What can I do at each shrine?

NOTE: Due to the varying mandates and responses from the COVID-19 pandemic, Masses, services, public prayer, access to relics, etc may be limited or unavailable. Please verify with the particular shrine before you go! Websites and contact info provided below.

In general, shrines offer a place and times of prayer. And shrines typically have a relic or image of a particular saint and are designated as the particular place for public devotion related to that saint. Some shrines are normal parish churches or some are set up specifically to handle many pilgrims. Yet even some others are part of a religious community such as part of a convent or monastery. 

Typically at shrines, you should be able to:

• Attend Mass
• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
• Participate in particular devotions like novenas related to the saint the shrine is named after
• Pray
• See and venerate a saint’s relics

Some shrines offer more such as ministries or services specific to visitors and pilgrims. For more specialized offerings, check out each shrine listed below!

How this Guide to Catholic Shrines in Pennsylvania Works

Listed below is a list of shrines available in Pennsylvania. Addresses are listed with a link to Google Maps. Phone numbers and websites are provided, if available, if you wish to contact the shrine directly or find out more detailed information. Following the basic info are a brief history and summary of the shrine.

If there are particular things of interest for each shrine, those are highlighted as well!

Want to learn more about how to go on more pilgrimages for less time and money? Subscribe to the email list!

Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann

Address: 1233 St. Ann Street, Scranton, PA 18504

Phone: 570-347-5691 (Shrine), 570-342-5166 (Rectory)

Websites:

• Parish: http://stannbasilica.org/
• Monastery and Shrine Basilica: https://www.stannsmonasterybasilica.org/

Started by Passionists fathers at the turn of the 20th century, St. Ann’s is the home of one of their monasteries and the popular novena devotion to St. Ann. In its early years, the monastery was damaged by rock slides resulting from work in the local coal mines of Scranton. In the early 1920’s, a few lay faithful started requesting the rector to hold a weekly novena to honor St. Ann, and the devotion greatly grew resulting in a church being built to accommodate the faithful (“St. Ann’s History, n.d.). To this day, the St. Ann Novena continues and many pilgrims flock to the shrine, especially during the month July when the Feast of St. Ann occurs and a solemn version of the novena is prayed. Through the years, many miracles were attributed to this devotion of the St. Ann Novena. Pope St. John Paul II declared St. Ann’s to be a Minor Basilica on October 27, 1997.

The Basilica features:

• Public devotion: St. Ann Novena and Solemn Novena
• Masses
• Confessions
• Gift shop, especially St. Ann’s oil

Central Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Address: 500 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Phone: 215-848-1010 or Toll Free 1-800-523-3674

Website: https://miraculousmedal.org/

In the mid-1800’s, some Vincentians from the Congregation of the Mission established a seminary chapel to foster vocations. After some years, they planned to build a chapel for their own congregation, but the then-Bishop of Philadelphia asked them to make the chapel public. This chapel became the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. In the early 1900’s, national devotion to the Miraculous Medal blossomed prompting the director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Fr. Skelly, to build a shrine in the Chapel to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (“A Home for Mary, the Miraculous Medal Shrine”, 2020). From completing the shrine, a “Monday Novena” was started by Fr. Skelly as tribute to the Blessed Mother–a devotion that continues today with pilgrims flocking to the Shrine every Monday. 

For more information about the Miraculous Medal, check this out!

This shrine features:

• Public devotion: Perpetual Novena (“Monday Novena”)
• Masses
• Adoration, Confessions
• Group pilgrimages and tours
• Art museum
• Gift shop

National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Also known as the parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Address: 501 Ridge Ave, Allentown, PA 18102

Phone: 610-433-4404 (Rectory)

Website: http://immaculateconceptionallentown.org/index.html

Dedicated on October 25, 1857 by St. John Neumann, then-bishop of Philadelphia, Immaculate Conception parish in Allentown has served the faithful for over 160 years. In the 1970’s, the US Conference of Bishops desired to establish a National Shrine in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the then-pastor of the time, Monsignor Thompson, petitioned the Conference for Immaculate Conception parish to host the shrine. And they agreed. The church became a National Shrine in December of 1974 (“History of Our Church”, n.d.). Inside the church, the faithful and pilgrims can find a portrait of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe over a side altar.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe features:

• Special Mass on December 12, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
• Masses

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Address: 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901

Phone: 215-345-0600

Website: https://czestochowa.us/

Our Lady of Czestochowa is a famous icon of the Blessed Mother and the child Jesus in Czestochowa, Poland. It currently resides in the Jasna Gora monastery and shrine for pilgrims to view and venerate. Many miracles have been attributed to Our Lady of Czestochowa. To read more about the original icon, check out this page!

In the early 1950’s, Fr. Michael Zembruzki from the Pauline Fathers came to the United States with the desire to establish a similar shrine to Jasna Gora. A few years later, a barn chapel was built and dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa (The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, n.d.). Soon pilgrims frequented the chapel to the point that the barn chapel was no longer adequate to host the many pilgrims from America and Poland. The current building and grounds were dedicated in 1966 and designated as a National Shrine in 2009. 

At the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, you can:

• Attend Mass
• Go to Confession
• Group tours and pilgrimages
• Take a virtual tour!
• Join a retreat or stay at the retreat house
• Enjoy Polish food at the deli and cafeteria

National Shrine of St. John Neumann

Address: 1019 N 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19123

Phone: 215-627-3080

Website: https://stjohnneumann.org/

This shrine is dedicated to St. John Neumann, a Redemptorist priest and former bishop of Philadelphia. St. John Neumann is known for helping out European immigrants, building many churches, hospitals, and orphanages (About St. John Neumann, n.d.). In particular, he loved being with the sick and poor. Visitors and pilgrims to this National Shrine can visit and venerate St. John Neumann’s relics. The museum opened in April 2019 and allows visitors to learn St. John Neumann’s story.

At this National Shrine, you can:

• Be blessed with St. John Neumann’s relic
• Attend Mass
• Go to Confession
• Participate in devotions: Rosary, Novenas, Adoration
• Go on retreats
• Visit the museum
• Do tours and pilgrimages
• Visit the gift shop

National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

Address: 1166 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Phone: 215-546-8333

Website: https://www.saintritashrine.org/

Because of the needs of many immigrant families residing in the area in the early 1900’s, with the help of one generous donor and the zeal of the Augustinian Friars and the then-Bishop Patrick Ryan, they established the parish of St. Rita’s. The church nearly closed in the early 1990’s, but the local community pulled together to revitalize it. In the year 2000, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops declared it as the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia (History, The National Shrine of St. Rita Cascia, n.d.). Since then, the shrine has undergone renovations and more buildings added to further outreach to the local community. Many pilgrims and devoted faithful return to the shrine each year on St. Rita’s feast day on May 22 for the Solemn Novena.

To learn more about St. Rita, check this out!

At the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, you can:

• Participate in the Solemn Novena and feast day for St. Rita
• Go on tours and pilgrimages
• Attend a Healing Mass
• Attend normal Masses
• Go to Confession and Adoration
• Visit the Cascia Center for various ministries

Saint Jude Church and Shrine

Address: 321 Butler Ave., Chalfont, PA 18914

Phone: 215-822-0179

Website: https://stjudechalfont.org/

This parish church was established in 1962 on farm land by Archbishop John Krol. The first pastor, Fr. Robert Gregg, desired that the parish be named after St. Jude the Apostle, and also be the regional shrine for St. Jude (St. Jude Church and Shrine, n.d.). Since then, a school was built and the numbers continued to grow. Unfortunately, a fire burned the church to the ground in October of 1982, but members of the community came together to rebuild the church and shrine, which was dedicated on September 23, 1984. Visitors and pilgrims can participate in the usual worship and devotions, novenas, and veneration of St. Jude’s relic offered throughout the week.

Here at St. Jude’s, you can:

• Venerate a relic of St. Jude
• Pray the Solemn Novena or weekly Novena prayers
• Attend Mass
• Go to Confession and Adoration

Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine

As of 2018, the shrine is now part of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, but St. Katharine Drexel’s community can still be found at their house (and former shrine) in Bensalem, PA.

Address: 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone: 215-561-1313

Website: https://www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com/

St. Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint, and she is known for starting the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. She was asked by Pope Leo XIII in Rome to become a missionary (Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine, n.d.). And in her missionary efforts, she particularly served the African American and Native American communities across the United States opening up schools and colleges. Visitors and pilgrims can visit the Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel located inside the Cathedral Basilica.

At the Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine, pilgrims can:

• Go on tours and pilgrimages to the shrine (and cathedral)
• Visit the Cathedral Shop
• Submit prayer intentions and requests
• Participate in the Solemn Novena (starts February 22, ends March 2)
• Participate in weekly Novena prayers on Thursdays
• Go to her Feast Day Mass (March 3)

Saint Anthony’s Chapel (Shrine of Many Relics)

Address: 1704 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Phone: 412-999-4401

Website: https://pghshrines.org/about-st-anthony-chapel

Probably one of those most unique shrines on this guide, St. Anthony’s Chapel is famous for having a collection of over 5000 relics! The only other place in the world with more relics is the Vatican (Shrines of Pittsburgh, n.d.). Fr. Mollinger started construction on the chapel in 1880 as a place to house his collection of relics, which included a first-class relic of St. Anthony of Padua for whom the shrine is named after. In addition to the many relics and reliquaries, the chapel features many decorations imported from Europe evoking beauty and excellent craftsmanship. 

The St. Anthony Chapel features:

• Guided tours and pilgrimages
• Mass
• Confession, Adoration, Novenas, and Stations of the Cross
• Museum and Chapel Shop across the street

Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Found inside of the Mount Saint Macrina House of Prayer.

Address: 500 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401

Phone: 724-438-7149

Website: https://sistersofstbasil.org/ (community website of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great)

Representing the Byzantine expression of the Catholic faith, the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great has a community and house in Uniontown. The main house used to be the J.V. Thompson mansion, and has been converted to useful spaces for visitors and pilgrims to visit (Sisters of St. Basil, 2012). Within the House of Prayer is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine, a beautiful shrine featuring the icon. Each year, the Sisters host a pilgrimage on Labor Day weekend with many activities and spiritual opportunities and is known as the oldest and largest Byzantine Catholic pilgrimage in the USA.

Mount Saint Macrina offers: 

• Virtual tour!
• Pilgrimages
• Gift shop
• Overnight accommodations
• Pilgrimage camping

Other Catholic Churches in Pennsylvania to Visit!

Besides the awesome Catholic shrines in Pennsylvania listed in this guide, you can also visit amazing churches that are worth checking out! See if you can swing by any of these churches listed below on your next pilgrimage to Pennsylvania!

• Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius
  • Religious sisters
  • Adoration Chapel
  • Library
  • Museum
  • 70 acres of grounds
• Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel
  • Masses
  • Adoration
  • Confession
  • Devotions to Our Lady of Loretto
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Masses
  • Perpetual Adoration Chapel
  • Confessions
• National Centre for Padre Pio
  • Group tours and pilgrimages
  • Museum
  • Authentic objects and replicas from St. Padre Pio’s life
  • Outdoor prayer spaces
  • Gift shop
  • Cafe
• St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral
  • Masses (Divine Liturgy)
  • Confessions
• St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica
  • Part of a greater complex/grounds belonging to the Bendictine Monks of St. Vincent which includes the monastery, basilica, seminary, and college

Want to learn more about popular pilgrimages around the world? Be sure to check out the Most Popular Christian Pilgrimages!

Don’t have the money to go on a pilgrimage just yet or still uncomfortable with traveling? Take a virtual one, instead!

Which Pennsylvania shrine are you looking forward to visiting and why? Comment below!

References

A Home for Mary, The Miraculous Medal Shrine. (2020). Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://miraculousmedal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ShrineStory.pdf

About St. John Neumann. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://stjohnneumann.org/our-st-john-neumann/about-st-john-neumann/

History of Our Church. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2020, from http://immaculateconceptionallentown.org/history.html

History, The National Shrine of St. Rita Cascia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.saintritashrine.org/history

Pew Research Center. (2014). June 4-September 30, 2014 — Religious Landscape Study [Data summary]. https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/pennsylvania/

Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine. (n.d.). Interactive timeline. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com/interactive-timeline/

Shrines of Pittsburgh. (n.d.). The Chapel. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://pghshrines.org/the-chapel

Sisters of St. Basil. (2012, July 31). House of Prayer. Retrieved October 02, 2020, from https://sistersofstbasil.org/ministries/house-of-prayer-2/

Smith, W.G. (1911). Pennsylvania. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved September 19, 2020 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11638c.htm

St. Ann’s History. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2020, from https://www.stannsmonasterybasilica.org/st-anns-history.html

St. Jude Church and Shrine. (n.d.). Parish Directory [PDF]. Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/622/documents/2020/1/Parish%20Directory%2001-2020%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. (n.d.). The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Timeline History. Retrieved September 26, 2020, from https://czestochowa.us/about-us/history/

Featured image by Leepaxton / Wikipedia

JR Labio

JR is a full-time engineer working in the aerospace industry. Apart from having such a fly job, he flies unto the arms of Our Lady and the Church pursuing his faith and a relationship with Christ. Over the past several years, faith and flying via pilgrimages became a thing. When he’s not being fly, JR hangs out with family, friends, his chihuahua, and with thoughts of the next trip.

The post Ultimate Guide to Catholic Shrines in Pennsylvania appeared first on Pilgrim for Less.

No problem–you can take a virtual pilgrimage!

What is a virtual pilgrimage?

Because of the Internet, we have access to so much information about our world. With the technology and media available to us, we can “visit” and “see” many of the world’s famous pilgrimage sites without leaving the comfort of home. 

A virtual pilgrimage, then, is an online or electronic trip using technology and media available on the Internet that seeks to simulate the experience of a real pilgrimage.

How can I go on a virtual pilgrimage?

In order to go on a virtual pilgrimage, there are few things required.

Internet Connection

With an Internet connection, you’ll have access to the necessary resources. 

Resources

Using your Internet connection, you can find information and media related to the virtual pilgrimage you would like to take. Hopefully the information touches on good historical info as well as good explanations on why the site has sacred significance through its relics, miracles, or art. Look for the answers to “what happened here?” and “what is this thing I’m looking at?”)

Proper Interior Disposition

One temptation when going on a real pilgrimage that requires travel is to treat it more like a vacation. With a virtual pilgrimage, vacationing is a little less tempting.

Remember that a pilgrimage is an act of devotion to encounter God in real places of sacred significance. Encountering God is the goal, even if done virtually. 

Where can I go on a virtual pilgrimage?

While the list can go on and on for places to go on an actual pilgrimage in “real life”, a few virtual pilgrimages will be featured here below. The reality is that not every pilgrimage site is set up to allow the faithful, curious, and adventurous to visit there virtually.

There are a few ways to go on a virtual pilgrimage in order to see these places.

Interactive

If you want to click around, much like Streetview in Google Maps, then you can enjoy the following:

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This is the largest Catholic church in the western hemisphere, and it is adjacent to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC., USA. On their website, you can take 360 degree virtual tours to see the major sections of the church. You can view the many chapels and oratories found within its Upper and Crypt levels.

Take a virtual tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine here.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

As a fun fact: many of the Christian pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land are maintained and run by the Franciscans. The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC., USA is a monastery that tries to capture the feel of the Holy Land while not actually being in the Holy Land. Their main church replicates the general locations found within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and their Bethlehem Shrine simulates the actual shrine in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity.

To tour the different areas of the monastery, go here.

Video Tour

Some places offer video tours that you can watch. Or sometimes tour or pilgrimage companies put out virtual video tours so that viewers can get a feel of the location. Some content found online are also more like documentaries. If you would like to sample some, here are a few:

Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey

In northeast Oklahoma, in the middle of nowhere, is a huge Benedictine monastery. Over 40 monks live here, and they live out their Benedictine rules with prayer and working on their church of 1000 acre grounds. Their monastery is rather impressive and has been a slow work in progress as they add to it.

You can learn more and see their monastery with the various videos they have on their website.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Located in Vatican City, this church is the largest in the world and is built over the site of St. Peter the Apostle’s grave where he was martyred. These days, the Pope gives public addresses to the faithful and pilgrims in the square a few times a week. Inside are many chapels including one featuring Michaelangelo’s Pieta and Pope St. John Paul II’s tomb. In the crypt level of the Basilica are the tombs of many past popes as well as the bones of St. Peter. Fun fact: when you first walk in, the central aisle down the middle of the church marks the size of other large churches in comparison to St. Peter’s (yes, you can see the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception marked out!).

There’s much to say about the Basilica, but you can view this informative walking tour to get a good general feel of what it’s like to be inside.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

If the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC is a replica, then the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the real deal. Housed within this Church in Jerusalem are the sites of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. These are marked with chapels and monuments. Different parts of the Church are owned by different classic denominations of Christianity like the Catholics, Orthodox, Coptics, and Armenians.

This video tour from the Jerusalem Experience is a great, short and informative tour of the Church.

A shout out

If you’d like to see videos of lesser-known churches, shrines, and sites, especially in the United States, check out Light & Heavy, a YouTube channel done in vlogger style featuring various sites. Give him a subscribe and tell him I sent you!

More resources will be added later or as requested!

How do I make a virtual pilgrimage more spiritual?

Just as some pilgrimage sites make their resources available online, so do religious communities. A religious community would something like a group of monks in a monastery or religious sisters in a convent. As part of their vows, they commit to times of prayer and worship.

Thankfully, some religious communities make these times of prayer and worship available to us, even online.

A personal favorite here at Pilgrim for Less is the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan USA. In the past several years, they have released several CD’s of heavenly-sounding music. In fact, one of their Christmas albums made the top of Billboard’s charts a few years ago! 

Because of COVID-19 in 2020, the Dominican Sisters of Mary have also started live-streaming and recording their hours of prayer and Masses on YouTube. 

Check out their video schedule here.

You can also stream some of their albums on Spotify.

…or sample some tracks here:

With all that said, you can make a virtual pilgrimage more spiritual by incorporating sacred music or times of prayer with a religious community.

Another great way is to pray for others! Using your contact list or social media, ask how you can pray for others on your virtual pilgrimage. This is what I do before every pilgrimage.

Other Resources

Before the age of YouTube, taking an online virtual pilgrimage was limited to interactive websites that use sounds, pictures, and text to share the experience. One such site is Good News Ministries’ Virtual Pilgrimage through the Homeland of Jesus. Check it out to follow along with a pilgrimage group in 1998.

Another type of virtual pilgrimage are ministries/apostolates that you can ask to bring the virtual experience in-person to you. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality does just that in order to recreate the Lourdes pilgrimage experience without you ever leaving home. Check them out to learn more.

Bottom Line

With the realization that normal pilgrimages often take lots of time and money, a virtual pilgrimage can be a great way to still experience a pilgrimage site without spending a lot.

And as this article was written amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual pilgrimages are a great activity and solution to still have a pilgrimage experience without leaving the house as most of these places are probably closed in real life to help prevent the virus from spreading.

For parents with young kids at home, a virtual pilgrimage can be a great way to show the beauty of the Christian faith from the comfort of home.

Don’t delay–go on a virtual pilgrimage today!

Where do you want to go on a virtual pilgrimage? Comment below!

For more tips on how to go on more pilgrimages for less time and less money, subscribe to my email list, below!

Featured Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels

JR Labio

JR is a full-time engineer working in the aerospace industry. Apart from having such a fly job, he flies unto the arms of Our Lady and the Church pursuing his faith and a relationship with Christ. Over the past several years, faith and flying via pilgrimages became a thing. When he’s not being fly, JR hangs out with family, friends, his chihuahua, and with thoughts of the next trip.

The post Can’t leave the house? Take a Virtual Pilgrimage! appeared first on Pilgrim for Less.

With the information below, you’ll be able to learn about some of the most popular places to go on pilgrimage as a Christian including how to to travel to these places, and what to see and do as a pilgrim. Armed with this knowledge, you can take the next steps to go on your next pilgrimage! And hopefully, for less time and less money!

Are you prepared for your next pilgrimage? Don’t forget to bring the essentials! Sign up below and receive your pilgrim packing list!

Introduction

Christianity has been around for around 2000 years. A longstanding tradition and devotion in the faith is that of pilgrimage. Going on a pilgrimage lets you encounter the divine and sacred as a metaphor for your own earthly journey towards heaven. Even if you could care less about the spiritual side of pilgrimages, visiting pilgrimage sites is still an edifying and enriching experience for art, history, and culture.

You can read more on the definition of pilgrimage here.

When Christians go on pilgrimage, they go in order to walk in the footsteps of our Lord (in some places, literally!) as well as the holy men and women who have come before. Many times, the Church preserves the remains or artifacts of holy people, otherwise known as relics, and sacred places often house these relics. More information about relics can be found here. Sometimes, miracles occur or the Virgin Mary appears, and these places become popular sites of pilgrimage.

Because of Christianity’s history throughout the world, we have many sacred sites of significance. I want to highlight the top or most popular Christian pilgrimage sites here, below.

Some things to note about this post:

• Use the table of contents above to navigate to what you want to see
• I try to link to official websites, some of which may not be in English. Use the Google Chrome browser to easily translate webpages as you’re browsing
• Some of the information below may be subject to change–let me know if something is out of date!

Let’s go!

Israel

Located in the Middle East, Israel is known as the “Holy Land” because of its many sacred sites of importance in Christianity, but also Judaism and Islam as well. Many (uh, all???) Old Testament stories played out in or around Israel, and following the life of Christ in the New Testament, it is very obvious that Israel is the setting for Jesus Christ’s life.

Bethlehem

Every Christmas season, we often hear and sing about this “little town”. It is located in the central part of Israel, just south of Jerusalem. The name “Bethlehem” means “house of bread” in Hebrew (Arbez, 2019). If you need a refresher on what the song sounds like (even if it’s August right now), check out Nat King Cole’s version for those modern classic feels.

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Bethlehem?

The reason why Bethlehem is famous is because it is THE birthplace of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and Mary headed to Bethlehem to enroll in Caesar Augustus’ census while Mary was about to give birth. She ended up delivering Jesus in a cave in Bethlehem and laid him in a manger, a food trough for animals, because they couldn’t find proper lodging. You can read the full Nativity account here.

Most people visit Bethlehem in order to experience the birthplace of Christ firsthand. The Nativity accounts in the Bible and the songs we sing at Christmas come alive when visiting this “little town of Bethlehem.” 

If infertility is a struggle, then a pilgrimage to the Milk Grotto is a great reason for couples to visit Bethlehem because of the associated miracles related to it in being able to conceive.

Additionally, Bethlehem is rich in Palestinian culture, and local museums showcase its history and culture.

How to Travel to Bethlehem

Bethlehem is located just south of Jerusalem.

Fly

Land at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel. From there, you can take mass transportation or rent a car.

The following major airlines fly to TLV:

The full list of airlines can be found on Ben Gurion Airport’s website here.

Rental Cars

The following major rental car companies are available at Ben Gurion Airport:

• Avis
• Budget
• Hertz

Once you have your rental car, you can take Route 443 or Route 1 towards Jerusalem before switching to Route 50 to head down south to Bethlehem. Here are Google Maps directions from TLV to Bethlehem.

Mass Transportation

From Tel Aviv…

You can take buses and trams to Jerusalem and make transfers to get to Bethlehem. For directions, check out: Google Maps

From Jerusalem…

The 231 bus can get you from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Depending on where you originate from in Jerusalem, you may need to take other buses to get to the HaNevi’im Terminal for Bus 231. For directions, be sure to look at: Google Maps

*NOTE* Regardless of how you get to Bethlehem, bring your passport because there are checkpoints in and out of the city. Subject to security screenings.

How to Get Around Bethlehem

Taxi

Because Bethlehem is relatively small as a city, taxis can be a cheap way to get around. Negotiating or haggling a good price with the taxi driver is often a necessity in order to secure a good deal. Also, be firm and ensure that your driver takes you where you want to go. Otherwise you may end up on a tour you didn’t ask for! More helpful details and cautionary tips at Wikitravel.

Walk

For the adventurous pilgrim, Bethlehem is doable by walking in order to see its popular sites. Be prepared for the local weather and differences in elevation.

What Can You Visit In Bethlehem as a Pilgrim?

Church of the Nativity

First and foremost is the Church of the Nativity. This is the church built over the site of where the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus (Caldwell, 2017). Within it is the Grotto of the Nativity with words inscribed that marks the exact spot Jesus was born. 

Despite wars, rebellions, and multiple renovations, the church still stands. According to Caldwell (2017), the original church built Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D. was destroyed, and the current one still standing is from Emperor Justinian who built it in 529 A.D. The church is shared and administered by different Christian and Orthodox groups and is also significant to Islam due to its connection to Jesus.

Chapel of the Milk Grotto

Located near the Church of the Nativity, the Milk Grotto marks a spot where Mary supposedly nursed Jesus while feeling to Egypt. You can read about the flight to Egypt here.

According to tradition, while Mary was nursing Jesus, a few drops of her milk fell to the ground. The Milk Grotto is the location with a church built over that spot (The Catholic Review, 2012). The first structure over the grotto was built in 385 A.D.

The “milk powder” from the limestone in the grotto is attributed to allowing many infertile couples to conceive. Many women come here on pilgrimage to pray for children, and many often return to the grotto after their children are born as a prayer of thanksgiving.

The Cave of St. Jerome

St. Jerome is famous for being the first to translate Sacred Scripture from Greek and Hebrew into Latin. He lived in the late 4th century (“Bethlehem”, n.d.). The Cave where he carried out most of his work is located beneath the Church of St. Catherine, which is the official Catholic parish in Bethlehem. 

Other Local Attractions in Bethlehem

Palestinian Heritage Center

The Palestinian Heritage Center is located in northern Bethlehem. The Center seeks to promote and preserve Palestinian culture through embroidery and dressmaking, and it offers workshops, lectures, shows, and other events for visitors. One really cool aspect is that most of the embroidery and dresses are crafted by local women in nearby villages and refugee camps, and  the Center provides the means which these handcrafted items can be sold so that these women can support their families. 

Learn more about the Palestinian Heritage Center on their website (English and Arabic).

International Nativity Museum

This museum is hosted by the historic Salesian convent in Bethlehem, and is located near the Church of the Nativity, a few blocks to the west. Most notable about the museum is its collection of over 200 cribs of different styles from all over the world. Being able to see Nativity scenes expressed in a wide range of various cultures is a must see!

Learn more about the International Nativity Museum here (English).

Jerusalem

The city of Jerusalem is famous for so many reasons! Jerusalem is widely regarded as one of the holiest places on the planet because of how much religious significance it has. It has great importance to all three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is where multiple significant events illustrated in the Old Testament occurred, and many events in the life of Christ happened in Jerusalem as well, including the Last Supper, Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Christian pilgrims can literally put themselves in some of the scenes from the Bible and walk in the footsteps of Christ.

To be honest, Jerusalem would be the quintessential pilgrimage. Probably the most popular Christian pilgrimage of them all!

Because of its sacred significance for Jews, Muslims, and Chrisitians, visitors can experience Jerusalem’s multicultural richness. Many would also argue that it’s a great place to experience food!

How to Travel to Jerusalem

Jerusalem is located in central Israel, almost halfway between the Mediterranean and Dead Seas.

Fly

Land at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel. From there, you can take mass transportation or rent a car.

The following major airlines fly to TLV:

The full list of airlines can be found on Ben Gurion Airport’s website here.

Rental Cars

The following major rental car companies are available at Ben Gurion Airport:

• Avis
• Budget
• Hertz

Once you have your rental car, you can take Route 1 or Route 443 towards Jerusalem. Get driving directions here from TLV to Jerusalem.

Mass Transportation

Buses, taxis, and trains will get you from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Note that taxis will be the most expensive option. You can find directions at the following: Google Maps

How to Get Around Jerusalem

Walking

This is probably the best way to get around the city. Most things within the Old City are within walking distance.

Taxi

Taxi cabs are fairly convenient and you can easily hail one from the street. Ensure that your driver turns on the meter (U.S. News, n.d.). Watch out during the Sabbath (Friday-Saturday) because fares will be a little more expensive.

What Can You Visit in Jerusalem as a Pilgrim?

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This church contains the tomb of Jesus Christ where his body was laid after His Crucifixion and death. According to McMahon (1910), the location of the Holy Sepulchre was passed down orally until Emperor Constantine decided to build a church over the site in 326 A.D. 

Inside the church, you can visit Jesus’ tomb and the spot where the Crucifixion occurred since the church encompasses both places. Also within the church are many chapels, some of which are dedicated to the events of Jesus’ Passion because they mark where they happened! 

One thing to note about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is that multiple Christian ecclesial communities have ownership of the church as well as the many different chapels found within. The primary owners of the church are the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Armendian Orthodox churches (See the Holy Land, 2019). Other Christian communities have permission or rights to operate some of the chapels. With the variety of Christian expressions found within the church, pilgrims and visitors can enjoy the different art styles in decor.

Via Dolorosa

The Passion of Christ is Jesus’ suffering and journey from His trial to His burial. A popular devotion related to the Passion is the Via Dolorosa (or “Way of Suffering”/”Sorrowful Way”) or otherwise known as the “Stations of the Cross” where Christians meditate on the different events of the Passion (Hunter-Kilmer, 2019). In Jerusalem, you can actually walk along a set path visiting the places where these events or stations occurred. 

You can read the Biblical account of the Passion in Mark 14-15, Matthew 26-27, Luke 22-23, and John 12-19.

The 14 Stations of the Cross are:

1. Jesus is condemned to death
2. Jesus carries His cross
3. Jesus falls the first time
4. Jesus meets His afflicted mother
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross
6. Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus
7. Jesus falls a second time
8. Jesus speaks to the holy women
9. Jesus falls the third time
10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
12. Jesus dies on on the Cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb/sepulchre (EWTN, n.d)

In Jerusalem, these stations are marked via signs. For more information, check out See the Holy Land’s page on the Via Dolorosa.

Other pilgrimage sites in Jerusalem are the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary at the Church of the Dormition, the Cenacle or site of the Last Summer, and King David’s tomb.

Other Local Attractions in Jerusalem

Old City

Within the heart of Jerusalem is the Old City, a walled-off area representing the heart of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religions. The Old City has four distinct quarters: the Jewish Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter (Tourist Israel, 2018). Within the Old City, you can find the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (mentioned above). You can also visit the Wailing Wall, which is the last remaining wall of the Temple, the holiest site for Jews. And lastly, you can also visit and see the Dome of the Rock, where Muslims believe that Muhammad rose to heaven.

Yad Vashem

This museum serves as the memorial to the millions of Jews who perished during World War II in the Holocaust. The complex has multiple buildings, but its main building is the Holocaust History Museum, which details the history of the Holocasut with artifacts, films, videos, photographs, and art (Lonely Planet, n.d.-b). Other areas of the complex include the Hall of Names, Museum of Holocaust Art, a synagogue, Exibitions Paviliion, Hall of Remembrance, the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations, Cattle Car Memorial, and Children’s Memorial. Spanning over many acres, Yad Veshem offers pilgrims and visitors alike a full day’s worth of diving deep into the history of the Holocaust.

More information can be found here at their website: yadvashem.org

Nearby

On the eastern side of Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet. Contrary to the name, it is not just one mountain but rather a range of hills (Souvay, 1911). For Christians, we know the Mount of Olives as a frequent mountain that Jesus went to in order to pray and from other small scenes from the Gospels.

The Dead Sea is southeast of Jerusalem. It is the lowest point on the surface of Earth. Also near the Dead Sea is the archaeological site Masada. Both the Dead Sea and Masada would make a great day trip from Jerusalem.

Europe

While the Christian faith finds its origin in Israel, Europe is where it spread and blossomed into western civilization. Besides having a lot of awesome saints, really cool churches, Europe is also home to some popular Marian apparitions, or places/events where the Virgin Mary appeared leading to universal devotion. All in all, Europe is probably second to being the most popular continent for Christian pilgrimages.

Rome, Italy / Vatican City

So much can be said of Rome! It is the capital of Italy. It was also the center of the ancient Roman Empire. As such, the “Eternal City” has so much history related to the former Empire as well as the struggling and suffering Christendom through the ages. On my first tour of Rome, the tour guide said it is like a cake or onion with so many layers of culture and history.

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Rome and Vatican City?

For Christianity, it is important to know that Sts. Peter and Paul died in Rome and are both known as patrons of the city. Many famous saints are also buried or entombed in Rome. Major basilicas and other famous churches can also be found within the city,

Within Rome is Vatican City, which is technically its own city-state. Vatican City is central to Catholicism because the Pope lives there but also houses Peter the Apostle’s remains and the Sistine Chapel. The City is named after one of Rome’s hills, which it sits upon.

Rome has an incredibly rich history and there is no shortage of things to see and experience. Because of Rome’s influence on the world, it is also possible to experience and encounter other cultures within the city. With ancient ruins and magnificent architecture, Rome is also a treat for the eyes. 

Vatican City plays a huge role in Catholicism being where the Pope resides and operates. Tourists and pilgrims can see and hear the Pope on Wednesdays for his General Audiences where he offers a lesson, and on Sundays for the Angelus, a popular devotion followed by a short lesson or homily. Major events like saint canonizations and feast days are also celebrated publically at the Vatican.

How to Travel to Rome / Vatican City

Fly

You can fly to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, also known as Rome-Fiumicino International Airport (FCO). One thing to note is that it is closer to the coast than the city of Rome itself, which is about 20 miles away. 

The following major airlines fly to FCO:

For the full list of airlines, check out Fiumicino airport’s page.

Car Rental

The following major car rental companies at FCO are:

• Avis
• Europcar
• Hertz

Go here to search for available car rentals using FCO’s website.

Train

This is probably the easiest way to get to the city from the airport. Trenitalia operates trains between the airport and the city. Get the latest info and order tickets at their website (English). For most pilgrims and tourists, the main train stop in Rome is Roma Termini station. Purchase your tickets at a counter or use a kiosk at the airport.

You can also take the train to the Vatican with a change of trains at Roma Ostiense with a final stop at Roma S. Pietro station.

How to Get Around Rome and Vatican City

Subway/Metro

Rome has a metro system that makes it easy to travel within the city. To get to the Vatican using the subway, use the red line and get off at the Ottaviano stop.

Purchase your tickets at the stations or at tobacco shops.

Go here for a map of the metro system.

Trams

Another way to get around the city is via the trams or cable cars. To get to the Vatican, take Line 19 and get off at Piazza Risorgimento.

You can purchase your tickets at tobacco shops, stations, or probably from your hotel.

Click here for a map of the tram system.

Buses

Lastly, you can also take buses around the city. For the latest route and ticket information, check out the official site for Rome’s buses.

Walk

For everything in-between, you can walk. Rome is a fairly large city, and because its famous sites are somewhat spread out, it is recommended that you mix both mass transportation and walking. On the other hand, Vatican City is so small, you can easily walk from place to place within its boundaries.

What Can You Visit in Vatican City as a Pilgrim?

All visitors and pilgrims are subject to a security search before entering St. Peter’s Square. Additionally, dress code and what you can bring with use is restricted. More information here.

St. Peter’s Basilica

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The Basilica of St. Peter is the most obvious place to visit since most of the publicly accessible area of the Vatican is at the Basilica. This basilica is also the largest Christian church in the world! Before even entering the gargantuan edifice is St. Peter’s Square marked by a large area encircled by “arms” containing two large fountains and an obelisk. 

Many pilgrims attend General Audiences (Wednesdays) and the Angelus (Sundays) with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. Also, canonizations and other major liturgical celebrations are also held in the Square. You can check out the Vatican’s event calendar for the latest.

Inside has multiple chapels lining its walls. Two of note has Michaelangelo’s Pieta and one is the tomb of Pope St. John Paul the Great (aka JP2 or John Paul II).

Down the center, marked on the floor, are the sizes of other large churches in the world. This shows the relative sizes to the Basilica–they can all be contained within!

In the very back is the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, which contains the literal chair that St. Peter used as first Pope. Another notable feature is the Holy Spirit stained glass window in the back that shines a brilliant fiery glow when it catches the sun just right.

Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica is the crypt level where many past Popes are buried. And in another section of the crypt level, in the center of the building, is where St. Peter’s remains are located (Baumgarten, 1912). Also in the crypt level, you can see parts of the old Basilica.

You can also climb the dome/cupola and experience fantastic views of Vatican City and Rome.

Vatican Museum

Adjacent to St. Peter’s Basilica is the Vatican Museum. Inside is an incredible collection of art and history throughout the ages. You can see many ancient and famous works including that of Michaelangelo, Rafael and Bernini. Also on display are many Roman sculptures and other artifacts. The primary purpose of the museum is to aid in evangelization through art so therefore most things to look at and view are meant to evoke the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Christian faith and God’s creation.

For more information about the Vatican Museum, check out their website at MuseiVaticani.com (English).

Sistine Chapel

This chapel is connected to the Vatican Museum, and most tours through the Museum end at the Sistine Chapel. The Chapel is famous because it contains two of Michaelangelo’s famous works: the ceiling, and the Last Judgment against the back wall.

The Sistine Chapel is also famous for when it comes time to elect a new pope. For a papal election, cardinals from all over the world gather at the Sistine Chapel to prayerfully discern who among them will be the next Pope.

The chapel is often kept dim in order to preserve the paintings. Pictures and videos are not allowed inside, and security officers ensure the rules are followed as well as to maintain a sense of silence. 

The Vatican Museum has more info on the Sistine Chapel here.

What Can You Visit in Rome as a Pilgrim?

The Catacombs

In the early days of Christianity in Rome, the Christians buried their dead and martyrs outside of the city. They dug huge networks of subterranean burial grounds modeled after Jewish catacombs (Waal, 1908). Most of these catacombs started out as a family vault, and were later expanded as time went on. Within 300 years, about 50 catacombs were constructed around the city of Rome.

Today, you can visit the catacombs and see where Christians were formerly buried as well as leftover artifacts like paintings, inscriptions, and sarcophagi. The major catacombs around Rome are the catacombs of St. Callixtus, St. Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla, St. Agnes, and  Sts. Marcellino and Pietro (Vatican, n.d.). Some smaller catacombs are attached to basilicas and churches around Rome, and some of these are not open to the public.

For more information on visiting the major catacombs, check out the Vatican’s webpage with hours, links, contact info, and mass transportation information.

Literally any church

If you ever get a chance to explore the city of Rome on foot, you’re more than likely to run into many churches scattered throughout the city. Most churches have the effect of looking drab and unimpressive on the outside, but once you step inside, many are quite splendid and awe-inspiring.

In Rome, you can also visit:

• The four major basilicas: St. John Lateran (also Rome’s cathedral), St. Mary Major, St. Peter In Chains, and St. Paul Outside the Walls
• Churches and chapels that house relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ
• Churches and chapels that contain famous saints, whether entombed or buried
• Monasteries and convents
• Seminaries and universities like the North American College and the Angelicum

Other Local Attractions in Rome

The Colosseum

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Most people know and understand the Colosseum as the place where gladiatorial combat occurred in ancient Rome. Amazingly, the amphitheater still stands today. There are some conflicting accounts whether early Christians suffered martyrdom in the Colosseum, but in either case, it is also considered sacred ground (Hassett, 1908). Undoubtedly, much blood was spilled in the arena. 

For more information on visiting the Colosseum, check out its webpage (English).

Trevi Fountain

One of Rome’s most well-known fountains, the Trevi Fountain is a wonder to behold. It is located in the Trevi district, and it stands 85 feet tall and 160 feet wide (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2017). In its center, it features the statue of Oceanus on stop of a chariot pulled by sea horses. 

Tradition holds that if you throw coins over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome again. (Short Story: I did that in July 2016…and totally returned unexpectedly in September 2016!)

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More information about the Trevi Fountain can be found here (English).

The Pantheon

Another iconic landmark in Rome, the Pantheon is an ancient temple formerly dedicated for the worship of every god. However, in 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV converted it to a Christian church so it also is now known as the church of St. Mary and the Martyrs (History.com Editors, 2018). Mass is regularly said here. 

Inside the Pantheon is a fantastic view of its domed ceiling featuring an opening or oculus. Sometimes when it is raining, the center of the marble floor is roped off to prevent slipping by tourists. If you happen to visit during Pentecost, the Pantheon celebrates by dropping rose petals from the ceiling. 

For more information about the Pantheon, visit here (English).

Other popular tourist attractions in Rome are:

• The Roman Forum
• Trastevere 
• The Appian Way
• The Spanish Steps
• Piazza della Repubblica
• Piazza del Popolo
• Circus Maximus
• Castel Sant’Angelo
• Tiber River

Note: Some of these places have famous piazzas or plazas as well

Camino de Santiago

The “Way of St. James” or Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimages. Not specifically a site, but rather a long, walking journey with multiple paths arriving at the Cathedral of St. James in Compostela in Galicia, Spain where St. James the Apostle is buried. Because of how famous and old it is, the Camino de Santiago is a very established pilgrimage. In fact, when most Christians talk about going on a pilgrimage, this is probably what they’re thinking about! (if not the Holy Land or Italy!).

Why Go On Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago?

In the pilgrimage blogosphere, many people offer their own insights as to why they go on the Camino de Santiago. However, I think the Camino de Santiago is less about making it to the Cathedral than the journey that it takes to get there.

WIth the Camino de Santiago, people put the idea of pilgrimage into action. They are motivated by personal encounter and discovery. Or they simply want to experience the challenge of walking many miles.

Or maybe most people just want to see the Botafumeiro!

How to Travel to (and on) the Camino de Santiago

Technically (or rather, traditionally), you could just walk out your front door and go!

There are multiple routes that head towards Santiago de Compostela. Two of the most popular are:

• Camino Frances, which starts in France
• Camino Portugeus, which starts in Portugal

The Camino de Santiago is typically a walking pilgrimage. However, you can bike it too.

Depending on your chosen route will determine where you fly to and other forms of transportation to get to your starting point.

Here’s a useful website on its different routes at FollowTheCamino.com.

What Can You Visit and See as a Pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago?

Depending on your chosen route, you may experience different things. But generally, there are churches and monasteries to visit along with many little towns. Typically, most pilgrims stay in hostels specifically catered to pilgrims on the Camino.

Because of its popularity, it is easy to meet other “peligrinos” or pilgrims along the way. Not all pilgrims are necessarily on pilgrimage for Christian reasons. 

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

This cathedral is where all of the pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago strive towards arriving at in order to complete their pilgrimage. Construction began in 1075 and continued into the next century (Catedral de Santiago, n.d.). However, over the following centuries, other developments changed its original architectural style throughout.

Pilgrims and visitors can see the following facades outside of the cathedral:

• Obradoiro
• Azabacheria
• Platerias

Inside the cathedral, you can see:

• The Cloister
• The Botafumeiro (see below)
• The Portico of Glory
• The Treasury
• Multiple chapels dedicated to different saints; have artistic significance; or have relics

If you can catch Vespers (Evening Prayer) on a Friday night or on a holy day, you can see the world’s largest incensor, the Botafumeiro. It takes multiple altar boys or friars to swing!

Other Local Attractions In Santiago de Compostela

Monastery of St. Martin Pinario

A huge monastery founded by Benedictine monks located near the Cathedral at the Plaza de la Immaculada. It has an impressive facade, and it contains multiple chapels and altars. The choir stalls for the monks are considered important due to their designer and design (Turismo de Santiago, n.d.-a). Visitors and pilgrims can also partake in the museum that is part of the monastery. Also available are different exhibits displaying art.

More information about the Monastery can be found at Santiago’s tourism site (English), and the official website (Spanish).

Parque de la Alameda

Located near the Cathedral, Alemeda Park is a large park in the central part of the city. It has historically been the point of reference for citizens of Santiago and a great place for a stroll. Many historical monuments and artistic elements can be found within the park (Turismo de Santiago, n.d.-b). The park also features many different species of trees and shrubs.

More information at Alemeda’s official website.

Lourdes, France

This little town in southern France near the Spanish border is famous for the apparition of the Virgin Mary known as Our Lady of Lourdes. In this event, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl named Bernadette.

St. Bernadette was a sickly child when she was young. In the mid-1800’s, the Virgin Mary appeared to her in a grotto. Bernadette kept returning to the grotto, and the Virgin Mary kept appearing for her. In these visions, the Virgin Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, and she also instructed St. Bernadette to drink from the waters of the grotto resulting in her sickness being cured. 

The grotto where Our Lady of Lourdes appeared is a very famous place of pilgrimage.

To read up more on St. Bernadette’s story and Our Lady of Lourdes, check out this page.

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Lourdes?

Because many, many miraculous healings have occurred from the waters of the grotto, many pilgrims flock to Lourdes to drink it and be healed. Friends who have been told me that you can actually see wheelchairs, crutches, and other medical devices that people have left behind at the Sanctuary because they have been healed!

Other pilgrims also have a devotion to St. Bernadette and/or the Virgin Mary. And visiting Lourdes allows for really entering into the life of St. Bernadette and the visions and encounters she had with the Virgin Mary.

How to Travel To Lourdes

Lourdes is a small town in southern France near the border of Spain. Because of that, it is a little more challenging for travel.

Fly

Most would probably fly to Paris (CDG) then hop on another plane to fly to Lourdes (LDE), Pau (PUF), or Toulouse (TLS). If not flying directly to Lourdes, other forms of transportation are necessary.

The following major airlines fly to CDG:

For the full list of airlines that fly to CDG, check out this page.

Connecting flights to other airports closer to Lourdes are likely on Air France. Other European carriers may originate outside of France with direct flights to Lourdes, Toulouse, and Pau.

Car Rental

The following rental car companies are available at CDG:

• Avis
• Dollar
• Hertz
• Europcar

If you’re driving from Paris to Lourdes, be aware that it is about an 8 hour drive. You can take the A10 or A20 highways south and then use A64 to go towards Lourdes. 

Driving directions here (Google Maps).

Train

Paris > Lourdes (Google Maps)

Pau > Lourdes (Google Maps)

Toulouse > Lourdes (Google Maps)

For tickets, visit SNCF’s official site. (English)

How to Get Around Lourdes

Walk

Lourdes is a small city, so most places are easily walkable. The Sanctuary of Lourdes has all the major pilgrim sites grouped together. 

Little Train

For a 45 minute tour around the city with different stops, you can ride the Little Train of Lourdes. 

For more information, including prices, check out the Lourdes Pass website (English).

What Can You Visit as a Pilgrim at Lourdes?

Grotto of Massabielle

The grotto is the main highlight of visiting Lourdes because that is where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette. Pilgrims are able to visit all throughout the day, and Mass is offered daily (Best Catholic Pilgrimages, n.d.). The spring that feeds the waters of the grotto is also easily accessible, and is believed to have healing powers that cure sickness, disease, and other medical issues like it did for St. Bernadette. Many pilgrims drink the water or collect it to bring home.

Nearby Churches at the Sanctuary of Lourdes

Right next to the grotto is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary or Rosary Basilica. It can seat up to 4,000 people and has 15 chapels dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the Rosary (Best Catholic Pilgrimages, n.d.). Visitors can enjoy its Roman-Byzantine architectural style.

Across the plaza is the Basilica of St. Pius X. It is one of the largest churches in the world able to hold as many as 20,000 people (Best Catholic Pilgrimages, n.d.). Inside is a very large underground chamber with a concrete roof in an oval shape.

Visit the official site for more information (English/French).

The Way of the Cross / Le Chemin De Croix

Located across from the Sanctuary of Lourdes, the Way of the Cross on Spelonche Hill features beautiful outdoor stations for the faithful to do The Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross. 

Information from the Lourdes tourism site here (French).

Other Local Attractions in Lourdes

Château Fort de Lourdes

Besides the iconic basilicas at the Sanctuary, another feature in the landscape at Lourdes is the Chateau Fort. It is a fortified castle from the Middle Ages. Much of its history has been lost due to sieges, but tourists and pilgrims can still enjoy its walls and excellent views of the Sanctuary.

Visit the official site for more information (English).

Birthplace of St. Bernadette

The “Casa Natal Bernadette” is not too far away from the Sanctuary, and it is the mill where St. Bernadette was born. While it doesn’t offer much in terms of things to look at, it does provide excellent history on the life of Bernadette and her family. You can visit it on your own or take a tour via the Information Center at the Sanctuary.

Information and location at Lourdes’ tourism site (French).

Fatima, Portugal

Located in central Portugal, Fatima is the site of a major Marian apparition known as Our Lady of Fatima. In the early 1900’s, the Virgin Mary appeared to three young children. Their names are Francisco Marto, Jacinta Marto, and Lucia dos Santos. 

In their visions of the Virgin Mary, they received multiple prophecies and messages. One of these messages was that a miracle would happen. This miracle became known as the Miracle of the Sun where many reported to see the sun dancing in the sky. To read up more on this miracle, check out this article from the Catholic Herald.

The other famous messages given by Our Lady of Fatima to the three children are three different “secrets”. The Vatican website provides a comprehensive explanation and commentary on the message of Fatima by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

What’s pretty cool about Fatima is that this is a modern site of a Marian apparition since it happened in the early 1900’s.

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Fatima?

Pilgrims with a devotion to the Virgin Mary can experience a very real and recent site associated with a Marian apparition at Fatima. With the recent canonization of Francisco and Jacinta in 2017 as saints, pilgrims can also learn the context and history of their lives, including Lucia’s. 

While Fatima may mostly be known for its religious sites, it does offer many places for the faithful pilgrim. The region surrounding Fatima is also full of beautiful landscapes, caves, hills, and medieval history making any trip or pilgrimage to Fatima a real treat.

How to Travel to Fatima

Fly

For most people who live outside of Portugal, you would need to fly to Lisbon’s Portela Airport (LIS). 

The following major airlines fly to LIS:

The full list of airlines can be found on Portela Airport’s website here.

Another option is to fly to Madrid, Spain (MAD) and take other forms of transportation to get to Fatima.

Car

Assuming you fly to LIS, Fatima is still a little over an hour drive from Lisbon.

At Portela Airport, the following popular rental car companies are available:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Enterprise
• National
• Hertz
• Thrifty
• Dollar

Portela Airport’s rental car web page provides the full list, hours, and contact information.

Take the A1 highway and exit for Fatima. Signs should point you to the Sanctuary.

Get driving directions here from Portela Airport to Fatima.

Bus

Rede Expressos is a coach bus company that can take you from Lisbon to Fatima. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and tickets cost 12 Euros and up. 

To book a ticket, check out their official website (English).

How To Get Around Fatima

If you arrive with your own rental car, you can use that to get around Fatima. 

Otherwise…

Mini-train

A fun way to get around Fatima is via the mini-train. It has an hour-long route that takes you between the bus station, north and south of the Sanctuary, Way of the Cross, the houses of the 3 Fatima children, and the parish church of Fatima. 

For the map, fare information, and timetable, check out their website: comboiodefatima.pt (English).

Taxis

Two major taxi companies operate in Fatima. Check out their Facebook business pages:

Taxis Fatima

Taxis Central de Fatima

Walk

Once you’re in the vicinity of the Sanctuary, most other sites and local attractions are within walking distance. Ok, so maybe it’s a long walking distance–bring your good walking shoes!

What Can You Visit as a Pilgrim in Fatima?

Sanctuary of Fatima

One of the requests that Our Lady had for Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta was to have a chapel built at the location where she was appearing to the children. In response, a little chapel was built in her honor. Over time, due to the influx of pilgrims, the shrine was built around the chapel. 

The shrine serves to spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima and preserve the history of the miracles that transpired there. Visitors can visit the on-site museum, view temporary exhibitions, and the library.

For pilgrims, the shrine offers multiple liturgical celebrations and Masses, and Rosary prayer times as well. 

The shrine is actually home to multiple basilicas and chapels comprising the shrine complex. You can check out and visit the following:

• Chapel of the Apparitions
• Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima
• Basilica of the Holy Trinity
• Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
• And more!

For pilgrims and groups, the shrine also has retreat houses for those on retreat:

• Retreat House of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
• Retreat House of Our Lady of Sorrows

If you’d like to learn more, the shrine offers a great website with more places to see, resources for pilgrims, lists of events, and background history. Check it out here (English).

Other Local Attractions in Fatima

The Children’s Houses

Located about 2 km southeast from the shrine, the houses of Jacinta and Francisco as well as Lucia are available to visit in the town of Aljustrel.

Museu de Cera Fatima / Museum of Wax of Fatima

This wax museum depicts the main events of the miracle of Fatima. It features 32 scenes, 120 figures, and 34 years worth of history. Visitors and pilgrims alike can appreciate the story of Fatima contextualized in wax form.

For information and tickets to help you plan your visit, check out the museum’s website (English).

Castelo de Ourem / Ourem Castle

To the northeast of Fatima is the city of Ourem. This former medieval town features a hilltop castle. The castle was formerly a Muslim fortification but reconquered in 1136 (Go Discover Portugal, 2014). The castle was rebuilt in the 15th century with Italian influence and architectural style, and it is now considered one of the most beautiful castles in Portugal, especially with its hilltop vantage point.

Monumento Natural das Pegadas dos Dinossaurios da Serra de Aire / Natural Monument of the Dinosaur Footprints

Southeast of Fatima is this monument with dinosaur footprints. It has well-preserved dinosaur tracks of large four-legged sauropods. Visitors can visit the site on their own or with a tour.

Official website here (Portuguese), but you may find the TripAdvisor listing to be more helpful.

North America

While most people don’t usually think of North America when thinking about going on pilgrimages, it does have its own sites of religious significance across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Thanks to European influence and immigration throughout North America’s history, not only did the Europeans bring their people and culture but their Christian faith as well.

Mexico City, Mexico

The Virgin Mary once appeared to a young native man named Juan Diego in the mid-1500s. She asked him to have a church built for her. However, he had many doubts and worries including taking care of his sick uncle and encountering difficulty in getting the local bishop to agree. In the end, Juan Diego carried out the Virgin Mary’s wishes and as proof to the bishop of her wishes, the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on Juan Diego’s tilma or cloak. Because of Juan Diego’s faith and the desires of the Virgin Mary for others to become disciples of Christ, many converted to Christianity. To this day, the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is very popular, and she is beloved among Hispanics.

If you would like to watch a PBS kid’s show telling of the story starring a dog, which this episode is basically responsible for helping me learn this story, check out this YouTube video. (Aside: it’s also a sweet Mother’s Day episode!)

Why Go On Pilgrimage to Mexico City?

Pilgrims should definitely visit the Basilica of Sancta Maria de Guadalupe in order to see the tilma and image as an opportunity to pray. With the Metropolitan Cathedral and other old churches in town, Mexico City is an excellent site for pilgrimage.

Mexico City also has much to offer in terms of culture. Visitors and pilgrims can experience its art, culture, history, and architecture. Foodies can also appreciate Mexico City’s local taste with street food and fine dining. Additionally, because of the history of indigenous cultures like the Aztecs and Toltecs, many ruins are nearby to explore.

How to Travel to Mexico City

Located towards the south of Mexico in the middle between the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, Mexico City is relatively close to the Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Fly

Travelers can fly to Mexico City International Airport (MEX). It is located on the northeastern side of the city.

The following major airlines fly to MEX:

The full list of airlines that fly to MEX can be found here.

How to Get Around Mexico City

Metro

The Mexico City Metro is the cheapest way to get around town. Note that during rush hour during the week, the front cars are typically reserved for women and children.

Go here to get more info about the official route app and map for the Metro.

Bus

Buses are another cheap option to get around the city. 

For a route map, check out Mexico City’s government Metrobus website (Spanish).

For getting to the Basilica de Sancta Maria de Guadalupe…

• Metro: Get off at La Villa-Basilica station, and walk a few blocks north
• Bus: From the airport, get over to Terminal Aerea, take Bus #5 and then Bus #7
• Google Maps directions

What Can You Visit as a Pilgrim in Mexico City?

Basilica de Sancta Maria De Guadalupe

This basilica houses the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Juan Diego’s tilma. It sits on Tepeyac Hill, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego. The current structure is the new basilica, but the old one is still accessible.

The tilma is rather miraculous. Modern science seems to not fully explain the image. For a short, great read on the attributes of the image, check this out. 

Metropolitan Cathedral

One of Mexico City’s most iconic buildings in Zocalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Mexico City. Construction started in 1573 and continued throughout the centuries resulting various architectural styles (Lonely Planet, n.d.-a). Inside, you can see and experience famous altars like the Altar of Forgiveness and the Altar of the Kings. Visitors can also climb up the bell tower and visit the church next door, Sagrario Metropolitano.

Other Local Attractions in Mexico City

Frida Kahlo Museum

Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous modern painters out of Mexico along with her husband Diego Rivera. The house where she was born was turned into a museum a few years after she died in 1958 (Trujillo, n.d.). Visitors to the museum can experience different displays and exhibits showing the world that Frida Kahlo lived in.

For more information on visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum, check out their website (English).

Torre Latino

The Torre Latino is an iconic tower in downtown Mexico City. It used to have a reputation for being one of the tallest buildings in the world. Visitors to the Torre Latino come for the observation deck and its museums on the history of Mexico City.

More information about the Torre Latino can be found here (Spanish).

National Museum of Anthropology

If you want to learn about the indigenous cultures in Mexico, then the National Museum of Anthropology is a great place to visit. The museum features Mexican art and multiple exhibits on ethnography and archaeology. 

Go here for the Museum’s website (English/Spanish)

Bottom Line

Uttering the words “Christian pilgrimage”, and most people will probably think of the places mentioned in this post. And for good reason! These places have significant importance to Christianity whether in the life of Christ like the Holy Land or the saints like Lourdes and Mexico City. 

For the most popular Christian pilgrimages, pilgrims visit these places in order to fully immerse themselves in the history and sacredness these sites offer as a form of devotion, curiosity, penance, or to seek healing whether spiritual or corporal. 

Question for you: Of all the pilgrimage sites listed above, which one do you want to go on the most and why?

Resources

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Bethlehem: Church of St.Catherine and the Cave of St. Jerome ~ The Catholic Travel Guide (n.d.). Retrieved from https://thecatholictravelguide.com/destinations/holy-land/bethlehem-israel-birthplace-jesus/bethlehem-church-st-catherine-cave-st-jerome/

Best Catholic Pilgrimages. (n.d.). Our Lady of Lourdes. Retrieved October 2, 2019, from http://www.bestcatholic.com/lourdes.shtml.

Catedral de Santiago. (n.d.). Cathedral. Retrieved September 28, 2019, from https://catedraldesantiago.es/en/cathedral/.

Caldwell, Z. (2017, December 20). The Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2017/12/20/the-church-of-the-nativity-the-birthplace-of-jesus/

EWTN. (n.d.). Stations of the Cross. Retrieved from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/stations-of-the-cross-12706

Go Discover Portugal. (2014, July 25). Ourém Castle. Retrieved October 18, 2019, from http://godiscoverportugal.com/ourem-castle/

Hassett, M. (1908). The Coliseum. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved September 20, 2019 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04101b.htm

History.com Editors. (2018, January 31). Pantheon. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/pantheon

Hunter-Kilmer, M. (2019, April 8). The Stations of the Cross were first prayed with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Retrieved from https://aleteia.org/2019/04/08/the-stations-of-the-cross-were-first-prayed-with-a-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land/

Lonely Planet. (n.d.-a). Catedral Metropolitana: Mexico City, Mexico Attractions. Retrieved September 26, 2019, from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/mexico-city/attractions/catedral-metropolitana/a/poi-sig/375723/361544.

Lonely Planet. (n.d.-b). Yad Vashem: Jerusalem Attractions. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/jerusalem/attractions/yad-vashem/a/poi-sig/1030594/361047

McMahon, A. (1910). Holy Sepulchre. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved September 6, 2019 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07425a.htm

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The Catholic Review. (2012, January 19). Bethlehem’s Milk Grotto brings faith, hope and babies. Retrieved from https://www.archbalt.org/bethlehems-milk-grotto-brings-faith-hope-and-babies/

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2017, August 8). Trevi Fountain. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Trevi-Fountain

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Featured Photo by Jorge Luis Ojeda Flota on Unsplash

JR

JR is a full-time engineer working in the aerospace industry. Apart from having such a fly job, he flies unto the arms of Our Lady and the Church pursuing his faith and a relationship with Christ. Over the past several years, faith and flying via pilgrimages became a thing. When he’s not being fly, JR hangs out with family, friends, his chihuahua, and with thoughts of the next trip.

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