Rorate Caeli

FSSP pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter organizes a three-day pilgrimage each year to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., "to do penance for our sins and for the sins of our nation."

This year's pilgrimage will begin on Thursday, 4 June, in Barnesville, Maryland, with Low Mass, and conclude on Saturday, 6 June, in Washington, with a Solemn High Mass.


In the past, brief announcements have been made on the pilgrimage, which Rorate has often covered.  A new effort has been made this year to better communicate the times and locations during these three days, with a detailed website.  It is designed to give information to those who are able to make the entire pilgrimage or to those who are able to make only some of the pilgrimage and concluding Mass.  On the third and final day, there is an opportunity to join the pilgrimage in Georgetown or the cathedral before ending at the basilica shrine.

The opportunity to hear a traditional Latin Solemn High Mass in the crypt church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a rare (annual) one, and a Gregorian chant schola of men will sing for what is always a beautiful liturgy, which in past years has been offered by the Reverend Father James Buckley, spiritual director at the FSSP's Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.  Deacon David Franco, who will be ordained a priest on 30 May, will offer this year's Mass, with the assistance of numerous seminarians on the pilgrimage.

The schedule for the pilgrimage can be found here.