On November 14, 2026, Council 11445 will be leading a pilgrimage to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to visit the St. Anthony Shrine and several other churches.
Stops will include:
- Old St. Patrick’s: Founded in 1808, this is Pittsburgh’s first Catholic parish and it anchors the south end of the Strip District. Rebuilt in 1938 after a devastating fire, it has a replica of the Holy Steps in Rome. The 28 white marble steps represent the steps Jesus climbed to stand before Pontius Pilate, and may only be climbed on one’s knees while praying.
- St. Stanislaus Kostka: Pittsburgh’s first Polish parish, dedicated in 1892 and featuring Romanesque Polish Cathedral-style architechture, this church anchors the north end of the Strip District. Inside it features majestic stained glass and stunning frescoes. On September 20, 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła—the future St. Pope John Paul II—visited the church and prayed there, commenting on how much it reminded him of the churches back in Poland.
- St. Anthony Shrine and Chapel: Home to the largest collection of relics outside of the Vatican, St. Anthony’s Chapel houses over 5000 first class relics that were rescued from Europe. The altar contains a relic from the table on which the Last Supper was celebrated, and it is surrounded by first class relics of all the apostles, all of the saints in the First Eucharistic Prayer, and most of the saints in the Second Eucharistic Prayer. The Chapel also contains near-lifesize Stations of the Cross.
- Holy Name of Jesus: The parish of St. Anthony Chapel, Holy Name of Jesus is right next door. It was established in 1866 in Troy Hill, overlooking the city, and it served a predominantly German population. From this parish, St. Anthony’s Chapel was constructed to house the growing collection of relics.
- Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District: Once home to bustling steel mills and wholesale companies, the Strip District is now a collection of specialty shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Itinerary
- 7:30am: Depart St. Michaels
- 10:45am: Arrive at Old St. Patrick’s Church
- Self-guided walking tour of Old St. Patrick’s, the Strip District, and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
- 1:30pm: Depart St. Stanislaus Kostka Chuch for St. Anthony Shrine
- 2:00pm: Formal guided tour of St. Anthony’s Shrine
- 3:00-4:00pm: Personal prayer time at the chapel, visit the gift shop, and tour Holy Name Church next door
- 4:00pm: Vigil Mass at St. Anthony’s, celebrated by Fr. Dailey
- 5:15pm: Depart St. Anthony’s for Columbus
- 8:30pm: Arrive at St. Michael’s
Plenary Indulgence
The Vatican has declared the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi to be a jubilee year. Going on this pilgrimage qualifies as one of the requirements for a plenary indulgence. To obtain the plenary indulgence during the Year of Saint Francis, certain specific conditions indicated by the Church must be fulfilled: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, certain prayers according to the intentions of the Pope, interior detachment from sin, and the performance of certain works, such as a pious pilgrimage to Franciscan churches, participation in Jubilee celebrations, prayer and meditation in the Franciscan spirit, as well as daily acts of charity and humility that express the spirituality of Saint Francis.Please indicate your interest in joining this pilgrimage below.
More details, including transportation arrangements, will follow.