Holy Thursday Pilgrimages
It is a tradition “…a Holy Thursday devotion, credited to St. Philip Neri, that grew out of this “watching” for the Resurrection of Jesus. For centuries Catholics in many parts of the world – especially Italy, Poland, Mexico, and the Philippines – have been visiting seven churches in their diocese on Holy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This pilgrimage practice originated in Rome, where the faithful visited the seven Roman basilicas, saying prayers and “watching” in adoration at each. They are: St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. Paul-outside-the-walls, St. Sebastian, Santa Croce-in-Jerusalem, and St. Lawrence-outside-the-walls.
The pilgrimage to each church corresponds to the seven “stops” or “stations” of the via crucis that were made by Jesus on his way to Calvary.
We have put together three different routes that you can follow this Holy Thursday. Choose one so you can plan your pilgrimage.
ROUTES UPDATED 3/20/24