Pilgrimage on a Budget: Finding Sacred Places Close to Home
“The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever” — Psalm 121:8.
Every year you hear about pilgrimages. Many Catholic authors, radio show hosts, and priests run them. These pilgrimages are usually to somewhere very far away 一 like Europe or the Holy Land 一 and expensive.
The average pilgrimage costs about $3,000 to $5,000 per person. Often, that is the price before airfare. And if you are married and want your spouse to come, you are looking at over $6,000 for a 7- to 14-day pilgrimage. I am not knocking these experiences. They sound like awesome trips, and anyone I know who has gone has had an amazing time. Many times, they are not within the average Catholic’s budget.
However, that doesn’t mean that the average Catholic can’t go on a pilgrimage. I’ve been doing this for many years in my own backyard, and I am going to share how you can too.
What is a Pilgrimage?
First, let’s define the word “pilgrimage.” I find this word is thrown out there, and we don’t necessarily know what the word means.
For our purposes, a pilgrimage is an intentional journey to a sacred place that serves as a physical expression of faith, undertaken to seek spiritual renewal, align one’s life and work with God's will, and encounter Christ more deeply through the discipline of travel.
Nowhere in that definition does it say you have to get on a plane to Europe and spend $10,000.
How to Find Your Next Pilgrimage
Now, remembering our definition of a pilgrimage, think about all the places you can visit within two hours of your house to make a pilgrimage. Here are some places that you can visit for a pilgrimage in your own area: your local diocesan cathedral, a small mission chapel, or a Marian shrine.
This past summer, my mom and I took a road trip through 16 states. We started in Wisconsin, where she lives, and ended up in Florida, where I live. On our trip, we stopped at many of the Catholic cathedrals and shrines along the way. We weren’t always able to go inside all of them due to the time we got there or other events. We couldn’t go inside one church because there was a wedding going on when we arrived. (On another trip, there was a funeral going on in the church when we arrived, and the worker in the gift shop wanted to know how we knew the person that passed away.)
I created this map of a lot of the Midwest shrines as we went on our way: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g6PUhvHMng2LemSKA
You also don't have to plan an entire trip around a pilgrimage. If you are already traveling somewhere, look at what Catholic sites are along the way. When I travel, I love looking for cathedrals, shrines, and historic churches that are close to my route. Sometimes it only adds an hour or two to the trip, and I've gotten to see places I never would have visited otherwise.
You may be asking how do I find places to pilgrimage to? Here is a simple four-step process you can use to find your next pilgrimage destination.
Start with your local diocesan cathedral — my local cathedral even gives guided tours.
Search Google Maps for Catholic cathedrals and shrines — this is how I created my list inside Google Maps.
Search “Catholic shrines near [city]”.
Check your diocesan website.
Arrive with Intentions
Going with a specific prayer intention can also help make your visit feel more intentional. Maybe you are praying for a family member, discerning a decision, asking for a saint's intercession, or simply wanting to grow closer to God. When I was deep in the throes of infertility, I used to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche all the time with that specific intention in mind.
You don't need an elaborate plan. You can walk the grounds, pray the Rosary, sit quietly in the church, light a candle, attend Mass, or spend time in Adoration if it’s available.
Many shrines are literally in the middle of nowhere, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Check the hours before you leave, especially if you want to visit the church or gift shop. You may also want to pack a lunch or look for somewhere nearby to eat. And if much of the shrine is outdoors, spring or fall might be a better time to visit, depending on where you live.
Start in Your Own Backyard
Maybe someday you'll get to make that dream pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Lourdes, or the Holy Land. But you don't have to wait until you have thousands of dollars saved to become a pilgrim. You can start today in your own backyard.
I challenge you to find one place to visit within an hour’s drive of your home by the end of the year. You will be surprised by what you find. And if you ever need help, feel free to send me a message or email.
Beth Anne Kaczmarczyk is a cradle Catholic who is passionate in helping others in her community with her husband through the Knights of Columbus. She is a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and runs her own Bookkeeping firm. She is passionate about helping small business owners have less stress and grow their businesses. You can connect with her on Instagram, or join her monthly newsletter to receive a Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist!