JMJ PILGRIMAGES PAKISTAN

JMJ HISTORY

According to many, it is the most beautiful invention of Pope John Paul II. In 1984, the Pope decided to organize a gathering on Palm Sunday, in Rome, to celebrate the Youth Jubilee of the Holy Year of Redemption 1983-1984. Sixty thousand pilgrims were expected, however 250 thousand young people from different countries around the world attended the event.
The experience was so meaningful for the entire Church that the Holy Father decided to repeat the celebration the following year. In this gathering, 300 thousand young pilgrims were distributed among the churches of the city for moments of prayer and catechesis, followed by a full gathering in Saint Peter’s Square to participate in the celebration with the Pope. This same year, 1985, John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Exhortation to the young people of the whole world, and on 20 December, he announced the institution of World Youth Day.

CATHOLIC EVENTS PILGRIMAGES

Catholic events and pilgrimages include journeys to holy sites such as the Holy Land, Rome, and Guadalupe, as well as events at major Marian shrines like Fatima and Lourdes. Many pilgrimages focus on a specific theme, like following in the footsteps of an apostle or celebrating a particular feast day, and some are dedicated walking tours, such as the Camino de Santiago. Annual events like the Walk to Mary in Wisconsin also draw many participants. The Catholic Church, rich in tradition and liturgical life, categorizes certain days as solemnities, feasts, or memorials. These designations help the faithful focus on different aspects of the faith and the lives of saints, offering opportunities for celebration, reflection, and growth in spirituality.

Major Pilgrimage Destinations:

Holy Land:

Pilgrimages to Israel focus on sites connected to the life of Jesus, including Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Vatican City Rome:

The Vatican City, home to St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, is a central destination for many Catholic pilgrimages, notes this article from Select International Tours.

Fatima, Portugal:

This site is dedicated to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children.

Lourdes, France:

A popular pilgrimage site, known for its Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and its healing waters.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico:

This is a major pilgrimage site for Catholics in the Americas.

Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Another significant Marian apparition site.

Special Pilgrimage Destinations:

Special Catholic pilgrimage destinations include the Holy Land (Jerusalem, Bethlehem), Rome (Vatican City), Lourdes, Fatima, and Santiago de Compostela. Other popular sites are the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Assisi in Italy, and sites in Poland connected to Divine Mercy and St. John Paul II.

Walking Pilgrimages:

Routes like the Camino de Santiago in Spain or the Camino Portuguese are popular for their walking and reflective nature.

Themed Tours:

Many tours have a specific theme, such as following the footsteps of St. Paul in Greece or the Divine Mercy pilgrimage to Poland.

Annual Events:

Events like the Walk to Mary in Wisconsin draw pilgrims for a 22-mile walk to America's only church-approved Marian apparition site.

Events at major shrines:

Some pilgrimages are tied to specific feast days or events at famous shrines.

Catholic Holy Feasts

A Catholic pilgrimage can be a physical journey to a holy site or a symbolic one during a feast day, like Easter or the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Major pilgrimage sites include Rome, Jerusalem, the Camino de Santiago, and shrines like Lourdes. Many communities organize special Masses, processions, and prayers for both holy days and specific feasts throughout the year.

The Camino de Santiago:

Many people take this famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, particularly in the lead-up to the feast of St. James, the patron saint of Spain.

Feast of the Assumption of Mary:

Some travel to sacred Marian sites or shrines around August 15th to honor the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Holy Week and Easter:

Pilgrimages to Jerusalem or other holy sites in the Holy Land are common during Holy Week to retrace the final days of Jesus's life, culminating in Easter.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception:

Some may undertake a pilgrimage to a shrine dedicated to the Immaculate Conception on or around December 8th.

The Feast of Christ the King:

Pilgrimages to a local or major cathedral for the celebration of this feast day are also common.

Research destinations:

Find a location holy to that feast day, such as a specific shrine, a site associated with a saint's life, or a place of historical importance in the Church.