Pilgrim walking toward a sacred shrine
About

About This Site

Helping Catholic pilgrims prepare for meaningful encounters with the sacred.

Pilgrimage is one of the oldest practices in our Catholic tradition. From the earliest Christians visiting the tombs of the martyrs to modern pilgrims walking the Camino, the faithful have always sought to encounter Christ in sacred places.

This site exists to help pilgrims prepare well. Good preparation transforms a trip into a pilgrimage - turning mere travel into spiritual encounter. We focus on both the spiritual and practical dimensions of preparation.

Our guides are written with reverence for the sacred sites and respect for the pilgrim's journey. We draw from Church teaching, the lives of the saints, and practical experience to offer guidance that serves the soul.

Votive candles in a Catholic church
Catholic pilgrimage group
About the Author
Michael Kovnick

Michael Kovnick

Catholic Pilgrimage Guide

I've spent over twenty years helping Catholics experience meaningful pilgrimages to sacred sites in Europe, the Holy Land, and beyond.

What I've learned is that the most transformative pilgrimages begin long before the journey itself. Proper preparation - spiritual, practical, and historical - opens the pilgrim's heart to receive the graces that await.

The insights on this site come from accompanying thousands of pilgrims to sacred places. I write to share what I've learned about preparing for these holy journeys.

Our Focus

What You'll Find Here

Sacred destinations

Destination Guides

In-depth guides to major pilgrimage sites - their history, significance, and what to expect.

Spiritual preparation

Spiritual Preparation

Prayers, reflections, and spiritual exercises to prepare your heart for pilgrimage.

Practical planning

Practical Planning

Logistics, packing, timing, and practical wisdom for pilgrims.

Church history

History & Context

The history, theology, and significance of pilgrimage in Catholic tradition.

Marian shrines

Marian Shrines

Guides to the great shrines of Our Lady - Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, and more.

Saints and relics

Saints & Relics

Pilgrimage to the tombs of the saints and the veneration of holy relics.

Ready to begin your pilgrimage preparation? Explore our guides to learn how to prepare for a meaningful journey.

Explore the Guides