What is a Pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage differs from a tour in several important ways. It is a personal invitation from God, comprised of His offer and dependent upon the pilgrim’s acceptance. God’s call may vary but the purpose remains consistent: It is an individual summons to know God more fully. A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to which the pilgrim joyfully responds “yes” to God’s invitation.

Although in previous centuries many trials were intrinsic to a pilgrimage, the modern pilgrim has an abundance of affordable travel options, yet the purpose remains unchanged. It is a journey to a holy, sacred place to usher the pilgrim into the presence of God.

The pilgrim must embark on this journey with joyful anticipation, being willing temporarily to separate himself or herself from the world and to offer himself or herself in humble service to another. A successful pilgrimage involves a commitment to leave behind one’s problems and to focus instead on seeking to learn more about our heavenly Father, making one’s heart full of desire for special graces, praises, petitions and thanksgiving, returning home transformed, renewed and restored by the abundant blessings received.

A pilgrimage is a time of prayer and to witness the miraculous signposts God has left for our return to Him. Ask God to bless you with a heart that will be receptive to the treasure chest of graces He desires to shower upon your pilgrimage. The success of your spiritual journey will depend upon your openness, faith, flexibility, and love.

Our commitment to you

206 Tours is pleased you have chosen us to accompany you on your pilgrimage. We are committed to do all we can to ensure that your pilgrimage is something you will remember and cherish your entire life. Our goal is to assist our pilgrims in their quest to draw closer to Jesus through Mary, by arranging a beautiful and spiritual pilgrimage for you.

And you can travel for free - organize your own group

For large or small groups, we will work with you to design a unique and memorable pilgrimage. Pilgrimages are ideal for family reunions, church groups, youth groups, student groups, class reunions, senior citizens, singles, interest groups, neighbors, couples or anyone seeking the spiritual refreshment that only a pilgrimage can provide. Simply choose the most desirable departure date from our trip page. For further details and incentives, please call us at 1-800-206-TOUR (8687) , and we will be happy to guide you through each step. And remember, if you don't find dates you like, tell us and we'll gladly customize a pilgrimage to accommodate your requirements (minimum of 20). We will even design a custom flyer to help you promote your group. "OH LORD, OUR HEARTS ARE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN YOU." Saint Augustine

The lord's messengers

Since the time of Adam, God has spoken to His saints and prophets by means of visions, dreams, and inner voices. Miraculous events are common occurrences in the worlds of the Old and New Testaments and the lives of the saints are especially marked by this divine favor. God's request that His servants go on pilgrimage is first mentioned in Genesis when Abraham left for Canaan. Jacob received a similar request and the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt was another example. After Solomon, the Israelites were required to make a journey to the sanctuary at least once a year. Fulfilling the law, the Holy Family made this annual journey as well. Their pilgrimage is recalled in Luke 2:41-47 when Jesus was discovered missing during the Passover trip to Jerusalem.

But in our own time, the Eternal Father seems to be calling upon ordinary people. The last century, in particular, was rich in numerous appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and Jesus Himself is said to have spoken to a few of the seers. The Lord's messages remind us that Jesus has been offended by humanity’s sin against His Sacred Heart. His Blessed Mother, Mary calls humanity to prayer, repentance, conversion, peace, and a renewed devotion to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession. Our Lady’s messages implore a return to her Son as she lovingly reminds us of the endless mercy and love which are available to all.

What a 206 Tours Pilgrimage is Like

206 Tours is the most respected Catholic tour operator to the world’s sacred Holy places! In business since 1985, we have served over four hundred thousand Pilgrims to date!

What sets us apart is that every 206 Pilgrimage is accompanied by a dedicated Spiritual Director who is available for daily Mass, Rosary, and Confession. Our local Catholic guides are the best in the business when leading our Pilgrims on tours to important historical and spiritual sites. We are blessed to have Pilgrimages led by renowned spiritual leaders such as, Doctor Scott Hahn, Matthew Leonard, Father Donald Calloway and more.

The memories you make on your Pilgrimage with 206 Tours will last a lifetime. You will make lifelong friendships with your fellow Pilgrims and deepen your faith. Call us today for more information on our exciting itineraries and to learn how you can become a group leader yourself!

Why to Make a Pilgrimage

There are many reasons why a person would decide to make a Pilgrimage, for instance;

• in thankfulness, joy and rejoicing
• to increase faith
• to practice prayer
• to practice fasting
• to learn to let go and give your problems to God
• to pray for healing
• to hear what the Holy Spirit may say
• to pray for others
• to visit Holy places
• experience diverse cultures
• to escort a loved one
• to travel with a specific leader, prayer group, church or youth group
• for unity; to be with likeminded people

Often, we go on a Pilgrimages seeking change, and often, a change takes place. Pilgrimage means focusing on an Intention, a desire, or a resolution of a situation. A Pilgrim goes because he feels called to deepen his faith and connection to God. Pilgrims seek peace with their loved one, or for peace in the world and understand that in order to find peace in their lives they must first find it with God in their hearts. Many Pilgrims find that by separating themselves from their daily lives and embarking on a Pilgrimage, they are able to find God and find peace, returning with renewed faith, transformed forever.

There are so many benefits to making a Pilgrimage - people that travel on Pilgrimages, are happier, more peaceful and better suited to handle life’s difficult situations. People that go on Pilgrimages have more faith. By having more faith and peace in your heart, you do not avoid tragedy, as having Jesus in your life, is like "being thrown into the ocean with a life-vest".

History of a Pilgrimage

In previous centuries many trials were intrinsic to a Pilgrimage, while the modern-day Pilgrim has much more comfortable travel options, the purpose of Pilgrimage remains unchanged. It is a journey to a Holy, Sacred place to usher the Pilgrim into the presence of God. The pilgrim must embark on this journey with joyful anticipation, willingness to temporarily separate him or herself from the world and to offer him or herself in humble service to one another. A successful Pilgrimage involves a commitment to leave behind one's problems and to focus instead on seeking to learn more about our heavenly Father.

Pilgrimages are as old as civilization. Since the earliest times, such journeys have been made as acts of devotion, penance, or thanksgiving in search of blessings or miracles. The concept of Pilgrimage crosses all ideological and religious boundaries. For example: Muslim law prescribes a pilgrimage to Mecca, the site of Muhammed’s birth for all those who are faithful and able; to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges is considered an obligation for Hindus; Christian pilgrims travel great distances to venerate places in the Holy Land sanctified by the presence of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostles.

Pilgrimages gained popularity in the fourth century after Emperor Constantine I converted to Christianity, legalized the faith all throughout the Roman Empire and set new goals to recover important Sacred Christian relics and artifacts. He and his mother Helena became the most influential Pilgrims because of their efforts in finding Christ’s tomb, the Holy Spulchre, and the True Cross, among other relics. Word spread of their findings and by the end of the fourth century, even though travel was often perilous, Pilgrimages to the Holy Land became common.

As Rome became the center of the Christian faith, it also became a frequent Pilgrimage destination, as did Greece and Egypt where Pilgrims could actually follow in the footsteps of the Apostles. By the Middle Ages, Churches and Cathedrals throughout Europe housing relics of the Holy Family, the Apostles, and early Saints, made Pilgrimage even more popular as it became a significant part of Christian devotional life.

The Role of Relics in Pilgrimage

Relics play a very strong role in Pilgrimage. There are several types of relics, first-class relics are items that played a role in the life of Jesus Christ and are the most Holy relics in the word. The remains of a Saint, also referred to as Corporeal Relics are also first-class relics and are often entombed in a Shrine. Second-Class Relics are typically a personal belonging of a Saint or Holy person, often clothing.

Examples of Relics of the Holy Family:

• Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris enshrines part of the Cross of Thorns, wood from the Cross, and a nail from the Crucifixion.
• The Sanctun Sanctorum Chapel in Rome houses relics of the cross, Christ’s sandals, and a portrait of Christ that was “not painted by mortal hands”
• In Aachen, Germany you can find the swaddling clothes of the infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary’s veil.
• The Shroud of Turin, Christ’s burial cloth, is kept in the Royal Palace of Turin in Piedmont, northern Italy.

Examples of Corporeal Relics:

• Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain is the burial place of the remains of St. James the Apostle. This Pilgrimage is commonly called walking “the way of St. James” or “El Camino”
• The heart of St. Vincent de Paul resides in a reliquary in the alter of his Shrine in Paris, the mother house of Sisters of Charity.

Shrines to Our Lady

Shrines to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, draw crowds of tens of millions of Catholics each year. Many of the Shrines where built to venerate Marian apparitions, however Church authorities are cautious about giving credence to accounts of apparitions of Mary and approving of devotion at the places where they occur. A few of the most famous Marian Shrines are; the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland (also known as the Black Madonna), the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of La Salette in France, Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, Our Lady of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Our Lady of Knock in Ireland. Link all

Considering a Family Pilgrimage?

All ages are welcome on all 206 Tours Pilgrimages! A Pilgrimage is an amazing experience for anyone – especially children. Watch as your children experience a new culture, learn to travel, deepen their faith, and grow as individuals. Create a meaningful memory for your children that will become the foundation for them to build their relationship with God upon.

Our 206 Commitment to YOU

206 Tours management and employees are pleased you have chosen us to arrange your Pilgrimage. We are committed to doing all we can to ensure that your adventure of approaching the Lord's holy and sacred sites is comfortable, pleasant, and deeply spiritual. Our goal is to arrange beautiful and spiritual Pilgrimages, ministering to those seeking the Lord, leading our pilgrims to discover God in our World’s Holiest sites.

What about the cost of a Pilgrimage?

Living on earth is an experience – journey beyond your neighborhood to make the absolute most of the experience. In some cases, a Pilgrimage can be less than annual cable bill or several nights out at a fancy restaurant. We have one-week all-inclusive pilgrimages that are under $2,000 - including airfare, meals, transfers, sightseeing, tour escorts and experience that you can never replace by any material item.

Travel for Free – Organize Your Own Group

For large or small groups, we will work together to design a unique and memorable pilgrimage. Our agents are knowledgeable in both group sales and operations. Pilgrimages are ideal for family reunions, church groups, youth groups, student groups, class reunions, senior citizens, singles, interest groups, neighbors, couples or anyone seeking the spiritual refreshment that only a Pilgrimage can provide. Simply choose a destination and indicate the most desirable departure date. We will design and print flyers at no cost to you. For further details and incentives, please call us at 1-800-206-TOUR (8687), and we will be happy to guide you through each step. And remember, if you don't find an itinerary you like on our website, tell us and we'll gladly customize a pilgrimage to accommodate your requirements (minimum of 20 people).

From the Holy Father

In a 2016 address during the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis explained the meaning of Pilgrimage like this:

“A Pilgrimage is not the same as a Vacation… Making a Pilgrimage to shrines is one of the most eloquent expressions of the faith of God’s people… It would be a mistake to think that those who go on a pilgrimage live a spirituality that is not personal but rather of the masses. The reality is that the pilgrim carries within him his own history and faith and the lights and shadows of his own life. Each person carries within his or her heart a special wish and a particular prayer. Those who enter the shrine immediately feel they are at home, welcomed, understood, and supported.”