Pilgrimages & Retreats

We welcome you to visit this beautiful National Shrine!  May you grow closer to Christ through Mary. From the 1930s to the early 1960s, large numbers of clergy, religious and laity made their way to the Mission Nombre de Dios and the, now, the National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche . Pilgrimages are once again coming to be viewed as important sources of inspiration, community prayer and devotion. St. Pope John Paul II invited and encouraged pilgrimages to designated shrines during the Jubilee Year of 2000. The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche is one such shrine.

In an age fraught with escalating mobility, the need for pilgrimage is more critical and relevant than ever.  Pilgrimage permits us to step off the rollercoaster of everyday life, listen intently to the Word of God, and reverently share in the Eucharist. Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, allows us to be in touch with some of the earliest history of the Church of Florida.

As the site of the first Catholic parish mass, the first Marian shrine and the founding of St. Augustine, the oldest city, all in the United States, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios provides a great opportunity for spiritual growth.

We greatly appreciate advanced notice of groups over 15 people (suggested donation of $100).  This is to help us prepare for a large group.  We may have multiple events going on or a special event that you should be notified about.  Thank you in advance.

To celebrate Mass all priests outside the Diocese of St. Augustine must have a Letter of Good Standing submitted to and approved by our Chancellor’s office PRIOR to celebrating Mass.  Monday-Saturday we will not schedule groups after 3:30pm and on Sundays no groups after 3pm for Masses. It is best that visiting priests bring their own vestments and Mass kit, please double check with us if this will be a challenge.

Let us host your pilgrimage or retreat! Complete the form below and our pilgrimage coordinator will be in contact with you shortly. If you have any questions, contact Sister Christine Hernandez, SCTJM, at sr.christine@missionandshrine.org.