Pilgrimage Assistant Training

Serve the Church. Support the Journey.

Join our immersive Pilgrimage Assistant Training and learn how to support Catholic priests, deacons, and ministry leaders in planning and leading meaningful pilgrimages to the world’s most sacred sites.

Course Schedule & Details

Dates: April 15 to June 3rd, 2026

Course Structure
Each week of the course you will receive one online video to watch one week prior to the ZOOM session. There are 8 videos and ZOOM sessions.

Course Requirements
1. Interview with Iturria Journeys Staff.
2. Received acceptance letter from Iturria Journeys.
3. Ability to assist on at least two pilgrimages per year.
3. Two pilgrimages to plan with at least the first contact made with clergy or ministry leaders who are committed to pilgrimage.

Week 1 - April 15th Foundations
(you will receive the first video session on April 8th)

Why Pilgrimage Matters
Pilgrimage Organization & Flow
Key roles and relationships in pilgrimage planning

Week 2 - April 22nd Building Relationships and Leadership Planning
Week 3 - April 29th Pilgrimage Company Review & Selection, Contracts, and Building Relationships.
Week 4 - May 6th Marketing Your Pilgrimage
Week 5 - May 13th Pilgrim Formation & Preparation
Week 6 - May 20th Pilgrimage Management During the Pilgrimage
Week 7 - May 27th Post Pilgrimage
Week 8 - June 3rd Bringing it all together & Individual Pilgrimage Presentations

Your Investment

Training Investment

$1,500

Your pilgrimage tour company will reimburse $500 at the beginning of your first two pilgrimages.

Mentorship Included

Graduates receive one year of mentorship with an experienced Pilgrimage Assistant, including guidance through your first two pilgrimages.

Am I Called to Be a Pilgrimage Assistant?

This training may be right for you if you:

Feel called to support Catholic priests and deacons in ministry
Have experienced the grace of pilgrimage and want to share it with others
Have a strong faith life and desire continued spiritual growth
Enjoy traveling to holy and sacred places
Are organized, calm under pressure, and able to lead groups
Communicate well and handle challenging situations with confidence
Are interested in supplementing your income or discerning a full-time pilgrimage role

What You’ll Learn

How to assist clergy and ministry leaders from initial planning to post-pilgrimage retreat
The full pilgrimage planning process, roles, and responsibilities
How to work with and evaluate pilgrimage tour companies
Practical skills for supporting pilgrims before, during, and after travel
Best practices for communication, logistics, and group leadership

Holy Sites You'll Be Trained to Serve

Pilgrimages may include destinations such as:
Israel • Italy • France • Spain • Portugal • Medjugorje • Mexico • Poland