This post is about my recent trip to Washington, DC. I’ve visited Washington five times. Most of those visits have been to see and visit the popular government buildings, museums, memorials, and monuments.

This visit was different. Instead of going to see more tourist type sites, this trip to Washington was a pilgrimage.  It was a physical journey as well as a spiritual journey to seek and experience God’s presence. I specifically went to visit and spend time in four churches – The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The Washington National Cathedral, St. John’s Church, and the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.

Jubilee 2025

This year is a Jubilee year for the Catholic Church.  Jubilee’s are outlined in the Bible (see Leviticus 25). Beginning in 1300, the Catholic Church established it’s first Jubilee and since 1470 they occur every 25 years. Jubilees are set as a special time for forgiveness and reconciliation, for a return to faith, and for restoration. In Biblical times, debts were forgiven, indentured slaves were freed, the land was not farmed, and property was returned to the original owners during a Jubilee year.  A Jubilee year was a reset period for celebration, restoration, rest, and reconciliation. It was also a time when many made pilgrimages to holy sites to renew their faith and to return home.

Many will visit Rome and the Holy Land this Jubilee year.  I decided to take a pilgrimage closer to home and visit these churches in Washington DC. The Basilica was my primary focus as it’s been designated as a Pilgrim Church for the Jubilee year, which makes available the same spiritual benefits that the Pope has made available for pilgrims who visit the four main cathedrals in Rome.

I drove to Washington in my RV and stayed outside of the city at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD. It’s a very nice RV park with easy access to the Metro for getting into Washington. (I’ve stayed at Cherry Hill Park for some of my previous visits).

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This is the largest Catholic Church in North America. It was conceived and built as a shrine to God and to honor Mary. The initial church was completed in 1926 and ultimately finished in 1959. It was designated as a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1990. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict, and Pope Francis have visited the church.

The church receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is a destination for pilgrims from all over the world. It’s very fitting that in our Nations capital, where there are numerous huge monuments honoring, men and women, wars, and branches of government, there is also a huge church honoring God.

The church is huge. It has two levels – the upper level with the main church and a crypt level with a lower church. There are 80 side chapels that honor Mary.  Words and pictures would not do it justice so I made a video of the church, which you can see below.

The imagery in the church is extensive. Most of the imagery are mosaics made from pieces of colored glass. Its interesting that many of the ceiling mosaics are of heavenly images based on Bible passages. Those bible passages (e.g. from John and Revelation) give us in words glimpses into heaven. Here in the Basilica, as you look upwards, you will see a visual interpretation of what the author has written. My eyes were often drawn to the ceiling as I wandered around the church.

I was at the church for over 4 hours. It was a positive and fulfilling experience. I explored the church, went on a guided tour, sat in Adoration before the blessed sacrament, went to confession, and attended Mass. My intent was to spend time with God and draw closer to him. By visiting the church, going to confession, attending Mass, and praying for the Pope, I was able to take advantage of the special indulgence made available during this Jubilee year. I enjoyed my visit and wish I had gone back for a second day to spend time in the chapels. That will be my focus if I return.

FYI – there is no charge of fee to enter or visit the church.

Washington National Cathedral

The original plans for the city of Washington by Pierre L’Enfant, called for a “great church of national purposes” to be built in the new capital city. The building of the church never materialized until 1893 when the Episcopal Church was granted a charter to construct of a cathedral to promote learning, religion, and charity. Construction of the church began in 1907 and was it was completed in 1990.

The cathedral is home to the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and for the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington. It is also known for holding many state funerals, memorial services, and presidential prayer services.

It’s a huge church – one of the largest in the world. Like many Protestant churches, it doesn’t have the imagery or statuary of divine entities as seen in Catholic churches. But the stonework, woodwork, craftmanship, artistry, architecture, and design are awesome and that’s what impressed me. It didn’t convey a sense of being holy or sacred, but it is a beautiful and impressive building.

I made a video during my visit, which you can view below.

I’m glad I did this visit. It was historical and awe inspiring – to see this massive and beautiful church where so many presidential funerals and prayer services have been held. The church charges a fee for a self guided tour. I paid $12 for my self guided tour.

St John’s Church

Behind Lafayette Square, there’s a small historic church called St John’s Church. It was built in 1816 and looks out of place among all the newer buildings. It’s an Episcopal Church and also known as The Presidents Church. Being just a short walk from the White House, every President since James Madison has attended a service at the church.

I’ve walked by this church several times on prior visits.  During this trip, I wanted to see the interior and it’s history. The church is small compared to the other churches. There is much history in the church – kneeling pads used by prior presidents, the President’s Pew, and the pew used by Abraham Lincoln. I sat next to the President’s Pew and thought about all the men who sat there praising God and asking for his help and guidance.

The church is open to the public and there is no fee to visit.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

I was referred to this church by a friend at my church. She suggested I visit it during my trip to Washington. It’s a Franciscan Monastery located in a residential neighborhood. It’s about a 3/4 mile walk from the Brookland-CUA metro station. There’s a church, a chapel, monastery, and beautiful gardens at the monastery.  There are 12 Holy Land Franciscan friars who live in the monastery.

Here’s a quick history to give you some background – St. Francis of Assisi made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early 1200’s, during the Crusades period. While there, he met with the Sultan al-Kamil. During his talks with the Sultan, the Franciscans were given caretaker custody to look after several holy Christian sites/shrines in the Holy Land. They continue this role today.

The Franciscan Monastery in Washington was built to create awareness and to help raise funds for this cause. The monastery was built in the early 1900’s. The church was built in the shape of a Jerusalem cross. The interior was designed to depict replicas of some parts the holy shrines and places in the Holy Land. It is very ornate inside and uses some Islamic features in the design. The Monastery is surrounded by beautiful flower gardens.

During my visit, there was no photography allowed inside the church. I got some pictures from the Monastery website to share below.

I spent about 2 hrs in the church – exploring and sitting in silent prayer. It’s very quiet – there were only 2 other people in the church during my visit.

I’m glad I visited the Monastery. I learned more about the Franciscans and got to see examples of what some of the Holy Land sites may look like. That was unexpected – to see examples of the Stone of Anointing and The Holy Sepulchre (the Tomb of Jesus).

So, that was my trip and my pilgrimage. I wasn’t sure what to expect so I got to experience the unexpected. I experienced God’s presence, mercy, love, and forgiveness at the Basilica. I saw history – where Presidents sat and prayed to God at St. John’s. I saw a grandiose shrine to God at the National Cathedral.  And, I got a glimpse into what the holy places in Jerusalem may be like. It all brought me closer to God, which was my purpose and made it a worthwhile trip.

 

PS. While in Washington, I also visited the National Archives, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and the Smithsonian National Zoo.