How to make a pilgrimage of gratitude for Thanksgiving
- Aimee Boudreaux MacIver
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
November is a pretty big month for the word “pilgrim.” Who among us has escaped the American education system without making a handprint turkey or a pilgrim hat from paper plates and construction paper? But I think we can do better than some finger-paint crafts in truly entering into true gratitude at Thanksgiving.
This Thanksgiving, invite your family or friends to become true pilgrims on a pilgrimage of gratitude. While I deeply cherish opportunities to travel to sacred places around the world, at its heart pilgrimage is not about going far, but going differently. You can make a deeply meaningful, fruitful pilgrimage of gratitude wherever you are—“still-grimage,” as we call it (no two-month Mayflower voyage required). Maybe you'll even establish a new and really beautiful family Thanksgiving tradition.
Related: How to gift a sentimental tour
How to Plan Your Thanksgiving Still-Grimage
1. Choose a specific date and time. Set aside a designated day, afternoon, or even just a few hours to make your still-grimage. You need to make this a concrete commitment, or it’s likely to remain a “that would be nice” instead of an actualized benefit for your soul.
2. Identify places that are connected to your blessings. Maybe it’s a house where your grandparents were born, or a cafe where you had your first date with your spouse. Maybe it’s the churches where your family was baptized and received sacraments. Maybe it’s a school or college where you were mentored in faith and self-discovery.
3. Plan a simple itinerary that visits each site. Start by researching confession and Mass times so you can integrate them. It’s still a Jubilee year (until January 6), so the Jubilee plenary indulgence remains available. Making a pilgrimage is one of the requirements for receiving this Jubilee indulgence. Check this official list of 2025 Jubilee pilgrimage sites to see whether one fits into your route. We use this free online search tool to find accurate sacramental schedules around the world.
4. Bring companions. Pilgrimage is community. A pilgrimage of gratitude is especially meaningful to experience as a family. Maybe you will even establish a new annual family tradition! And there’s always, always something you didn’t notice or see or think that’s noticed or seen or thought by someone else.
5. Don’t forget your senses. St John Paul II reminds us: “The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it.” We ought to engage the great gift of our bodily senses for the even greater good of revealing the divine.
Beauty: Pilgrimages are punctuated with beautiful art, architecture, and even landscapes for contemplation. Where in the area can you immerse yourself in beauty? Remember that it need not be an explicitly religious location—the Creator has given us all of creation as a revelation of His love and goodness. Is there a beautiful park, forest, hilltop, or body of water nearby where you can stroll in silent prayer? Is there an art museum you can duck into and let the visual beauty fill your soul?
Food: Don’t forget good food. Look along your route for a restaurant whose dishes will make you praise God all over again. Even better: Find a restaurant that connects to your still-grimage theme. See this pilgrimage itinerary in the footsteps of St Frances Cabrini to see how I chose meaningful food and drink options.
Related: 8 non-church places you can contemplate God, plus what to ask
6. Share stories and prayer. At each site, share your personal stories of why this place sparks gratitude, then offer a prayer of thanksgiving. You can ponder these questions to help you really enter deeply:
Why is this place connected to gratitude for you?
What memories, people, or blessings are connected here?
What story rises up in you here—a moment when grace was clear, mercy was shown, or love was present?
How do you sense God’s presence in this place?
7. Use music to enhance your pilgrimage spirit. Make a special playlist of songs that connect with each site. Singing is “praying twice,” according to the great St Augustine. Don’t limit yourself to spiritual music, but add any music that connects with your sites.
8. Along the way or afterward, contemplate gratitude. If you're on your own, journal. If you're with other adults, chat over drinks. If you're with other families, do a round-robin circle. But promise me you won't be weird about this if you're with your own kids. Deep discussion is a fragile art for parents. Don't look at them directly. Eat something while you talk. Be cool.
Who, what, and where have shaped your life?
What are some difficult things from your past that you’re now thankful for? What does this teach you about trust?
How can you make gratitude a daily spiritual practice (e.g., commit to a daily examen, morning offering, or journaling)?
When is it easiest and hardest to be thankful? What insight does this give you about your own temperament?
How can you cultivate gratitude not just for blessings, but also for challenges?
What small, mundane gifts of God do you tend to overlook?
What graces have you received through this experience?
Would you like help planning a custom still-grimage or pilgrimage?
If you ever want more help planning a still-grimage, pilgrimage, or sanctifying an existing trip, just ask—I would love to help!
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