JMJ PILGRIMAGES PAKISTAN

Some of the world's most famous Marian holy shrines include the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, and the Jasna Góra Monastery (Our Lady of Częstochowa) in Poland. Other prominent shrines are located in Fatima, Portugal; Zaragoza, Spain; and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the USA.

FATIMA, PORTUGAL

Fátima, Portugal is a significant Catholic pilgrimage site in central Portugal, known for the Sanctuary of Fátima. It is located approximately 88 miles (142 km) north of Lisbon and is famous for the 1917 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children, a series of events that led to a major solar phenomenon on October 13, 1917. The sanctuary complex includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the modern Basilica of the Holy Trinity.Pilgrimages to Fátima, Portugal, are centered around the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in 1917. Visitors can participate in religious ceremonies and visit key sites like the Sanctuary of Fátima, the Chapel of Apparitions, and the homes of the children in Aljustrel. Pilgrimages are often timed around the anniversary dates of May 13th and October 13th but are available year-round.

LOURDES, FRANCE

Lourdes is a town in southwestern France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, renowned as a major Catholic pilgrimage site centered around the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Millions of visitors come to the Grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to a young woman named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, and where a spring is said to have miraculous healing powers. The town offers various attractions, including the Sanctuary, the Grotto, the Baths, and opportunities for prayer and reflection.Pilgrimages to Lourdes, France, are a significant Catholic tradition centered around the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Visitors can participate in rituals like drinking or bathing in the spring water, attending daily processions and masses, praying at the Grotto of Massabielle, and climbing the Stations of the Cross. The main pilgrimage season runs from April to October, with the most popular times being May and September for good weather and moderate crowds.

GUADALUPE, MEXICO

"Guadalupe" in Mexico can refer to several locations, most notably the major city in the state of Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area. Other prominent places named Guadalupe include the island off the Baja California coast famous for shark diving, the town in Zacatecas, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, a major pilgrimage site. There is also the Sierra de Guadalupe mountains in Mexico City.Pilgrimages to Guadalupe, Mexico, center on the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. Millions of pilgrims visit each year to see the miraculous tilma of Saint Juan Diego, which bears the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and to seek spiritual solace, healing, or a deeper connection to their faith. These journeys often include other significant religious and historical sites, such as the pyramids of Teotihuacan or churches in Puebla.

APARECIDA, BRAZIL

Aparecida, Brazil, is a city in the state of São Paulo known as the country's main Catholic pilgrimage site, drawing millions of visitors annually to the enormous National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. The shrine is the second-largest church in the world and is built around a 1717 statue of the Virgin Mary found by fishermen. Pilgrims also visit the historic old basilica and walk the Passarela da Fé (Pathway of Faith).Pilgrimages to Aparecida, Brazil, are centered on the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida, one of the world's largest Marian shrines. Millions of pilgrims travel here by foot, bike, or car for spiritual reasons, with October 12th being a major event. Visitors can participate in religious services, seek blessings, or fulfill vows, and the site is known as the "spiritual capital of Brazil".Many pilgrims are seeking solace, miracles, or to fulfill vows related to Our Lady of Aparecida.

JASNA GORA, POLAND

Jasna Góra (Polish for "Luminous Mount") is a prominent sanctuary and a major Roman Catholic pilgrimage site located in the city of Częstochowa, in southern Poland. It is the home of the Jasna Góra Monastery and the revered icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa (Our Lady of Częstochowa).The Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, is a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one of the country's places of pilgrimage. The image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, also known as Our Lady of Częstochowa, to which miraculous powers are attributed, is one of Jasna Góra's most precious treasures.Jasna Góra Monastery was founded in 1382 by Pauline monks who came from Hungary at the invitation of Vladislaus II of Opole. The new monastery was entrusted with the icon, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child, known as the Black Madonna of Częstochowa or Our Lady of Częstochowa.

MEDJUGORJA, BOSNIA

Medjugorje is a small town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, famous as a major Catholic pilgrimage site since 1981 due to alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It draws millions of visitors who visit religious sites like Apparition Hill and St. James Church, and it has become a spiritual hub with an economy driven by religious tourism.The town became a pilgrimage site after six local children reported seeing the Virgin Mary on a hill above the village in 1981. Medjugorje is considered a major center for Catholic pilgrimage, attracting millions of visitors seeking spiritual guidance and healing.The site where the first apparitions reportedly occurred. Pilgrims hike up the hill to pray, and a statue of the Queen of Peace is located at the spot of the original apparitions.Many visitors report experiencing a profound sense of spiritual renewal, peace, and healing during their time in Medjugorje.