Bus pilgrimage tickets for papal Mass on sale June 29

By Catholic Review Staff

Tickets for the one-day bus pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Baltimore to the papal Mass in Philadelphia will go on sale online June 29, at 10 a.m.

Pick-up locations for the journey include points around the archdiocese, and, for an additional charge, an option to take an Amtrak train.

The cost of the daylong pilgrimage is $99 for the bus. The train cost is $159 for adults, $154 for seniors (62 and older), and $119 for children (ages 2-12). Anyone under the age of 18, on the bus or train, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

All pilgrims traveling with the archdiocesan group, coordinated by Catholic Review Media, will receive a special rosary created for the event; a commemorative hat, bottled water and other services.

“The organizers of the papal visit are expecting well over a million people at the Mass,” said Christopher Gunty, CEO of Catholic Review Media, which is spearheading the pilgrimage. “We want to provide an opportunity for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to be a part of this celebration of the Eucharist.”

The Mass, which will be held along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia’s Center City, is likely the only event open to the general public during Pope Francis’ six days in the United States, Sept. 22-27. Other Masses and most of the events on the pope’s itinerary will be tightly ticketed or for limited audiences, such as the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.

Due to the size of the crowd, Gunty said, “we cannot guarantee that our pilgrims will see the pope. We will get our pilgrims to the designated drop-off points in Philadelphia, but you might only be in the pope’s general vicinity.”

There is so much interest in the pilgrimage that, even with 39 buses and a whole train car on Amtrak, Gunty expects the pilgrimage tickets will sell out very quickly.

The Baltimore planners have been in touch regarding logistics with organizers of the World Meeting of Families, which culminates with the Sunday Mass. All buses carrying pilgrims into and out of Philadelphia the weekend of Sept. 26-27 will have to register in advance, according to CatholicPhilly.com. On the day of the events, all registered vehicles will be assigned entry and exit times to Philadelphia and assigned parking areas. 

“Our bus operators will be registered,” Gunty said, “but until we get closer to the event, we won’t have a designated entry time, so we won’t know what time the buses will depart from Maryland. Assume it will be very early in the morning.”

The day will include a lot of walking, waiting and standing – and praying.

“The pilgrimage will give Catholics an opportunity to join hundreds of thousands of people with the same focus: on Jesus and his church,” Gunty said.

Bus pick-up spots should have plenty of free parking, but pilgrims are encouraged to arrive by carpool if possible. Pick-up locations (departure times to be determined) will be:

• Calvert Hall College High School, 8102 La Salle Road, Towson;
• Parking lot, 1220 E. Joppa Road, Towson (courtesy Heritage Properties);

• Holy Family Parish, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville;

• FNP parking lot, 351 Ballenger Center Dr., Frederick (courtesy Frederick News Post).

The Amtrak train will depart Baltimore Penn Station, 1500 N. Charles St., Sept. 27, 6:08 a.m. (check in 4:30-5:10 a.m.).

The return trip will leave Philadelphia 30th Street Station at 9:30 p.m., scheduled to arrive in Baltimore at 10:38 p.m. Penn Station has on-site parking for a fee.

Information and a link to the ticketing portal is available by visiting francisinphilly.org. Online ticketing will open Monday, June 29, 10 a.m. EDT.

See also:

Christian hope does not let sting of death poison your life, pope says

All creation sings God’s praise, but people are silencing it, pope says

Pope Francis contemplates Shroud of Turin, calls it ‘icon of love’