Memorial Day Weekend at the Shrine
May 22 @ 12:00 pm – May 25 @ 5:00 pm
Free
Memorial Day Weekend—Additional National Shrine Events
These events enrich the pilgrimage weekend at the National Shrine, Mission Nombre de Dios, and along the First Coast Camino. These events are in addition to the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage schedule above.
Friday, May 22—National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche Shrine, St. Augustine
- 12:00 p.m. · Pilgrim Mass — Main Church
- 1:00–3:00 p.m. · Exposition — MainChurch
- 6:00–8:00 p.m. · Sacrament of Reconciliation (additional availability; multiple locations around the Shrine)
- 5:30–9:00 p.m. · Opening Concert & Welcome on the Great Cross Ellipse NOTE: This event requires a paid ticket for entry.
- 4:00–10:00 p.m. · Food trucks on the Shrine field
- Hospitality: Rest tents, picnic/family games; extended Gift Shop hours and National Eucharistic Pilgrimage souvenir tent
Saturday, May 23—National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche Shrine, St. Augustine
Sacraments & Devotions
- 12:00 p.m. · Pilgrim Mass — Main Church
- 1:30 P.M. · Spanish Mass— Main Church
- 8:30–11:30 a.m. & 3:00–7:00 p.m. · Reconciliation (additional availability; multiple Shrine locations)
- 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 p.m. · Exposition — Historic Chapel
- Periodic Group Devotions (all day): Rosary (Rosary Garden); Seven Sorrows of Mary (Sacred Acre; every ~2 hours); Stations of the Cross (Great Cross Ellipse) · 8:30 p.m. · Candlelit Rosary (Rosary Garden)
First Coast Camino (Order of Malta)
Camino de las Américas
First Coast Route — Mini Pilgrimage (2.5 mi)
- 9:30 a.m. · This guided mini pilgrimage offers a meaningful introduction to the growing Camino de las Américas network and invites pilgrims to begin their Camino journey to Santiago de Compostela right here in Florida. Pilgrims will be guided by members of the Order of Malta from Vilano Beach to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. Learn more here. Register for the Camino here.
Camino de las Américas
First Coast Route Pilgrimage (30 mi)
- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. · This self-guided pilgrimage follows the historic First Coast Route from Jacksonville Beach to St. Augustine, forming part of the growing Camino de las Américas network and offering pilgrims the opportunity to begin their Camino journey to Santiago de Compostela here in Florida. This is a self‑guided pilgrimage. You may begin your walk at any point along the First Coast Route, progressing toward St. Augustine. To receive stamps during National Eucharistic Pilgrimage events, please schedule your arrival at the Shrine between 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2025. Learn more here. Register for the Camino here.
Learn more about the First Coast Camino, the Feast of St. James and the connections to Camino Santiago.
Events & Speaker Series (Father Lopez Room unless otherwise noted)
- Lecture series: Flagler history; Lesson on the Rosary; Florida Martyrs; discussions with religious orders (e.g., SCTJM)
- 2:00–3:30 p.m. · Modified Founders’ Day Landing ceremony → procession of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage ceremonial monstrance (empty) to the Main Church in preparation for Sunday’s Mass; reenactor “celebrity” photo opportunities at various Shrine locations afterward
- EWTN “Hidden Gems” screenings throughout the weekend (Father Lopez Room)
- Offsite city walking tours at periodic times; Tram service to city center (Cathedral Basilica; St. Benedict the Moor relics tours)
- Ministry display tables (e.g., KofC, HLD) at the Welcome Center (Gift Shop/Museum), 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24—National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche Shrine, St. Augustine
- 1:00 p.m. · Pilgrim Mass — Main Church
- Service Project
Monday, May 25—National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche Shrine, St. Augustine
- Prior to 12:00 p.m. · Memorial Day wreath ceremony (Shrine grounds)
- 12:00 p.m. Mass — Rustic Altar
- Hosting: EP Cadre’s Retreat on Shrine grounds (daytime)
Click here to download the Memorial Day Weekend event flyer.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes and modest, weather-appropriate attire
- Water bottle, hat/sunglasses, sunscreen, light snack
- Rosary and small prayer book (optional)
How to Participate
- Walk with the procession for one or more days
- Adore the Lord in silent prayer during Eucharistic Adoration, pauses and stops
- Sing and praise with participating choirs, musicians and music ministers
- Serve as a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage local event volunteer
- Invite friends and neighbors to encounter Christ’s love
Accessibility
The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche is wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking is available in designated areas in the National Shrine parking lot. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on site, on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions regarding accessibility, please contact info@missionandshrine.org.