Pilgrimages in the Catholic tradition serve as a means for spiritual growth, reflection and community. They offer opportunities for healing, connection to sacred sites and traditions, and acts of penance, all while fostering a deeper relationship with God. This year we are called to be pilgrims of hope.
In a normal year, around 7-10 million tourists visit Rome. In 2025, that number is projected to be closer to 30 million. Why the change? It’s because it’s a jubilee year! What makes so many more people travel to Rome during a jubilee in part is the tradition of Holy Doors. Holy Doors are a great symbol of the Jubilee. They represent the passage from sin to grace and new beginnings. During a jubilee year, the Pope designates the entrances to various impactful sites to be Holy Doors. This year, five Holy Doors will be open. These doors are located at St. Peter’s Basilica, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Paolo Fuori le Mura, and a prison in Rome. The Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica was opened on Christmas Eve of 2024 and will be the last to close during the feast of the Epiphany in 2026, marking the end of the holy year.
In honor of the Jubilee Year and the tradition of pilgrimage, the diocesan evangelization team has also planned several trips to help foster this growth in hope. Notable destinations include Rome and Chicago, with options closer to home, even in our own diocese!
Holy Hill, St. Jude & Shrines – Pilgrimage to Chicago
About
This pilgrimage will offer people a chance to venture across the country over five days, stopping at major sites of hope in the U.S. Pilgrims will visit places like the Holy Family Shrine in Nebraska; the Grotto of Redemption in Iowa; the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin; the National Shrine of St. Jude in Illinois; and more.
Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation
Lunches, Dinners, 6 Breakfasts at hotel
$50 deposit per person due with reservation
$ Total cost per person (based on double occupancy) – TBD
Final payment due: September 1, 2025
Schedule
Coming soon
Pilgrimage stops
Pilgrimage includes:
National Shrine & Museum of St Therese, Darien, IL
Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Salina, KS
Mass at Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Sioux City, IA
Mass at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (founder Cardinal Burke), LaCrosse, WI
Mass at National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (apparition site), New Franken, WI
Mass at Basilica of Saint Josaphat, Milwaukee, WI
Mass at St Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, Iowa City, IA
Holy Family Shrine, Gretna, NE
Cloisters on the Platte Stations of the Cross, Gretna, NE
Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine, Sioux City, IA
The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, IA
Visit Mary of the Angels Chapel at St Rose Convent, LaCrosse, WI
Holy Hill Basilica & National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Hubertus, WI
National shrine of St. Jude, Chicago, IL
How to apply
Pilgrimage Guides: Bernie & Carolyn Berens
Call Carolyn or Bernie to answer any questions or to make a reservation:
785-826-0440 or 785-827-1018
Deposit and final payment payable to:
Pilgrims of Hope
Mail to:
Bernie/Carolyn Berens
735 Manchester Rd
Salina, KS 67401
Fr. Kapaun & Blessed Rother Pilgrimage – June 17 – June 18
Join us as we visit the shrine of Bl. Stanley Rother in Oklahoma City and the tomb of Emil Kapaun in Wichita.
About
Another local retreat will offer folks the opportunity to grow in faith through the intercession of Servant of God Fr. Emil Kapaun and Blessed Stanley Rother. Departing from Salina, pilgrims will go on a two day retreat venturing to see Blessed Stanley Rother’s shrine in Oklahoma City and the tomb of Fr. Kapaun at the Cathedral in Wichita.
Blessed Stanley Rother was an American priest and missionary known for his dedication to the indigenous people of Guatemala, where he served during a time of political turmoil. He was martyred on July 28, 1981, and was beatified by Pope Francis on December 9, 2016. He is known for his commitment to faith and social justice.
Father Emil Kapaun was an American Army chaplain who served during the Korean War, and he is known for his heroic acts of compassion and bravery in the face of adversity. He was captured by enemy forces in 1950, where he continued to care for fellow prisoners until his death in captivity; he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast at hotel
Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation
$25 deposit per person due with reservati
$ Total cost per person (Based on double occupancy) – TBD
Final payment due: May 30, 2025
Schedule
Coming soon
Pilgrimage Stops
Mass at Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, Oklahoma City, OK
Mass at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Wichita, KS & see Fr. Kapaun Tomb
Tour Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, Pilgrim Center & Tepeyac Hill
Visit Parish and Museum of Fr. Kapaun in Pilsen, KS
St. Thomas More Books & Gifts Catholic Religious Gift Store
How to apply
Diocese of Salina Lenten Pilgrimage
About
This spring, people can participate in a one-day pilgrimage across the diocese, visiting sacred places for prayer. The day starts in Salina at the Cathedral, from which pilgrims will visit St. Isidore’s in Manhattan; St. John the Baptist in Beloit; Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hays; and St. Fidelis Basilica.
Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation & Lunch
$25 deposit per person due with reservation
$ Total cost per person – TBD
Final Payment due: February 14, 2025
Schedule
Lenten Pilgrimage to Jubilee Churches in Diocese of Salina
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Schedule will be availible soon
Pilgrimage Includes:
Visit St. Fidelis Basilica, Victoria, KS
Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina, KS
Tour St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, Manhattan, KS
Tour St. John the Baptist Church and First Class Relic of St. Padre Pio, Beloit, KS
Tour Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays, KS
Pilgrimage Stops
Stops we will take:
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina
St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, Manhattan
St. John the Baptist Church, Beloit
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hays
St. Fidelis Basilica, Victoria
How to apply
Coming soon
Pilgrimage to Rome with Fr. Joseph Keifer
November 10-20, 2025, Fr. Joseph Kieffer and Fr. Tony Neusch are also leading a pilgrimage to Italy.
Schedule
11 DAYS: NOVEMBER 10 – 20, 2025
Detailed schedule will be availible soon
How to apply/ More Info
For More Information, Please Contact Fr. Kieffer:
Tel: (785) 337-2289
Email: frjoseph.kieffer@gmail.com
Cost
$4749 FROM DALLAS
*Air/land tour price is $4219 plus $530 gov’t taxes/airline surcharges
Pilgrimage Stops
Will be visiting:
Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Assisi & Rome
Including the opportunity to pass through the Holy Doors of the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City and 3 other major Bascilicas
Indulgences
The faithful can also obtain plenary indulgences in special ways this year, as they go along living out this message of hope. You may wonder, What is a Plenary Indulgence? A plenary indulgence removes the temporal punishment for sins already forgiven, essentially cleansing someone’s soul as if they were freshly baptized. This indulgence can be applied to the person who completes the conditions explained below, or to souls in purgatory, but cannot be transferred to another living person. You can obtain up to two indulgences for the deceased in one day.
Ways to obtain indulgences during the Jubilee Year:
- Pilgrimages: Visit designated churches or shrines.
- Works of Mercy: Engage in acts of kindness.
- Prayerful Visits to sacred places: Spend time in prayer at specific locations.
Conditions to Fulfill:
- Detachment from all sin.
- Sacramental confession.
- Holy Communion.
- Prayer for the pope’s intentions.
These conditions can be met a few days before or after the acts performed, but ideally, Communion and the prayer should be done on the same day.