Shrines and Pilgrimage Sites

On July 26, the World Day of Grandparents, hundreds of Catholics will quietly make their way to a hidden gem in the rural hills of Cormac, Ont., for the 86th annual St. Ann's Pilgrimage.

The Daily TV Mass will be honouring the 100th anniversary of the Martyrs’ Shrine in its own special way, presenting a special four-part series dedicated to the Canadian Martyrs from June 24 to 27.

A group of 11 Canadian Catholic pilgrims concluded a one-week familiarization tour of the Normandy region of France on Feb. 9 as guests at the Hermitage Sainte Thérèse reception house overseen by the Sisters Servants of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

Along with conjuring quicksand beneath their neoprene boots in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay during their guided walking tour, the Canadian Catholics on a familiarization (FAM) tour through the Normandy region of France are also weaving meaningful bonds of fellowship.

Franciscan Father Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, is urging pilgrims to return to a land nearly devoid of pilgrims over the last two years not only as an opportunity to be where Christ was, but also as a sign of solidarity with Christians in the area whose livelihoods depend on pilgrims.

Discovering hidden gems is one of the greatest joys of a pilgrimage. Just two days into their week-long journey through the Normandy region of France, a group of 12 Canadian Catholic priests and spiritual travel influencers has already experienced this gift.

Midland, Ont.'s Martyr’s Shrine is preparing for what could be its most eventful and spiritually vibrant year to date, with the historic site of worship and encounter hosting dual celebrations for its centennial and quadricentennial in 2026.

"There's no substitute for local knowledge," Archbishop Richard Smith told thousands of pilgrims gathered recently at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission, the same kind of "local knowledge incarnate" that Jesus Christ offers to believers seeking the surest path to eternal life.

When you are born in a major pilgrimage destination, you grow up with a treasure -- a national shrine and sacred image -- within reach every day. I was that child, born in Czestochowa, home of the Black Madonna and a beloved place of spiritual refuge for St. John Paul II.

When you are born in a major pilgrimage destination, you grow up with a treasure — a national shrine and sacred image — within reach every day. I was that child, born in Czestochowa, home of the Black Madonna and a beloved place of spiritual refuge for St. John Paul II.