24 Marian Helper • Summer 2026 • Marian.org Any day is a great day to visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Seven days a week, 365 days a year, pilgrims make the trek up Eden Hill for Confession, Mass, Stations of the Cross, and the Hour of Great Mercy — or simply to walk and be inspired. It is during the summer months, however, that the campus’ beauty is truly elevated. Summer also brings a number of special events to the Shrine! National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Mark your calendars: On Thursday, June 18, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will pass through the Shrine as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States of America. The “St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Route” began on Memorial Day weekend in St. Augustine, Florida, the site where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated. Pilgrims are making their way with the Blessed Sacrament through the original 13 colonies, as far north as Portland, Maine, before heading back south to conclude in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the Fourth of July weekend. The Shrine is the first stop in Massachusetts. The celebration begins at noon with a short Eucharistic Procession, followed by a 1 p.m. Holy Hour with Confessions and the Rosary, and Mass at 2 p.m. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction will be prayed to conclude the visit, and the pilgrimage will depart at 3:30 p.m. for an evening event in Springfield. Visit EucharisticPilgrimage.org to follow the pilgrimage progress. Ethnic Days Each year, the Shrine hosts celebrations for ethnic groups, starting with Filipino Day on June 13, this year the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A tradition for more than two decades, the day attracts hundreds of Filipino pilgrims, characterized by family reunions with loved ones and picnics. Mass is celebrated at the Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. “Filipinos here for this special day come to seek an inner renewal or healing, to express devotion, or to fulfill a vow,” says Theresa Malapit, co-organizer of the day. “The only Catholic nation in Asia, the Philippines has a deep cultural connection between suffering and hope. We Filipinos are strongly influenced by the message of trusting in God’s mercy.” In fact, less than two months ago, Filipinos made history once again by consecrating their country to the Divine Mercy! By far the Shrine’s largest Ethnic celebration, Encuentro Latino will be celebrated on Aug. 1, also a First Saturday. “The population of the Latinos is growing, and more Latinos are coming to the Shrine every year,” says Magaly Lopez, lead organizer. At this family-oriented celebration, children knock down piñatas and color drawings of the Divine Mercy Image, while families are captivated by wonderful music and folk dancing. Father Dante Aguero, MIC, will return as the principal celebrant of the Mass in Spanish, also performing as a singer and guitarist. Polish Day on Sept. 12 closes out the summer with a nod to the deep Polish heritage of the Marian Fathers, from the Marian Founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński, to the Secretary of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina Kowalska. Pilgrims often dress in traditional Polish clothing, typically colored red and white, and Mass is celebrated in Polish. There’s more On June 20 and 21, the Shrine will host the Relic of St. Padre Pio Exhibit in the St. Faustina Center. And the annual celebration of Marian Week, August 15-22, includes a daily Rosary procession. “Come one, come all!” says Amanda Parramore, Shrine visitor guide. “Come asking the Lord to just work in your heart and show you what areas of your heart need the Divine Mercy message the most, and how you can bring that to your family and life outside of the Shrine. I think that if you give your visit over to the Lord, it’ll be very fruitful.” Visit ShrineOfDivineMercy.org for more information and to plan your pilgrimage. Summer at the Shrine! By Julia Rose
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