A Blessed Journey: Our 3-Day Pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA

Ever wondered what it’s like to join a Divine Mercy pilgrimage? Here’s how 51 Filipino pilgrims journeyed from Toronto to Stockbridge - and came home with full hearts and lasting memories.

Filipino-Canadians on a Divine Mercy pilgrimage


A Spirit-Filled Start: Day 1 – April 26, 2025

Our Divine Mercy pilgrimage began early in the morning, with three scheduled pickup points: 5:00 AM at McDonald’s on Pape & Cosburn, 5:30 AM at No Frills on Bathurst & York Mills, and 6:00 AM at Square One in Mississauga. With 51 enthusiastic pilgrims on board, we were ready to embark on a 3-day, 2-night spiritual journey.

Our border crossing at Queenston-Lewiston was surprisingly smooth - proving wrong the rumors about difficulty crossing into the U.S. for Canadians (this trip's schedule fell during some kind of tensions between Canada and the US due to President Trump's pronouncements). Along the I-90 route, we made two rest stops for washroom breaks and lunch before arriving at the Divine Mercy grounds in Stockbridge, Massachusetts around 2:00 PM.

Though our official bus parking schedule was set for Sunday, we decided to explore the grounds a day early since we arrived ahead of time. What we didn’t know was that this extra day would incur an extra day’s parking fee, but with our group already scattered around the shrine, we accepted it as a learning experience.

The area was already teeming with pilgrims, buses, and cars. When the day was concluded, it took nearly an hour to exit and head to our hotel in Great Barrington - a quiet and charming town just minutes away from the shrine.

Divine Mercy Sunday: Day 2 – April 27, 2025

We rose early, had breakfast at the hotel, and made sure to arrive at the shrine ahead of the crowds. Our effort paid off - we were the first bus to arrive, earning a prime parking spot right at the front, which would prove helpful for a smooth departure later that day.

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday was a powerful and deeply moving experience. Our pilgrims were able to attend all activities - from the Holy Mass and Confession to praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet with thousands of others. The entire church ground buzzed with devotion, unity, and faith. Pilgrims came from many parts of Canada and the United States.

After the event concluded around 5:00 PM, we returned to our hotel to freshen up. That evening, many in our group joined a pre-arranged dinner at a nearby local restaurant. Good food, warm conversations, and a sense of spiritual fulfillment wrapped up our long but beautiful day.

Homebound with Grateful Hearts: Day 3 – April 28, 2025

After breakfast, we gathered outside our hotel for a quick group photo to capture the memory of this blessed trip. We were scheduled to stop by the Lee Premium Outlets for some light shopping, but we didn’t check the opening hours ahead of time and arrived an hour early.

Faced with the unexpected delay, we asked our group for input. They voted almost unanimously to skip the U.S. outlet shopping - considering the following: possible duties at the Canadian border, the long drive ahead, and a desire to support Canadian businesses instead.

So we adjusted course but made a short stop at the Fort Erie Duty Free store for some souvenir chocolate deals. It was a good thing we made a stop at the DFS because, at that time, there were no customers like in the past due to the ongoing tensions.

At the border crossing into Canada, everything went smoothly - no issues at customs, since most didn’t purchase anything major.

For our final stop, we visited the Niagara Outlet Mall, allowing our group time to shop and enjoy a meal before heading home. Then lastly, everyone was dropped off at their original pickup points, marking the end of a smooth, safe, and successful pilgrimage.

Trip Itinerary Snapshot

📅 Day 1 – April 26

Pickup from Toronto → Border Crossing → Arrival at Divine Mercy Shrine → Hotel check-in at Great Barrington

📅 Day 2 – April 27

Full-day Divine Mercy Sunday pilgrimage activities at the shrine → Dinner outing → Hotel overnight

📅 Day 3 – April 28

Hotel breakfast and group photo → Fort Erie Duty Free stop → Niagara Outlet Mall → Return to Toronto

Final Thoughts: More Than a Trip - A Faith-Filled Journey

This Divine Mercy pilgrimage wasn’t just a weekend getaway - it was a spiritual renewal for every heart aboard that bus. With such cooperative and joyful pilgrims, the trip unfolded with grace, learning moments, and lasting friendships.

Whether you’re seeking a stronger faith experience or looking to travel with a spiritually inclined group, this journey proves that meaningful travel is still possible - and incredibly rewarding.

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