Mexico City, and rotating World Youth Day host cities. The company sells full-service pilgrimage packages priced from $2,995 to $4,799 per person, with a $500 deposit and balance due 100-120 days before departure, bundling accommodations, transportation, most meals, licensed local guides, daily Mass arrangements, Catholic chaplain leadership, and site access into a single product. Ancillary revenue is generated through single-room supplements ($575-$1,760), pre- and post-trip extensions, optional cultural add-ons, and referral commissions from travel protection plans issued by Travel Insured International. Its core technology is a YouLi-powered Pilgrim Portal that handles traveler registration, document collection, and itinerary access, complemented by a content and knowledge-base layer (Pilgrim Formation resources, webinars, support center FAQs) used to nurture group leaders and individual pilgrims. Go-to-market is B2B and B2B2C, targeting Catholic group leaders (priests, chaplains, youth ministers), archdioceses and dioceses (Indianapolis, San Francisco, Galveston-Houston, Military Services USA, Fort Wayne-South Bend), Catholic universities and high schools (Notre Dame, Dallas, San Diego, Frassati, Regis Jesuit, Yale's St. Thomas More), and individual Catholic pilgrims, with the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Traveling Irish program serving as a flagship co-branded channel. Marketing is content-led (blog, resource library, SEO, weekly newsletter, social) combined with partner referrals from dioceses, parishes, and Catholic schools. The company is founder-owned, with no disclosed external funding rounds, and operates with a 1-10 person team.

Name

Verso Ministries

Legal name

Verso Ministries, LLC

Website

https://versoministries.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verso Ministries is a Notre Dame, Indiana-based Catholic pilgrimage operator that designs and runs guided group trips to 15+ sacred sites worldwide, serving Catholic dioceses, parishes, universities, schools, and individual pilgrims through B2B/B2B2C channels including the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Traveling Irish program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Catholic Pilgrimage Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Pilgrimage & Holy Land Tour Operators (THAKAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Group Travel (Church/Mosque/Temple) Organizers (THAKAHAH), Religious & Sacred Sites Tours (THAJAAAF), Religious & Pilgrimage Retail Travel Agencies (THAKABAL)

Keywords

• Catholic pilgrimage tours
• Guided religious travel
• Faith-based group tours
• Sacred site pilgrimages
• World Youth Day travel

Headquarters

HQ city

Notre Dame

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Pilgrimage Package Sales: Verso Ministries generates revenue through selling comprehensive pilgrimage packages that include accommodations, transportation, guides, meals, spiritual formation materials, and access to holy sites. Packages range from $2,995 to $4,799 per person depending on destination, duration, and accommodation level. Deposits of $500 are required upon registration with final balances due 100-120 days prior to departure.
2. Travel Protection Services: The company facilitates the purchase of travel protection plans through Travel Insured International, earning referral/affiliate revenue when pilgrims purchase coverage. The company recommends travel insurance with Cancel for Any Reason coverage to all pilgrims.
3. Optional Add-ons and Extensions: Additional revenue streams include single room supplements ($575-$1,760), pre/post extensions (e.g., Petra Jordan extension at $1,998/person), optional cultural tours, and prepaid gratuities. WYD trips include optional group flights, day add-ons, and cultural extensions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Verso Ministries designs and operates guided, all-inclusive Catholic pilgrimage trips to global sacred sites for individual pilgrims and institutional groups. Packages bundle accommodations, ground transportation, meals, licensed local guides, Catholic chaplains, site admission, daily Mass, and pre- and post-trip spiritual formation materials. The company primarily serves U.S.-based Catholic dioceses, parishes, universities, schools, and individual lay pilgrims.

Product overview

Verso Ministries operates as a single, unified Catholic pilgrimage service rather than a platform-with-modules architecture. The core offering consists of guided pilgrimage trips to sacred destinations worldwide, with supporting services including a Pilgrim Portal (YouLi-based booking system), Pilgrim Support Center (knowledge base), Group Leader Services, and Travel Protection Plans. The company also runs a specialized sub-brand for Notre Dame Alumni through its Traveling Irish program. All offerings are centered around the pilgrimage experience itself rather than standalone software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catholic Pilgrimage Packages (Holy Land, Italy, France, Camino de Santiago, Marian Shrines, Mexico City) All-inclusive, multi-day guided Catholic pilgrimages to destinations including Italy, France, the Camino de Santiago, the Holy Land, Marian Shrines, and Mexico City, including accommodations, ground transportation, most meals, licensed guides, Catholic chaplains, daily Mass, and pre- and post-trip spiritual formation materials. Targeted at individual Catholic pilgrims, parishes, dioceses, and Catholic schools.
• World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage 10-day pilgrimage package to Seoul, South Korea centered on World Youth Day 2027, including accommodations, ground transportation, meals, WYD registration coordination, Catholic chaplains, and optional pre-extensions. Targeted at Catholic youth, young adults, and group leaders bringing delegations to WYD.
• Solar Eclipse Camino Pilgrimage (August 2026) 10-day Camino de Santiago pilgrimage timed to witness the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse and conclude at Santiago for the Feast of the Assumption, including accommodations, guide support, meals, and spiritual formation. Targeted at Catholic individuals and groups seeking a themed event pilgrimage.
• Notre Dame Alumni Association Traveling Irish Pilgrimages A specialized pilgrimage program operated under the Notre Dame Alumni Association's Traveling Irish program, offering trips hand-crafted for Notre Dame alumni and friends with alumni-focused itineraries, premium accommodations, Holy Cross priest spiritual directors, expert local guides, and experienced pilgrimage leadership. Targeted at Notre Dame alumni and their networks.
• Italy Pilgrimage (commemorating 500th anniversary of Swiss Guards) An 8-day comprehensive Italy pilgrimage including accommodations, transportation, most meals, Catholic chaplains, and entry fees, with content commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guards; optional group flight and single room supplements available. Targeted at individual pilgrims, parish groups, and institutional cohorts.
• Spain and Portugal Marian Shrines Pilgrimage (June 2026) A 10-day Marian pilgrimage across Spain and Portugal visiting shrines including Montserrat, Fatima, and Barcelona, with accommodations, transportation, meals, guides, and Catholic spiritual formation. Targeted at individuals and groups seeking a Marian devotion-focused pilgrimage.
• Pilgrimage to Türkiye (October 2026) A 10-day pilgrimage to Türkiye (October 14-24, 2026) including accommodations, transportation, meals, licensed local guides, and Catholic chaplains covering early Christian and apostolic sites. Targeted at individual pilgrims and institutional groups.
• University of Notre Dame Campus Ministry Italy Pilgrimage (October 2026) A Notre Dame Campus Ministry-sponsored pilgrimage to Italy (October 16-24, 2026) operated by Verso Ministries, including accommodations, transportation, meals, chaplains, and formation tailored to the campus ministry audience. Targeted at Notre Dame students, faculty, and ministry constituents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Verso provides daily Mass at pilgrimage destinations, a feature not typically available through secular travel agencies.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Travel Insured InternationalcoreOthersVerso Ministries partners with Travel Insured International (TII) to provide travel protection coverage for pilgrims. TII offers plans including Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Baggage coverage, and Cancel for Any Reason options. Verso receives quotes and processes travel insurance purchases on behalf of pilgrims.
• Notre Dame Alumni Association (Traveling Irish Program)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Notre Dame Alumni Association partners with Verso to sponsor pilgrimages under the 'Traveling Irish' program. Trips are handcrafted for Notre Dame alumni and friends who want Catholic pilgrimages aligned with university traditions. Verso, led by Double Domer John Paul Lichon '06, '09MA, creates itineraries featuring like-minded alumni, experienced pilgrimage directors, knowledgeable local guides, spiritual leaders (often Holy Cross priests), world-class accommodations, and expert leadership.
• Archdiocese of Military Services, U.S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVerso provides pilgrimage services to the Archdiocese of Military Services, serving U.S. military Catholic communities and their families.
• Various Dioceses and ParishescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple dioceses (Indianapolis, Galveston-Houston, Fort Wayne-South Bend, San Francisco) and parishes (Sacred Heart, St. Bartholomew, St. Brigid, Nativity) partner with Verso to organize pilgrimages for their members.
• Meyer and AssociatesminorOthersFor Notre Dame alumni trips, the Alumni Association partners with Meyer and Associates to provide travel insurance options. Pilgrims are referred to Meyer and Associates at 866-679-7836 or via their website for insurance quotes and coverage options.
• FaithNDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFaithND, Notre Dame's faith initiative, produced the 'In the Footsteps of Jesus' video series documenting the Holy Land pilgrimage experience. Videos shared with permission for promotional use.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Guiding Star Pilgrimages: Emerging Catholic pilgrimage operator focused on spiritually-rich, clergy-led group trips, with comparable target market and formation-led positioning.
• Fr. Bill's Catholic Tours: Smaller, clergy-led Catholic pilgrimage operator running group trips to the Holy Land, Italy, and Marian shrines — partial overlap with Verso's offering, primarily in the parish and school segment.

Broad incumbents

• Collette: Large generalist tour operator that runs faith-based group tours and religious-site itineraries as part of a much broader global travel portfolio — comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping faith-travel product.
• Insight Vacations: Premium escorted-tour brand offering faith-based and religious-site itineraries as part of a wider luxury tour portfolio — comparable as a broad incumbent in religious heritage travel.

Direct peers

• Peter's Way Tours: Long-established Catholic pilgrimage tour operator with Holy Land, Italy, Marian, and WYD departures, serving the same Catholic laity, parish, and school group leader segment as Verso.
• Catholic Travel Centre: Catholic tour operator offering group pilgrimages to Rome, Holy Land, Fatima, Lourdes, and Shrines, also serving dioceses, parishes, and schools as group organizers. Direct competitor for the same group-leader customer segment.
• Magi Travel: US-based Catholic pilgrimage tour operator running Holy Land, Italy, and Marian shrine itineraries with clergy-led group packages directly comparable to Verso's core product.
• 206 Tours: One of the largest and longest-running Catholic pilgrimage tour operators in the US, offering group pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Fatima, Lourdes, and World Youth Day. Most directly comparable to Verso on product, customer base (Catholic laity, parishes, schools), and event-driven business model.
• Select International Tours: Catholic pilgrimage tour operator organizing group trips to the Holy Land, Italy, Lourdes, Fatima, and Marian shrines with pricing and group-leader partnership models very similar to Verso's.

Others

• World Youth Day USA: Official US organizing body for World Youth Day participation, a key demand driver for Verso's WYD Seoul 2027 offering. Not a direct competitor but a critical ecosystem partner and demand catalyst.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeKz4-_1vwvGHluo7laN7tQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/VersoMinistries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verso-ministries
• Instagraminstagram.com/catholictravels

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Verso Ministries