Issue: January 2026
Letter from the District Superior
When Christianity gained legal freedom in 313 AD, Catholics immediately began traveling to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. These journeys to holy places—whether Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, or Canterbury—have always been more than trips; they are symbols of our earthly journey toward Heaven. Traditional Catholics today continue this ancient practice through pilgrimages that help us persevere toward our true home.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard of Clairvaux's spiritual masterpiece "In Praise of the New Knighthood" uses Holy Land pilgrimage sites as symbols for the soul's mystical journey. Ten sacred locations—from Jerusalem's Temple to Bethany—represent stages from conversion through purification to perfect union with God. This profound work shows how physical pilgrimage mirrors the interior path every Christian must travel toward holiness.
On the History and Origin of Pilgrimages
From Noah's ark to the Exodus, from the Crusades to modern devotions, pilgrimage has always been central to God's plan. This article traces the biblical and historical roots of Christian pilgrimage, distinguishing it from Jewish and Muslim practices. Catholic pilgrimage isn't about self-actualization but about making our souls ready to meet Christ on life's journey toward Heaven.
Santiago de Compostela
The Camino to Santiago de Compostela is inescapably Catholic, even though only half the pilgrims are Catholic themselves. Through encounters with abandoned churches, Spanish pilgrims, and the providential formation of community, the journey becomes both physical and spiritual. The story of Jacob—a non-Catholic who completed his pilgrimage despite initially planning to skip the cathedral—illustrates the Camino's transformative power.
A Pilgrim’s Return to the Eternal City
A pilgrim returns to Rome for the first time in twenty years during an extraordinary moment: Pope Francis's death and the upcoming conclave. This ten-day journey through Rome's basilicas, ancient catacombs, and martyrs' tombs, plus visits to Montecassino, Assisi, and Amalfi, reveals why Rome remains the heart of the Church and the kernel of the Catholic soul.
Following in the Footsteps of Christ
After ten years of preaching the Spiritual Exercises, a priest finally visits the Holy Land and discovers why it's "a place like no other." From offering Mass near Gethsemane overlooking Jerusalem to kneeling where Christ's cross stood on Calvary, these experiences transformed his spiritual life. He addresses safety concerns and explains why visiting during conflict actually offered unexpected graces.
Holy Land
A mother and daughter embarked on an unexpected pilgrimage to the Holy Land in September 2023, just before the daughter entered religious life. Walking where Jesus walked—from Nazareth to Bethlehem to Jerusalem—transformed their understanding of Scripture. Standing at the sites of Christ's birth, ministry, Passion, and Resurrection made the mysteries of the rosary come alive in unforgettable ways.
Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
On a 2023 youth pilgrimage to the Holy Land, one young woman not only met her future spouse but experienced a life-changing encounter with the places where Christ lived and died. From the Annunciation site in Nazareth to Calvary in Jerusalem, Regina Pilgrimages created a seamless journey that brought Scripture to life and fostered lasting friendships—and marriages.
Regina Pilgrimages
Discover the story behind Regina Pilgrimages: how this traditional Catholic pilgrimage company operates, coordinates SSPX chaplains, and plans journeys to holy sites worldwide. Learn about their vision for growth, their focus on youth pilgrimages that have sparked vocations and marriages, and why the Holy Land remains one of the most transformative destinations for Catholic pilgrims today.
“The holy blisful martyr for to seeke”: Chaucer and the True Pilgrimage
Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" offers more than medieval entertainment—it presents pilgrimage as an image of every Christian's journey toward Heaven. Written as Christendom began to fracture, Chaucer depicts a tapestry of pilgrims, saints and sinners alike, all traveling together. His work reminds us that we are exiles on earth, hopefully heading home to our true destination.
O Felix Roma!—Why We Go to Rome
Why do Traditional Catholics journey to Rome? Archbishop Lefebvre's deep Roman spirit inspired the Society's pilgrimages in 1975, 2000, and 2025. These weren't just devotional trips—they were powerful witnesses to Tradition that obtained concrete results like "Summorum Pontificum" and the lifting of excommunications. Discover how 8,000 pilgrims gathered in August 2025 to proclaim their faith.
Credo Pilgrimage Sermon
In his powerful 1975 sermon during the Rome pilgrimage, Archbishop Lefebvre calls faithful Catholics to unwavering witness of the Faith. He condemns false ecumenism that places all religions on equal footing, insisting that only the Catholic Church possesses the means of salvation. Like the martyrs buried in Rome's basilicas, we must strengthen our faith and never compromise it, whatever the cost.
Sermon to Pilgrims
This newly translated sermon by 13th-century Bishop Jacques de Vitry reveals the medieval Church's profound theology of pilgrimage. Drawing on Abraham, the Israelites, and Christ's own journeys, he explains how pilgrimage offers uniquely efficacious satisfaction for sin. Pilgrims become itinerant heralds of Christ, trusting in God's providence as they journey toward both earthly and heavenly destinations.
“Direct the way of your servants”
For over 1,200 years, the traditional Roman Rite has provided beautiful liturgical prayers for pilgrims—a votive Mass and special blessings for departure and return. These prayers weave together Scripture, eschatology, and trust in God's protection. Discover the richness of these ancient texts and why the "Novus Ordo's" elimination of the pilgrims' Mass represents a significant liturgical loss.
Questions and Answers
What if you go on pilgrimage and your prayers aren't answered? This article addresses a common disappointment: God sometimes delays or denies our requests, either because our prayer lacks proper dispositions or because granting it wouldn't truly benefit our souls. Learn why we should boldly ask for miracles while remaining resigned to God's will, and how to respond with gratitude when prayers are answered.
The Last Word
Are we true pilgrims journeying toward Heaven with hope and purpose, or merely vagabonds wandering aimlessly through worldly pleasures? This meditation contrasts the pilgrim who walks bowed under the cross toward eternal sanctuary with the vagabond who drifts without direction. We must choose: to follow Christ completely without taking anything back, or to deceive ourselves by combining both paths.
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