Saturday, October 10 · With Fr. Asher and Fr. Caley
Faithful from the chapels of the Bay Area walk from Monterey to the Basilica of San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel, where Fr. Junípero Serra rests, to lay their petitions at the feet of Our Lady.
Register on EviteSince 2016 · Organized by St. Aloysius Retreat House
Each October, pilgrims gather at St. Aloysius Retreat House before setting out for Monterey, to begin the walk south to Carmel. What began with twenty-seven pilgrims has continued as a yearly tradition: from El Estero Park, through the streets of Monterey, and on along the coast until the bell towers of the old mission rise above the trees.
Pilgrims arrive footsore and singing, to kneel where Fr. Serra himself once knelt, and to entrust the intentions of their families, their parishes, and the whole Church to the Mother of God.
Join us on this pilgrimage and offer the day for your own special intentions, or for the intentions of our faithful.
“We go up on foot, as pilgrims always have, because some graces are only granted to those willing to walk for them.”— A pilgrim
Pilgrims gather at St. Aloysius Retreat House. Donuts, coffee, and juice are served in the lower courtyard.
Cars leave Los Gatos together for the coast.
971 Pearl Street, Monterey. Restrooms available; please bring your own lunch. Fr. Asher and Fr. Caley lead the pilgrims in prayer before setting out.
On foot from Dennis the Menace Park, the Rosary begins as the pilgrims walk on through the streets of Monterey and into Carmel.
The pilgrims arrive at Mission San Carlos Borroméo (Carmel Mission) for a final prayer at the tomb of Fr. Serra.
Pizza is provided at the mission to close a day eight miles in the making.
By mile ten my feet had stopped complaining and my heart had started praying properly. That is the whole secret of the thing.— Thomas, pilgrim since 2019
I brought my two boys the year they turned twelve. We still talk about the Mass on the beach more than anything else that year.— A mother from San Jose
You walk alone with your thoughts for a while, then someone starts a decade of the Rosary, and you remember why you came.— Margaret, first-time pilgrim, 2022
A short look at the 2025 pilgrimage
All able pilgrims are welcome. Fr. Asher and Fr. Caley will accompany the pilgrimage throughout.
Registration and headcount are handled through Evite, so we know how much pizza to order.
2026 CARMEL PILGRIMAGE