Calling all Pilgrims of Hope!

Friday, November 21, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Throughout this Jubilee Year, we are encouraged to not only welcome pilgrims to our Shrine, but to go on pilgrimage ourselves. Even our best intentions can be thwarted by the realities of life, so to make things easier for you, we’ve arranged a few different pilgrimage opportunities for the rest of this Jubilee Year. Our next stop: the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal!

You and your loved ones are invited to join our staff and Friars on Friday, November 21, 2025, as we travel from the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to celebrate a novena Mass in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The cost is $20 per person, which includes lunch and round trip bus transportation between the two Philadelphia shrines. We will gather in South Philadelphia at 10:00 a.m. and will return at approximately 3:30 p.m.

During your visit to the Basilica Shrine, you can visit the shrine’s Marian art museum, pray along their outdoor rosary walk, light a candle and ask for our Blessed Mother’s intercession, visit the Gift Shop, and take part in their special novena Mass.

Lunch will be provided at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which will include time to enjoy fellowship with other devotees from throughout Philadelphia and beyond.


And, don’t forget to bring your “Pilgrim’s Passport” so that it can get stamped in the gift shop!

 
 

  • A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. 

    It can be made anywhere, by anyone, for just about any spiritual purpose. For Catholics, it means traveling to a destination — whether it’s a holy site, outdoor space, or a spot near home — to experience God in a unique way. 

    The goal is always transformation. Anyone can travel to a location, but the pilgrim seeks to encounter something deeper. In that way, a pilgrimage is never truly finished, because hopefully you will come back changed, unable to return to old ways of living or thinking.

    It’s also more intentional. A pilgrimage is far more than an itinerary which includes shrines, cathedrals, and Christian historical sites. It’s an intentional encounter with the story of God’s work in the world. Pilgrims are there to pray, celebrate Mass, and reflect on the significance of these places — to fully enter these sacred places with their hearts, minds, and souls. 

    To learn more about pilgrimages, visit Verso Ministries.

  • Our 11.5 mile pilgrimage will begin at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia (1166 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146) and conclude at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (500 E Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144).

  • We encourage pilgrims to converse for part of the pilgrimage by sharing their prayer intentions with those around them. There will also be opportunities to recite special prayers and participate in devotions to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

    And part of the journey will also take place in silence, leaving room for private prayer, meditation, and reflection.

  • ‍ ‍10:00 a.m. | Check-in at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

    10:20 a.m. | Depart the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

    11:00 a.m. | Arrive at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

    ‍ ‍11:10 a.m. | Guided Tour of the Basilica

    12:00 p.m. | Participate in the novena Mass in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

    1:00 p.m. | Lunch at the Basilica

    2:00 p.m. | Guided Tour of the Marian Art Museum

    3:00 p.m. | Depart the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

    3:40 p.m. | Arrive at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

  • The cost to participate is $20 per person, which includes lunch and round trip bus transportation between the two Philadelphia shrines.

    If you need financial assistance, please let us know.