Pilgrimages

Education and Prayer in the Footsteps of Christ

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has always been a pilgrim Order. Foremost in the mind of the first crusaders was a determination to pray at the Holy Places throughout Palestine and Israel and, thereby, obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. For nine hundred years, members of the Order have traced the route from their homes to the Holy Land to marvel at the places where Our Lord was born, preached, died and was resurrected. A Pilgrimage has always been and remains , an important event and act of religious devotion in the lives of members of the Order.

The Lieutenancy is committed to promoting pilgrimages to the Holy Land as the best means of experiencing  the Order’s commitment to the Christian Community in the Holy Land. The Pilgrim Shell is the most prized
decoration of the Equestrian Order. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem or his delegate presents the decoration to Knights and Dames who have visited the Holy Land and prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The shell is based on the seashells worn on the cloaks of pilgrims who successfully reached the great medieval shrine of St. James the Apostle at Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The Duty of Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre and the Holy Land is a moral obligation of every Knight and Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and should be realized with the help of God at least once during one’s lifetime.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord and to the other sacred places is also an act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land. Our presence among them is an encouragement to the Christian

For a foretaste of the graces and experiences which await you in the Holy Land, please watch the video below.

Pilgrimage Coordinator

Pilgrimages are organized and chaplained by many different members, priests and religious of our order, along with professional pilgrimage agencies chosen for their broad experience in the Holy Land.

Pilgrimage Schedule

Walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

Given that pilgrimage planning is completely dependent on the security and safety situation in the Holy Land, please check back for alternative local, national and international pilgrimage opportunities sponsored by the EOHSJ through the next year.

Please ensure frequent communication with pilgrimage coordinators for Holy Land pilgrimage availability and/or cancellations as they monitor the political situation.


OCTOBER 2024

October 16 – 28, 2024: A Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes, including Lisbon, Porto, Santiago, Oviedo, San Sebastian & Toulouse.

Under the Spiritual Leadership of: Bishop Marc Trudeau & Fr. Mark Strader Group Coordinators: Viktor and Mary Beth Rzeteljski. For pricing, itinerary and registration information click below. Register before April 15, 2024.


OCTOBER 2024

October 21 to November 3, 2024: A Spiritual & Cultural Journey to Portugal and Spain, including Fatima, Lisbon, Jerez, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Marbella, Granada, Toledo, Avila, Segovia, Madrid & More! Under the Spiritual Direction of Fr. Lawrence Seyer, Pastor Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Montecito, California.


NOVEMBER 2024

November 11 to 16, 2024: A Pilgrimage to Mexico & The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Under the Spiritual Direction and Leadership of Rev. Sir. Preston Passos, KHS St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Camarillo, California, with Deacon Sir Ryan Adams KCHS & Dame Wynsdey Adams DC*HS


FEBRUARY 2025

February 18 to 27, 2025: From Francis to Francis: A Jubilee Pilgrimage to Assisi & Rome. Under the Spiritual Direction and Leadership of Rev. Vaughn Winters. Group Coordinator, Mrs. Molly McCarthy.


MARCH 2025

March 10 to 22, 2025: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. Under the Spiritual Direction of:Rev. Sir Michael Bucciarelli, KCHS& Rev. Sir Patrick Crino, KHSHosted by: Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Western USA Lieutenancy – Tucson Council. CouncilPricing, Brochure and Registration available after May 25, 2024

Click here for details and contact information.


MARCH 2025

March 11 to 22, 2025: A Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy – Rome, Orvieto, Assisi, L’Aquila, Pompeii and more! Under the Spiritual Leadership of Most Rev. Sir Alberto Rojas, KC*HS Diocese of San Bernardino, California. Group Coordinator: Dame Densy Chandra, DGCHS, Area Co-Councillor of the Diocese of San Bernardino


MARCH 2025

March 17, 2025 – March 29 , 2025: A Spiritual Journey to Italy. Hosted by Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Western USA Lieutenancy / Las Vegas Council. Under the Spiritual Direction of Rev. Roy Kurian, O.Ss.T. & Deacon James Carabajal, KCHS (of Phoenix). Group Coordinators: Sir Joe Micatrotto, KGCHS & Dame Connie Micatrotto, DGCHS. Pricing, itinerary and registration available after May 20, 2024.


APRIL 2025

April 3 to 15, 2025: A Spiritual Journey to Greece in the Footsteps of St. Paul & the Early Christians, including a Greek Isle Cruise. Under the Guidance of Rev. Felix Just, SJ, PhD and
Ms. Gail Gresser, MA.


MAY 2025

May 6, 2025 – May 17 , 2025: Save the Dates! Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Under the Spiritual Direction & Leadership of Rev. Francis Mendoza, and Deacon Sir Ryan Adams, KCHS & Dame Wynsdey Adams DC*HS, St. Finbar Parish in Burbank.  Pricing, Itinerary, and Registration available after July 20, 2024.

Click here for details and contact information.


OCTOBER 2025

October 20 – November 1, 2025: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. Under the Spiritual Direction of Fr. Daniel Rolland, O.P., Director of St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at U.N.L.V. & Deacon James Carabajal, KCHS (of Phoenix). Group Coordinators: Sir Joe Micatrotto, KGCHS & Dame Connie Micatrotto, DGCHS. Pricing, Itinerary, and Registration available after January 1, 2025.

Click here for details and contact information.


NOVEMBER 2025

November 2, 2025 – November 16, 2025: Save the Dates! Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Under the Spiritual Direction and Leadership of: Rev. Sir Vaughn Winters, KCHS, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Santa Clarita & Deacon Sir Ryan Adams, KCHS, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Pricing, Itinerary, and Registration available after January 15, 2025.

Click here for details and contact information.


Past Pilgrimages


SEPTEMBER 2023      

September 1, 2023 – September 16, 2023: A Very Special Holy Land Pilgrimage with H.E. Patrick Powers, Knight of the Collar, Vice Governor General of Honor, and Amer Shehadeh, MA, KCHS, Licensed Guide for over 30 Years and Founder of BesTouR.


The Pilgrim Shell

The Pilgrim Shell is the most treasured decoration of the Order and is awarded by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Any Knight or Dame of the Order in good standing, who makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and prays at the site of the Holy Sepulchre of our Risen Lord, can earn the Pilgrim Shell. It testifies that the Knight or Dame of the Order has seen the results of his or her charity and knows the importance of the mission of the Order and the fulfillment of the apostolate. It is the goal of every member. For those who have made a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land before invested into the Order or who have traveled independently or on non-Order Pilgrimages, there is a process for receiving the Pilgrim Shell at the Annual Meeting. An itinerary, brochure and summary must be submitted to the Lieutenancy office for approval and submission to Rome. 

The Pilgrim Shell is a scalloped shell, the ancient badge of a pilgrim, oxidized in silver and overlaid with the Cross of Godfrey of Bouillon enameled in red and bordered in gold. Originally, the symbol of a complete pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James the Apostle at Compostela, Spain, the shell is now the universal sign of pilgrimage. The shell reminds us that we are all pilgrims on earth and members of a pilgrim Church. It is also a pledge to aid the needy, especially in the Holy Land. It is worn on the outside of the cape, scalloped edge down, centered on the red felt cross of the Order. The Pilgrim Shell and the 2000 Jubilee medal are the only decorations to be worn on the cape. When worn with other decorations on business or formal attire, no decoration is placed above the Pilgrim Shell.

Pilgrim Stories

Due to the natural beauty and extensive work of preservation of the holy places over the centuries, along with graces available as a result of walking in Christ’s footsteps, a pilgrimage will most certainly endow our EOHSJ members with a genuine enriching of their spiritual life, understanding of the Gospels, and fervor for our ministry. Many members chronicle and generously share their experiences with a hope to encourage other members to make their journey.

Two Pilgrims’ Personal Diary – 2018 

Cardinal Roger Mahony’s 29 Steppers . . . Living Stones of Jesus 2014

March 2023 Pilgrimage Gallery