We encourage you to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. John Neumann and the Church of St. Peter the Apostle to spend some peaceful time in prayer and contemplation and to learn more about St. John Neumann and the Redemptorist charism. To assist you with your decision-making and planning, here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about our pilgrimages. And please download our pilgrimage brochure.
If you’re planning a more extensive retreat, click to learn more about fees for the use of the St. John Neumann Center.
Click to learn more about our retreats for teachers and for religious sisters.
View or download a map of our facilities.
How do I schedule a pilgrimage for my group?
To schedule a pilgrimage for 10 or more people, email us or call us at 215-627-3080, extension 115.
Groups of 10 or fewer may use our “Guide by Cell” feature, which is available for tours of the upper church and the Shrine (lower church) and uses each person’s own mobile phone. Learn more about the “Guide by Cell” tour here.
When can my group come to the Shrine?
Group tours may be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Guided tours are not available on Sundays.
What is available for my group to do while visiting the Shrine?
We work with each pilgrim group to develop a personalized schedule that meets your needs. Depending on how much time you choose to spend at the Shrine, you can partake in all or some of the following: daily Mass with relic veneration and novena, confession, rosary, tours of the upper church and Shrine (lower church), viewing of a 15-minute video re-enacting a local miracle, a museum tour, praying in any part of our shrine, and visiting our gift shop.
How much time does a pilgrimage take?
Length of stay is a personal decision, and movement from one place to another takes more time as a group’s size increases. At most, a longer, slower-paced prayerful retreat experience could last four hours. Engaging in everything we have to offer can be accomplished at a comfortable pace in three hours. Making a pilgrimage in two hours is also possible, and we will help you decide what you can accomplish, given the size of your group. Brief pilgrimage visits lasting an hour usually include only tours of the upper and lower churches.
Can my group eat lunch at the Shrine?
Yes. We offer two locations for lunch. If your group has more than 50 people and you desire to have all eat at the same time, our St. John Neumann Center is available for use, with a stipend.
If your group has fewer than 50 people, you can use our cafe with vending machines–offering hot and cold beverages and sweet and salty snacks–located in the new St. John Neumann Hall near the museum and gift shop.
Groups may bring their own brown-bag lunches or may choose to have lunch catered in the center.
Is there a charge to bring my group to the Shrine?
For groups up to 25 people, including chaperones, we ask for a stipend of $150. For groups of more than 25 we ask $6 per person. We will happily accept any additional donation, as all gifts help us with the daily upkeep of the Shrine. Please make checks out to St. John Neumann Shrine.
Your donation can be given to the priest leading your group at the time of your arrival. If you prefer to mail it in advance, send it to:
Attn. Deborah Binder
St. John Neumann Shrine
1019 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Do you have parking at the Shrine?
Yes. Please click to view or download our parking map for information about all free parking lots owned by the Shrine. We ask all buses to park in the Girard Street lot across from the Shrine.
