Join us for a 7-day, 6-night Catholic pilgrimage through the heart of America as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our nation, reflecting on God’s providence, mercy, and faithfulness throughout our country’s history. Led by Fr. DiTomo, who will provide spiritual guidance, celebrate Holy Mass, and lead us in prayer and reflection each day, this pilgrimage weaves together faith, freedom, and remembrance in a deeply meaningful way. We will walk in places where saints served, presidents shaped history, and sacrifices were made for the dignity of the human person and the future of our nation.

Our journey includes visits to some of the most powerful Catholic and historic sites in the United States, including the Sorrowful Mother Shrine, St. Anthony Chapel, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the St. John Paul II National Shrine, Old St. Patrick’s Church, and the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, where we will celebrate Mass and spend time in prayer. We will stand in places that shaped America’s story, including Ford’s Theatre, Gettysburg Battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, each inviting us to reflect on sacrifice, courage, and the moral responsibility entrusted to every generation.

This pilgrimage also balances solemn reflection with moments of joy and fellowship, including a Monuments by Moonlight tour in Washington, D.C., a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World with the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience, and shared meals that foster community among pilgrims. Together, we will explore the story of America not only as a nation founded in liberty, but as a people continually called to uphold life, truth, and faith.

This pilgrimage is more than a journey across states—it is a spiritual encounter with the roots of our nation and the Heart of Christ. As we mark 250 years of America’s history, we will pray for her future, renew our own faith, and return home strengthened in our commitment to live as witnesses of Christ in a world in need of His light.

Please note that this pilgrimage will involve a limited amount of walking, up to approximately 1.5 miles per day, including steps on and off the bus. We kindly ask that you take this into consideration before registering.

While we strive to be as hospitable as possible, we are unable to accommodate personal food preferences. However, medically required food allergies should be communicated to our office in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements when possible.

In addition, all pilgrims are required to bring a valid government-issued photo ID for travel and site entry.

Our pilgrimage begins early this morning as we gather at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley, Illinois and board our private motor coach. As we depart, we entrust our journey to the Lord and begin our time together in prayer, fellowship, and anticipation of the days ahead.

After traveling through Ohio, we will stop for lunch before continuing on to our first destination: the Shrine of Our Sorrowful Mother in Bellevue, Ohio. Nestled in peaceful, wooded grounds, this beautiful shrine invites quiet reflection and devotion. Pilgrims will have time to walk the outdoor grotto paths and chapels, followed by Holy Mass at the Shrine.

In the late afternoon, we continue our journey east toward Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where we will check into our hotel for the evening. After settling in, we’ll head out together for a group dinner at a local Pittsburgh favorite, enjoying good food and joyful fellowship as we reflect on the blessings of our first pilgrimage day.

We then return to the hotel for a restful night, preparing our hearts and minds for the days to come.

We begin our morning with breakfast at the hotel, then board the bus and travel to one of the most extraordinary Catholic sites in the United States: St. Anthony Chapel & Shrine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Home to the largest collection of religious relics outside of the Vatican, St. Anthony Chapel offers pilgrims a powerful encounter with the communion of saints. We will celebrate Holy Mass at the chapel, followed by time for personal prayer and reflection, and an opportunity to visit the gift shop and learn more about this sacred space.

After departing Pittsburgh, we journey east toward Maryland, stopping along the way for lunch. In the early afternoon, we arrive at our hotel in Rockville, Maryland, where pilgrims can check in and enjoy a short rest before an exciting evening ahead.

Later in the afternoon, we head into Washington, D.C. for dinner together.

As night falls, we will experience one of the highlights of the pilgrimage: a guided “Monuments by Moonlight” tour of Washington, D.C. Seeing the nation’s memorials illuminated after dark offers a moving reflection on faith, freedom, sacrifice, and the Christian roots woven into our nation’s history.

We begin our morning with breakfast, then board the bus and travel to one of the most inspiring Catholic sites in the United States: the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. As the largest Catholic church in the country, the Basilica offers pilgrims a profound encounter with the beauty and majesty of our faith. We will celebrate private Mass, followed by an overview tour and time for personal prayer and reflection in the chapels highlighted during the tour.

After departing the Basilica, we will enjoy lunch in the Shrine Cafeteria before traveling a short distance to the John Paul II National Shrine. Here, we will have a guided tour, an spend time in prayer.

In the late afternoon, we will travel to Arlington National Cemetery, a place of honor and remembrance, where we will see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy Eternal Flame, and Arlington House, taking time for prayer and reflection among the nation’s heroes.

We conclude our day with dinner at Guapo’s Restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland, enjoying fellowship, fun, and a relaxed meal together before returning to the hotel.

We begin our morning with breakfast, then depart for downtown Washington, D.C. Our day opens at Old St. Patrick’s Church, one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the nation and a lasting witness to the endurance of the Catholic faith in America. After time for prayer and a brief introduction to the church’s rich history, we continue on foot to Ford’s Theatre—forever marked as the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865. Pilgrims will tour the theatre and museum exhibits that preserve the story of that tragic night and the nation’s response, and we will also hear a presentation by a National Park Service ranger to place these events in their full historical context.

From there, we spend late morning and early afternoon on the National Mall, with time to explore the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Pilgrims will walk through exhibits that tell the story of the American people, including founding-era history, national treasures, presidential history, and cultural milestones that shaped our nation, before enjoying lunch on your own in the museum cafeteria.

In the afternoon, we visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where pilgrims will tour independently through sobering and powerful exhibits that witness to the dignity of the human person, the consequences of hatred, and the importance of remembrance.

As the day turns toward evening, we travel to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for time of quiet prayer followed by Holy Mass. We conclude the day with dinner before returning to the hotel.

We begin our morning with breakfast at the hotel, then travel to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Here we will celebrate Holy Mass, pray at her tomb, and take part in a guided tour of the shrine, including the museum and historic homes that tell the story of the first American-born saint and her legacy of faith, education, and service.

From there, we continue on to Gettysburg, where we will enjoy lunch at the Visitor Center before embarking on a guided battlefield bus tour. This powerful experience brings to life the events of the Battle of Gettysburg and invites reflection on the sacrifice, courage, and cost of freedom. Following the tour, pilgrims will have time to visit the museum and Cyclorama, which provide a vivid and immersive understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.

We conclude the day with dinner at Señor Tequilas, before returning to the hotel in Rockville for our final overnight stay in Maryland.

We begin our morning with Holy Mass at St. Mary Rockville, once a stop on the underground railroad, offering our day to the Lord before continuing our pilgrimage west. Following Mass, we travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for a fun and memorable visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World, where pilgrims will take part in the interactive Create Your Own Candy Bar experience, enjoy lunch, browse the shops, and ride the train tour of the factory!

In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Canton, Ohio, where we will gather for dinner at Fat Head’s Brewery. After dinner, we check in to our hotel for a well-earned night of rest before our final day of pilgrimage.

We begin our final morning with breakfast and hotel check-out, then board the bus for a short drive to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Canton, Ohio. Upon arrival, pilgrims are welcomed into a sacred atmosphere of silence and prayer as we participate in Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Following Adoration, we will celebrate Holy Mass.

After this deeply prayerful start to our day, we board the bus and begin our journey home, traveling west toward Illinois.

In the afternoon, we stop at the beloved Das Dutchman Essenhaus for a late lunch/early dinner, enjoying a warm, hearty meal together.

Following our meal, we will continue the final leg of our journey, arriving back at St. Mary’s in Huntley in the early evening. With hearts full and spirits renewed, we return home grateful for the faith, freedom, friendships, and grace experienced.