Rachel Evans
A Catholic pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a sacred place, often a site related to Jesus, Mary, or the saints. Pilgrims travel to these places with the intention of growing closer to God. While pilgrimages can be international, they don't have to be—pilgrimages can also be made domestically or regionally, and can even be as short as a two-block walk to a local parish. Pilgrims pray, attend Mass, and share meals together. They often wake up early in the morning to reach sites and stay with their group for most of the day. Before going on a pilgrimage, it's recommended that pilgrims practice walking 10km a day at least four months in advance.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing for pilgrimage: physically and spiritually
Preparing for a Catholic pilgrimage involves both physical and spiritual considerations. The physical aspects include practical matters such as travel arrangements, packing, and accommodations, while the spiritual aspects involve prayer, reflection, and setting intentions. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare for your pilgrimage:
Physical Preparation:
- Plan your travel: Ensure you have the necessary travel documents, such as passports, visas, and travel insurance. Research your destination and familiarize yourself with the itinerary, including daily schedules, travel requirements, and accommodation details.
- Packing: Pack only what you need, including essential items such as comfortable walking shoes, quick-drying clothes, a substantial water bottle, and modest clothing required for sacred sites. Avoid bringing items you cannot afford to lose, and consider leaving valuables at home.
- Practice walking: Expect to walk a significant distance during your pilgrimage, typically 10-15 km per day. Start practising walking at least 10 km per day, preferably a few months before your departure, to build up your endurance.
Spiritual Preparation:
- Set your intentions: Reflect on why you want to embark on this pilgrimage and set spiritual goals accordingly. Are you seeking to deepen your faith, find spiritual healing, honour a saint, or express gratitude? Knowing your purpose will help you stay focused and aligned with your intentions throughout the journey.
- Prayer and reflection: Engage in regular prayer and Scripture reading to grow closer to God before your journey. You can also pray for the intentions of your fellow pilgrims or ask others to pray for you. Consider creating a social media poll or asking friends and family, "How can I pray for you during my pilgrimage?"
- Fasting: Consider fasting or sacrificing something as a way to prepare spiritually and offer your struggles to God. This can also help you prepare for any physical discomfort or impatience you may experience during the pilgrimage.
- Leave work behind: Arrange your work commitments before the trip to maintain your focus during the pilgrimage. Set up an out-of-office message for email and other communication channels to minimise distractions.
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Selecting a pilgrimage: local or international
Selecting a Catholic pilgrimage can be a challenging task, with many destinations and experiences to choose from. Pilgrimages are spiritual journeys to sacred destinations, where pilgrims pray, attend Mass, and share meals together. They are not leisure trips, and often require waking up early and walking long distances. Before selecting a pilgrimage, it is important to reflect on your purpose and spiritual goals. Do you want to deepen your faith, seek spiritual healing, honour a saint, or express gratitude? Knowing your intentions will help guide your choice of pilgrimage.
Local Pilgrimages
Local pilgrimages offer a more affordable option, allowing you to embark on a spiritual journey without the need for extensive travel. You can follow in Mary's footsteps and make a pilgrimage to your local community's Blessed Mother. Alternatively, you could identify a place near you where you feel a connection to Mary and make your own pilgrimage by walking there and offering your prayers. Local pilgrimages can also be group experiences, such as the 'Walking with the Saints: A Pilgrimage for Mary' event in the Twin Cities, which was a 7-mile walking pilgrimage.
International Pilgrimages
International pilgrimages can provide a broader range of destinations and experiences, allowing you to visit iconic sites such as Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St. James are said to rest, or Lourdes, one of the most popular Marian pilgrimage sites. International pilgrimages can be more expensive, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 CAD, not including all meals and other expenses. However, if finances are a concern, fundraising opportunities may be available. International pilgrimages often involve travel to sacred destinations in other countries, such as the Holy Land, Rome, or Assisi. These destinations offer unique opportunities to connect with your faith and experience the Catholic tradition in profound ways.
When selecting a pilgrimage, it is important to consider your budget, the availability of pilgrimages that fit your interests, and any age restrictions. If you have a specific destination in mind, research the options available, including places to visit, prices, and age ranges. Speaking to pilgrimage coordinators can provide valuable insights into the itinerary and ensure your safety during the trip.
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What to expect: daily routine and group dynamics
A Catholic pilgrimage is a journey undertaken with specific goals in mind, such as deepening one's faith, seeking guidance or healing, or paying homage to significant sites tied to the lives of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. It is a time to step away from daily life and focus on one's relationship with God, and it can be made anywhere, by anyone, for any spiritual purpose.
Daily Routine
Pilgrimages often involve a decent bit of walking, so it is important to be physically prepared for the journey. It is recommended to practice walking at least 10 km a day, at least four months before departure, and to invest in a good pair of lightweight walking shoes. During the pilgrimage, expect to walk 10-15 km a day.
In the lead-up to the pilgrimage, it is also a good idea to prepare mentally and spiritually. This can involve fasting, reading the Gospels, praying the rosary, and spending time in silent prayer. It is also important to leave work behind and arrange everything before the trip, such as setting up an out-of-office message for emails and WhatsApp.
Group Dynamics
Pilgrimages are often undertaken in groups, and this can be an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with fellow pilgrims. In the Middle Ages, pilgrims were a diverse group, including nobles and peasants, men and women, the elderly, and even entire families. Today, pilgrims often post on their social media accounts something like, "I'm going on a pilgrimage to [place]. How can I pray for you while I'm there?" This can help to create a sense of community and shared purpose within the group.
What to Expect
Pilgrimage is a journey into the unknown, and it requires that we stretch ourselves, travel to unfamiliar places, and risk being uncomfortable. We may encounter our own limitations and resist or forget our spiritual practices. However, it is in these moments of discomfort that we can encounter new dimensions of our capacity and new faces of the sacred.
Ultimately, the pilgrimage journey asks us to embrace mystery, to relinquish control, and to open ourselves up to God's work through our inner and outer journeys. It is a chance to step out of our comfort zones, encounter God in a unique way, and return changed, with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of God's love.
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The history of pilgrimage: a Catholic perspective
Pilgrimages have been a part of the Catholic faith for millennia, with the practice evolving over the years. The act of pilgrimage is not unique to Catholicism, with some version of it existing in most religions. This is likely because people are predisposed to viewing faith as a journey, making travel a natural companion to religious expression.
In the Catholic faith, there are many examples of pilgrimage in the Bible. For instance, immediately after the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. In Luke 2, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem. There are also numerous examples of saints making pilgrimages throughout Church history, such as St. Augustine, who wrote about pilgrimage in 'The City of God'. The idea of pilgrimage gained further popularity in the Middle Ages, as evidenced in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'.
During the Middle Ages, Catholics went on pilgrimages to bring about change and as an act of penance. Pilgrimages were also condemned by the Anglican Church following the dissolution of the monasteries in England in the 1500s as being "too Catholic".
In modern times, the practice of pilgrimage continues to be a significant aspect of Catholic spiritual life. While some choose to make pilgrimages to holy sites in the Holy Land, Rome, or other international destinations, others engage in local pilgrimages or self-led pilgrimages in their own communities. The COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the closure of churches worldwide, also led to an increase in self-led pilgrimages as people sought alternative ways to pray and connect with their faith.
Regardless of the location or format, the goal of Catholic pilgrimage remains the same: to encounter God in a profound and personal way and to return transformed. Pilgrims pray, attend Mass, and reflect on the significance of the sacred places they visit, seeking to integrate their faith more deeply into their lives.
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How to make a pilgrimage: a practical guide
A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a sacred destination. It is an opportunity to encounter God in a profound and personal way and return transformed. Pilgrimages are not leisure trips, and they often involve waking up early, walking long distances, and staying with your group for most of the day.
How to Prepare for Your Pilgrimage
Before embarking on your pilgrimage, it is important to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. Mentally, you should be aware that pilgrimages can be challenging due to the early mornings and long walks. However, they can also be a rewarding opportunity for personal growth and a chance to view inconveniences as sacrifices. Physically, you should prepare for walking 10-15 km a day by practicing walking at least 10 km a day, at least four months in advance. Get a good pair of lightweight walking shoes and break them in early. For your spiritual preparation, you should gather intentions from your loved ones and write them down in a notebook or journal. You can also post on social media, asking how you can pray for others during your pilgrimage.
Choosing a Pilgrimage
Pilgrimages can be international or local. International pilgrimages can range from $1,000 to $6,000 CAD, not including snacks, certain meals, and souvenirs. Local pilgrimages are a more affordable option and can still be meaningful. You can choose a pilgrimage based on your interests, budget, and availability. If you are interested in several pilgrimages, reach out to the pilgrimage coordinators to get more information and secure your spot.
During the Pilgrimage
During your pilgrimage, you will be praying, attending Mass, and sharing meals with your fellow pilgrims. Many pilgrimages involve visits to relics, so it is helpful to do some research on the saints beforehand. You can also make your own pilgrimage by walking to a local church or shrine in honor of Our Lady.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a sacred destination, often a site related to the life or death of Jesus, Mary, or the saints. Pilgrims travel to these sacred places with the intention of growing closer to God.
Firstly, ensure you have the right mindset. A pilgrimage is not a leisurely trip, and pilgrims are expected to pray, attend Mass, and share meals together. You should also be prepared to wake up early and walk long distances. Before embarking on your pilgrimage, ask friends and family how they would like you to pray for them during your journey, and write these intentions in a notebook. You should also practice walking at least 10km a day, at least four months before your departure, and invest in a good pair of walking shoes.
Examples of Catholic pilgrimages include World Youth Day, Walking Pilgrimage, and International Heritage Tour pilgrimages. Local pilgrimages are the least expensive, while international pilgrimages can range from $1,000 to $6,000 CAD, not including snacks, certain meals, and souvenirs.
Examine your options based on places you want to visit, your budget, and any age restrictions. If you have several options that fit your interests, budget, and availability, reach out to the pilgrimage coordinators to get the itinerary and ensure your safety.
Local Catholic pilgrimages include walking to a local church or shrine in honour of Our Lady, or a two-mile walk to a church dedicated to Mary.
