Diocesan Resources
World Youth Day USA: Local Pilgrimage Prayer Guide (2015)
World Youth Day USA: Local Pilgrimage Prayer Guide
Congratulations on beginning your domestic pilgrimage! Saint John Paul II explained, “Pilgrimages, a sign of the condition of the disciples of Christ in this world, have always held an important place in the life of Christians. In the course of history, Christians have always walked to celebrate their faith in places that indicate a memory of the Lord or in sites representing important moments in the history of the Church. They have come to shrines honoring the Mother of God and to those that keep the example of the saints alive. Their pilgrimage was a process of conversion, a yearning for intimacy with God and a trusting plea for their material needs. For the Church, pilgrimages, in all their multiple aspects, have always been a gift of grace” (Pilgrimage in the Great Jubilee, 2).Included here are some prayers that can be used while you are journeying to the various sites in the U.S., when you arrive to a site, and on your return trip.. Keep in mind that they can be prayed in the silence of your heart, with a fellow pilgrim, or in a larger group.
It is recommended to begin your journey to any of the U.S. pilgrimage sites by celebrating the Mass, or if that is not an option, by reciting the Liturgy of the Hours or another liturgical rite.