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

Stations of the Cross at the Cloisters on the Platte -- Gretna, Neb.

Destination: During Lent, the Stations of the Cross guide us through Jesus’ Passion and death. At the Cloisters on the Platte, the Stations come to life in life-sized bronze statues by many artists, placed over a 2,500-foot-long walking path — the same distance as the Jesus traveled from His sentencing to His crucifixion, known as the Via Dolorosa, or the Sorrowful Way.

Grounds hours are Mondays-Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Sundays, 2-5 p.m. 

Photos: Top — Simon of Cyrene is compelled to bear Jesus’ cross as his wife protests in anguish. A virtual tour and reflection on the bronze life-size Stations is available on the Cloisters on the Platte website. (Photos/ The Cloisters on the Platte)

Bottom — Veronica wipes Jesus’ face. 

Why to go: The Cloisters on the Platte includes more than the Stations of the Cross; it’s a quiet retreat center that holds men’s and women’s weekend retreats every few weeks. It was founded by billionaire Joe Ricketts after he attended a silent retreat, where he rediscovered his faith and values in an experience he called life-changing. 

Retreats are free for participants and are in high demand; retreats into early next year are filled. But the Stations are open when retreats are not in session. 

Admission: Visitors are encouraged to make donations of $10 or more; they will receive a complementary audio tour of the Stations. Parking is available in the lot across from the main gate and visitors can use the Cloisters’ shuttle service throughout the day. 

Accessibility: The Stations are wheelchair-accessible, and visitors may use manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters and mobility aids such as crutches. Landscaping stones are placed along the trail for rest spots during the walk. Clearly-marked service animals are allowed, but not pets. There are no outdoor restrooms and no trams or golf carts for tours.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: You may encourage little ones to walk quietly, though the Stations are closed during silent retreats. But they can benefit from the prayerful experience, whether during an in-person tour or online at https://cloistersontheplatte.com/visit-the-stations/virtual-tour/. 

Info: Address — Cloisters on the Platte, 23332 Fishery Rd., Gretna, Neb.  

Phone — 402-509-6250 

Website — https://cloistersontheplatte.com/

—Megan Peterson compiled this story. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org