Diocesan Pilgrimage of Cremona — Sanctuary of Caravaggio

The Start of the Pastoral Year

For the Diocese of Cremona, the annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Caravaggio is the act that opens the new pastoral year. It is a moment that brings together priests, religious, and laity from all over the diocese in the great Marian basilica of Santa Maria del Fonte, in the municipality of Caravaggio, in the province of Bergamo, under the guidance of the bishop.

An Afternoon of Prayer

The program focuses on the afternoon. It begins with the Rosary, followed by the act of entrustment before the image of the Virgin with the singing of the litanies. The culminating moment is the Mass in procession, celebrated in the garden in front of the basilica and presided over by the bishop: a large congregation praying together outdoors, in the heart of the sanctuary.

Jubilee Tone and Youth

The pilgrimage takes on a jubilee tone, as the Sanctuary of Caravaggio is one of the diocese's jubilee churches. A prominent role is reserved for young people and the diocesan scout groups, who undertake a "pilgrimage of hope" starting from the Caravaggio train station and walking to the sanctuary, concluding with the renewal of scout promises.

A Community on the Move

Also streamed on diocesan channels, the pilgrimage is more than a celebration: it is the visible sign of a diocesan community on the move, choosing the Marian sanctuary of Caravaggio as the spiritual starting point for its year. An event that renews the ancient bond between the Diocese of Cremona and this place of devotion.