Lough Derg (St. Patrick’s Purgatory) -- County Donegal, Ireland

Destination: Lent is a perfect time to plan a pilgrimage, to set time apart, physically step away from daily life and struggles, and re-focus on God.  

For over 1,500 years, pilgrims have come to Lough Derg to follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick. His historic 40-day penitential pilgrimage gives this lake island its other name: St. Patrick’s Purgatory.

Photos: Top — The main prayer of the Lough Derg three-day pilgrimage, called a “station,” involves prayers at the penitential “beds” marked with crosses. These are the remains of monks’ cells and are the oldest remaining structure on the island. Then prayers are said in and around the basilica, at the lake edge and at two crosses. This area, with its bell tower, is near St. Patrick’s Cross (Photos/Wikimedia Commons).

Middle — In an 1890 photo from the National Library of Ireland on the Commons, a pilgrim prays at St. Patrick’s Cross. 

Bottom — During the three-day pilgrimage, four stations are made at St. Patrick’s Basilica and confessions are available every morning. 

Why to go: Lough Derg’s traditional three-day pilgrimage is intense. But pilgrims interviewed by Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire team say they have returned for many years. One woman says the feeling of freedom and inner peace she feels upon leaving the retreat is incomparable. 

Once pilgrims arrive, they remove their shoes and socks.   The first day, they fast, eating only dry bread and a hot-water-and-pepper soup. They also fast from sleep that day as they move through prayers and spiritual exercises.  Sleep is allowed on the second day. The third day involves more prayer and ends with Mass. 

The three-day pilgrimage is offered this year from May 31 through Aug. 15. Booking is advised; available at https://friendsofloughderg.my.site.com/pilgrimages/s/flow/Pilgrimage_Reservation_with_Opportunity

A one-day retreat is also offered for adults.  

Admission: Admission is €80, or around $86-90. 

Accessibility: Pilgrims must be physically fit: able to kneel unaided and free from illness aggravated by fasting. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Pilgrims must be at least 15 years old, but children might like the statue of Patrick the Pilgrim.  

Info: Address — Lough Derg, Sanctuary of St. Patrick, Pettigo, County Donegal, F94 PC60
Phone — 00353 (0) 71 9861518
Website — https://www.loughderg.org/

—Destination provided by Josephine Evans, mother of Father John Evans; information from Word on Fire. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org