Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi was born in 1934, almost 80 years after the first appearance of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, with the decree of Cardinal Vicar Marchetti Selvaggiani. The initial aim was to provide assistance to those planning to undertake a journey to the major Shrines in Italy and abroad. Then, as the Second World War came to an end, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, thanks to a significant organizational and pastoral effort, began to think more about the pilgrimage experience so as to improve its offer. Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi has accompanied thousands of pilgrims to the most significant sites of Christian tradition, offering each individual attentive spiritual assistance.

The mission of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi is to welcome. Everyone is welcome and invited to get involved as we discover together the Essence of Mercy. Through the experience of pilgrimage we have the chance of getting in touch with different people, communities and religions with whom we sometimes share faith and culture, other times simply the same humanity as creatures of God. On a pilgrimage new paths can open allowing us to discover our inner life, prayer, dialogue and brotherliness.