1. Choose a location. This can be a church, shrine or altar/statue dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Researching locations can be a form of spiritual preparation because it will prompt you to consider why you are making this pilgrimage at this time in your life.
   
   
2. Invite others to accompany you. Ask friends, family, or parishioners to join you and make it an opportunity for community faith building. Consider sharing a meal together afterwards; if it’s a nice day, plan for a picnic and enjoy the beauty of creation!
   
   
3. Spiritually prepare. Think about why you have chosen to make this pilgrimage and any intentions that you will bring to Jesus through our Blessed Mother. Write down your specific intentions and prayers of thanksgiving and carry them with you as you make the pilgrimage.
   
   
4. Keep a spirit of prayer and penance. Prayer is what makes a pilgrimage different from an ordinary journey to a destination. You could pray one set of the Mysteries of the Rosary on the way there and another on the way back.
   
   
5. Pack the essentials. These could include a Bible, rosary, prayer booklet or card with Marian prayers, rosary, a prayer booklet or prayer card with a Marian litany, and your prayer intentions. Pack food and beverages if you’ve planned a picnic.

At the site:

• pray another set of the Mysteries of the Rosary (or two if you are praying all four mysteries);
• pray the Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or Litany of Loretto (Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary);
• pray for the intentions of the Pope and the needs of the Church and your pilgrimage companions;
• spend some time in silence;
• pray the Angelus, the Regina Caeli or the Magnificat;
• celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation;
• consecrate or renew consecration to Our Lady.