THERE ARE MANY well-known Catholic pilgrimages worldwide, but Orange County’s faithful do not need to travel far to experience their own local pilgrimage.
Within Orange County or a four-hour drive are religious sites that can be visited without a passport or even a large budget. From Orange County’s own Christ Cathedral to the missions in San Diego, San Juan Capistrano and up the Central Coast, locals can visit such spiritual locations or create their own pilgrimages from San Diego up to Santa Barbara within 310 miles.
However, there is a difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage, noted Fr. Christopher Heath, who as director of the diocesan archives and Mission Office has conducted several pilgrimage groups. While non- Catholics do travel to sacred sites, the mindset for those on a pilgrimage is different, he said.
“On a tour, one is more of a consumer looking for something new or exciting, and perhaps trying to get as much experience as possible out of the time spent,” Fr. Christopher said. “A pilgrim is traveling with a spiritual goal in mind, a quest, a prayer intention, perhaps as a penance or to gain some insight or inspiration. We take with us the prayers of others as well as our own intentions, with the idea that the sacrifice of travel is part of a sacred journey.”
Fr. Christopher recently returned from a pilgrimage to Greece where he followed in the footsteps of St. Paul. He said Catholics call themselves a “pilgrim people” because they know that they are on a journey from this world to Heaven.
CHRIST CATHEDRAL IS THE HUB OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE AND HOME TO ITS BISHOP. PHOTO BY THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“A pilgrim is conscious of the passage, not seeing locations as a destination but as a point along the journey where something holy can be encountered,” he added. “We try to remain conscious to the moment of encounter with God — perhaps in a given location we will receive a message, an image, an insight that the Lord has been waiting to share with us!”
STARTING POINT: SOUTH O.C.
For local religious sites, starting in the south, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego was the first California mission founded in 1769 by St. Junípero Serra. In addition to weekday and Sunday Masses, the property features a museum, indigenous plant gardens and the Mission Church, named a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI. The mission is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $3 for children under 12, $5 for seniors and military, and $8 for adults.
SERRA CHAPEL WAS BUILT BY BAPTIZED INDIGENOUS ACJACHEMEN PEOPLE AND ST. SERRA CELEBRATED MASS THERE IN 1783. PHOTO BY PATTY MAHONEY
Right here in Orange County are Mission San Juan Capistrano and Christ Cathedral. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776, just seven years after Mission San Diego de Alcalá and features the oldest building in California still in use: Serra Chapel.
The Serra Chapel was built by baptized Indigenous Acjachemen people and St. Serra celebrated Mass there in 1783. Mission San Juan Capistrano is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free for children under 4, $11 for youths and students, $16 for seniors, and $19 for adults. Christ Cathedral is the home of the bishop of the Diocese of Orange. It began as the Protestant denomination Crystal Cathedral under Dr. Robert Schuller, and while the unique allglass facade remains, the interior was redesigned for Catholic worship after the Diocese of Orange purchased the 34-acre campus. Free tours are offered at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Fridays.
CENTRAL COAST
For those willing to drive a little further, the Central Coast has three missions that come with the added bonus of beautiful scenery and historic towns. At about a three-hour drive are Old Mission Santa Inés and Old Mission Santa Barbara. The former is located in the scenic Danish-inspired village of Solvang, known for its picturesque village and bakeries. Founded in 1804 by the Franciscans, it is the 19th mission to be established. Old Mission Santa Inés’ museum features “The Archangel Raphael,” one of the few Mission-period paintings done on canvas by an indigenous convert. It also has the Juan Baptista Bell from the mission’s founding, “The Good Shepherd” painting on the tabernacle door, and music manuscripts dating back to the mission period. Self-guided tours run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free for children under 5, veterans, and active military; $5 for youth; $7 for seniors; and $8 for adults.
THE SCENIC DANISH-INSPIRED VILLAGE OF SOLVANG, KNOWN FOR ITS DANISH-INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE AND BAKERIES. PHOTO BY PATTY MAHONEY
Old Mission Santa Barbara is considered the “Queen of the Missions.” Founded in 1786 by the Spanish Franciscans, it is the only mission that has been continuously overseen by the Franciscan friars since its founding. The site is still the home of a community of Franciscan friars. Overlooking the ocean, it has twin bell towers, a historic
cemetery and mausoleum, and several gardens. Self-guided tours run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free for children under 4; $15 for active military and seniors; $12 for youths; and $17 for adults.
GOING NORTH
About four hours away is Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, which was founded in 1772 by St. Serra. Driving to the mission along the Highway 101 offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean before arriving in the “lovely little town,” said Maureen O’Hare, the president of the Mission San Luis Obispo docents. The chapel has a unique L-shaped layout — the only mission chapel like it, said O’Hare. Pastor Fr. Martin Cain added that visitors can enjoy the hand-rung bells every morning, noon and evening.
“It’s the warm, welcoming people who make Mission San Luis Obispo a special place of pilgrimage,” Fr. Martin said. Mass is held daily. Fr. Martin recommended the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass to hear the children’s choir. The grounds of the mission are free to enter daily, but the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Interested in more? There is a total of 21 California missions, with the system extending as far north as Sonoma with Mission San Francisco Solano. Also in Northern California is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento.