Night Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Divino Amore

A journey of faith through the Roman night

The Night Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Divino Amore is one of the most deeply rooted and cherished religious traditions in Rome. For generations, every Saturday during the warmer months, pilgrims have set off in the heart of the night to walk to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore, located in the southern part of the capital in the Castel di Leva area along the Via Ardeatina. It is more than just a walk; it is a collective prayer experience that combines physical effort, silence, and Marian devotion, drawing thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds every year.

The route: approximately 15 km from Porta Capena to the Sanctuary

Departure is set for midnight from Piazza di Porta Capena, at the foot of the Circus Maximus in the center of Rome. From here, the procession of pilgrims travels along the Via Appia Antica and the Via Ardeatina, following the traditional routes of the Roman Marian path. The journey covers about 15 kilometers, with a scheduled 30-minute stop halfway, where facilities are available. Upon arrival at dawn, the pilgrimage concludes with the 5:00 AM Holy Mass at the Sanctuary. Along the way, pilgrims have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession.

The 2026 season

In 2026, the night pilgrimages take place every Saturday night, from the first Saturday after Easter (April 11) until the last Saturday of October (October 31). In addition to these weekly appointments, there are two extraordinary processions that have always marked the Sanctuary's Marian year: the one on August 14, the eve of the Assumption, and the one on December 7, the eve of the Immaculate Conception.

The pilgrimage for peace

Among the most significant events of the 2026 season was a special night pilgrimage for peace, held between the night of Saturday, April 18, and the dawn of Sunday, April 19. Promoted by the Migrants Office of the Diocese of Rome and animated by the various ethnic communities in the city with traditional songs and prayers in 22 different languages, the journey concluded with a Holy Mass presided over by Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina, serving as a powerful sign of fraternity and an invocation for peace among peoples.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore

The destination of the pilgrimage is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore, one of the main sites of Marian devotion in the Lazio region and the entire Diocese of Rome. Nestled in the Roman countryside, the complex includes the ancient sanctuary and the large new church, and for centuries it has been the guardian of a profound popular tradition: the bond between the people of Rome and the Madonna del Divino Amore is so strong that this night walk has become one of the city's defining rituals.

An experience open to all

The pilgrimage is free and requires no reservation: simply arrive at Piazza di Porta Capena about fifteen minutes before departure. Individual believers, families, parish groups, and associations all participate, creating a spirit of sharing that makes this night walk a unique moment in the landscape of religious events in Rome and Lazio.