Alabama Catholic Pilgrimage
March 3 - 6, 2026
Join us for a faith-filled journey through Alabama’s sacred treasures! Visit the inspiring Ave Maria Grotto, where miniature masterpieces bring biblical stories to life, and the peaceful Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a haven of prayer and reflection. Explore EWTN Global Catholic Network, where faith reaches millions around the world. Along the way, enjoy fellowship, inspiration, and quiet moments to renew your spirit and strengthen your faith.
Roundtrip Motorcoach Transportation
3 Nights in Hotel
3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
All Admissions, Entrance Fees, Taxes and Most Gratuities
Professional Tour Director
Your pilgrimage begins as we journey north through the heart of the South toward Birmingham, Alabama. We’ll make plenty of comfortable rest stops and enjoy a group lunch in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where you’ll have time to stretch your legs and get to know your fellow travelers.
Arriving in Birmingham by late afternoon, we’ll check into the Drury Inn & Suites Birmingham Lakeshore Drive, our home for the next three nights. After freshening up, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner. Enjoy good food, fellowship, and the excitement of what’s to come.
After breakfast, we travel to Cullman, Alabama, to visit two of the state’s most inspiring spiritual landmarks. Our morning begins at the Ave Maria Grotto, lovingly known as “Jerusalem in Miniature.” Created by Benedictine monk Brother Joseph Zoettl, this extraordinary four-acre site features over 125 miniature recreations of biblical scenes and famous religious structures from around the world.
Next, we’ll visit St. Bernard Abbey, one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in the South. We’ll join the monks for Sext (Midday Prayer) and enjoy lunch, where the simple hospitality of the Benedictine community always shines through.
In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Irondale, home of EWTN Global Catholic Network. Upon arrival around 2:15 PM, we’ll enjoy a guided studio tour (2:30–3:45 PM) to see behind the scenes of this worldwide ministry that brings Catholic programming to millions. Afterward, visit the EWTN Religious Catalogue Store or enjoy some quiet time in the outdoor Grotto.
Dinner will be at Puckett's Restaurant, where comforting Southern classics fill both the heart and plate. In the evening, we’ll return to the studios for the live taping of EWTN Live—a unique opportunity to experience this global broadcast ministry firsthand before returning to our hotel for the night.
Today is dedicated to prayer, peace, and spiritual renewal at the magnificent Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville.
9:30 AM – Arrive at the Shrine. Enjoy free time for personal reflection, prayer, Adoration, and shopping in the Shrine Gift Shop, featuring beautiful religious art, books, and sacramentals.
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM – Celebrate Mass in the Lower Church, a sacred space designed for quiet worship and reverence.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Enjoy a catered lunch in the Castle (RDH-A or B), a lovely setting for fellowship and rest.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Participate in a guided tour of the Shrine, learning about its remarkable history, sacred architecture, and the vision of Mother Angelica, who founded both the Shrine and EWTN.
3:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Take additional time for the gift shop, prayer, or photography before we gather for departure.
5:00 PM – Depart for Birmingham.
This evening, we’ll share a farewell dinner —a fitting close to a meaningful pilgrimage.
After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey home, filled with faith, friendship, and fond memories of Alabama’s sacred treasures. We’ll make rest stops along the way and stop for lunch in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before returning to Metairie and Marrero in the late afternoon.
