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+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
The Washington Monument and the reflecting pool at sunset

American Catholic Heritage, Baltimore and the Nation’s Capital

Baltimore, Emmitsburg, Washington and Chantilly

Seven days from America’s first cathedral in Baltimore to the national shrines of the capital, by way of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Emmitsburg.

Departures

Current Tours to the United States

Upcoming departures to the United States. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Four stops in Maryland and the capital

Baltimore, Emmitsburg, Washington, D.C. and Chantilly.

Itinerary · AM_US-7D-06

The Baltimore and Washington Itinerary

Seven days with two nights in Baltimore, three in Washington and a final night near Dulles. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Days 1–2

Baltimore

The United States Capitol in Washington
Basilica of the Assumption, Baltimore
Day 1

Arrival in Baltimore

We are met on arrival and accompanied by motorcoach to the hotel for check-in.Welcome dinner and overnight in Baltimore.
Day 2

Baltimore

The Basilica of the Assumption is America’s first cathedral, among the first major religious buildings raised after the Constitution. We continue to St. Mary’s Spiritual Center, a place of formation since 1791, then the home of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Shrine of St. Jude.Mass at St. Mary’s Spiritual Center. Dinner and overnight in Baltimore.
Day 3

Emmitsburg

BAND 2, NATIONAL SHRINE GROTTO OF LOURDES, EMMITSBURG
National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, Emmitsburg
Day 3

Emmitsburg and Washington

At the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton we honour the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonised. The National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes sits high on the mountainside, one of the oldest American replicas of the French shrine.Mass at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Dinner and overnight in Washington.
Days 4–5

The Nation’s Capital

BAND 3, BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Day 4

Consecration to Our Lady

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, then the St. John Paul II National Shrine and the Franciscan Monastery on Mount St. Sepulchre, whose catacombs preserve relics of St. Benignus of Armagh brought from Rome.Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine. Dinner and overnight in Washington.
Day 5

Washington

The Capitol Visitor Center, the White House Visitor Center and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, then the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.Mass this evening. Dinner and overnight in Washington.
Days 6–7

Chantilly and Departure

BAND 4, BASILICA OF ST. MARY, ALEXANDRIA
Basilica of St. Mary, Alexandria
Day 6

Chantilly

The Udvar-Hazy Center, the Smithsonian air and space annex, holds the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Enola Gay among its exhibits.Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary. Dinner and overnight near Washington Dulles.
Day 7

Departure

After a final breakfast we transfer to Washington Dulles for our flight home, carrying the witness of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the shrines of Baltimore and the capital.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
IMMERSIVE BAND, MOUNT ST. SEPULCHRE
Mount St. SepulchreThe Franciscans built the Holy Land in Washington: a replica Holy Sepulchre, a Grotto of Bethlehem and Roman catacombs, for pilgrims who could not sail.
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
The Washington Monument seen from below with flags
The Washington Monument
The reflecting pool and the Washington Monument at dusk
The reflecting pool, Washington
GALLERY 3, ST. JOHN PAUL II NATIONAL SHRINE, WASHINGTON
St. John Paul II National Shrine, Washington
GALLERY 4, FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF THE HOLY LAND IN AMERICA
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
GALLERY 5, MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE, WASHINGTON
Museum of the Bible, Washington
GALLERY 6, UDVAR-HAZY CENTER, CHANTILLY
Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Baltimore and Washington?

Spring and autumn. Late March into April brings the cherry blossom to the capital, and September and October are clear and mild. Summer is hot and humid and the museums are at their busiest. Winter is quiet, with the shrines open and the crowds gone.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport for this pilgrimage?

No. The route stays entirely within the United States, so United States citizens travel on a government-issued photo ID. Pilgrims travelling from outside the country should check their own entry requirements.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to the United States?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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