Outreach will lead a group of pilgrims to New York City, September 25-27, 2026, journeying through the LGBTQ Catholic experience in New York City, especially during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, remembering the lives that have been lost, celebrating the progress that has been made in the church and praying for continual renewal. (Information on registration and pricing is at the end of this article).
Led by James Martin, S.J., founder of Outreach, executive director Conor Reidy and assistant director, John Consolie, the “mini-pilgrimage” seeks to bring together LGBTQ Catholics, allies and those who minister to them both in New York City and abroad. By listening to the stories of those who were active in ministering to patients during that time, praying at important LGBTQ sites and continuing to walk with the LGBTQ community, especially those who are living with HIV, this pilgrimage seeks to continue Outreach’s mission of celebrating and elevating the experience of LGBTQ Catholics in the life of the church.
“New York is an historic site for LGBTQ Catholics and LGBTQ people in general and so we’re happy to have our second pilgrimage–following in the footsteps of our pilgrimage to Rome last year–where we will be able to share the historic and spiritual riches of the place Outreach calls home,” said Outreach’s founder, Father James Martin.
On Friday evening, Sept. 25, pilgrims will gather at the America Media offices for Mass and an opening talk by Father James Martin, followed by a welcome dinner and reception at Lillie’s at 49th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Saturday, Sept. 26, will begin with a walk to important LGBTQ sites, including the AIDS Memorial Park and the Stonewall National Monument, followed by a walk to the Church of St. Francis Xavier at 15th Street and Sixth Avenue, where pilgrims will hear the history of this site with the LGBTQ Catholic community. Mass with Michael Zampelli, S.J. (a member of Outreach’s Jesuit Board of Advisors), a talk and a light breakfast will follow. After a community lunch to continue the conversation, the pilgrims will gather at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus to hear from Karen Helfenstein, of the Sisters of Charity of New York, who served as the Vice President for Community Services of St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Catholic hospital at the forefront of the AIDS crisis in New York City, from 1983-2000.
“Sister Karen and Father Michael have been ministering to the LGBTQ community for decades, and have incredible first hand stories of walking alongside our community, especially at the height of the AIDs epidemic.” said Conor Reidy, Outreach’s executive director.
The pilgrimage continues on Saturday evening with a tour of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, the Mother church of the Paulist Fathers, along with an Outreach regional event at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in partnership with the parish’s LGBTQ ministry, “Out at St. Paul.” This two-hour regional event will gather people from across the tri-state area, and beyond, for prayer and fellowship. This is a separate event in partnership with Out at St. Paul. Please click here for more information and for registration for the regional event.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, the pilgrimage concludes gathering for a light breakfast and tour of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola at E 84th Street and Park Avenue. Sunday Mass with Father James Martin at the parish will follow at 11 AM.
The total price for the pilgrimage is $250, per person (this price does not include housing).
For more information and to register, please contact Outreach’s assistant director, John Consolie, at jconsolie@americamedia.org. Space is limited. Registration closes Sept. 7.
