Marian Shrines Pilgrimages

Some of the most well-known and well-traveled pilgrimage destinations of our faith are Shrines to the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Marian Shrines, places that mark apparitions or other miracles ascribed to Our Lady. While they can be found around the world, from Europe to Asia, South America, Mexico, and even the United States, one of our most popular pilgrimage routes pays tribute to the Virgin Mary from Portugal to Spain and Lourdes in the south of France. One of the most well-known Marian Shrines can be found in Fátima, Portugal, where three young peasant children (Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco) received an apparition of the Blessed Mother in 1917. The apparitions occurred on the 13th of every month from May until October, as Our Lady gave the children messages of peace and taught them the need for prayer, penance and reparation. Today, Fátima is visited by pilgrims from around the world who search for and find the messages of peace left by Mary for the world.

This popular pilgrimage route then travels to Ávila, in Spain, the birthplace of St. Teresa, where she received a spiritual wounding of the heart due to her deep love for God. From Ávila travel to Zaragoza, where the devotion to the Virgin of the Pillar is rooted in tradition at the place of encounter between St. James the Apostle and the Blessed Virgin Mary while he was preaching in what is now Spain. It is considered the first Marian apparition, and the only one to happen while Mary was still living on Earth.

Perhaps the most famous healing Marian Shrine of our times is Lourdes, in the south of France. Here, the miraculous water was first uncovered by Bernadette Soubirous as directed by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and its healing powers are credited with many miracles from pilgrims throughout the globe. At the baths, pilgrims may receive graces by washing their face or hands and forearms with water from the miraculous spring.

Of course, this is only one possible pilgrimage route, and Peter’s Way is happy to customize an itinerary to visit Marian Shrines anywhere in the world in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Group leaders should use the below link to request a customized proposal for their pilgrimage group, and individuals are invited to browse our available Marian Shrines pilgrimages below and check back often as more tours are added.