The Sword of Saint Michael is a pilgrimage where you travel to seven monasteries
dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The monasteries are located in Ireland, England, France, Italy, Greece, and Israel.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the Sword of Saint Michael.
The Sword of Saint Michael Pilgrimage refers to a journey of visiting the seven monasteries dedicated to the Archangel Michael. These monasteries are stretch from Ireland, England, France, Italy, Greece, and Israel.
Some monasteries may have limited visitor capacity, such as Mount St. Michael in Cornwall, England. Others require you to purchase timed tickets and are only open on certain days. Be sure to check out our St. Michael’s Sword travel guide for planning tips and tricks for your pilgrimage.
We recommend packing only the essentials, such as comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Consider bringing a journal for reflection, such as St. Michael’s Sword Pilgrimage devotional. To learn more about what to pack, visit our What to Pack page.
Visiting all the monasteries in one trip is challenging due to their geographical location. It is more common for pilgrims to divide the pilgrimage into multiple trips, focusing on specific regions or countries at a time.
Planning your pilgrimage requires careful consideration. To help with your research and planning, we have written a travel guide which you can purchase here to assist you with logistics and itinerary planning.
While there is no prescribed order, some pilgrims prefer to complete the sword starting with Skellig Michael in Portmagee, Ireland and work their way down the sword.
The best time to undertake the pilgrimage depends on your personal preferences and the climate of each monastery location. Consider factors such as weather, crowd levels, and any special events or festivals associated with the monasteries. Spring and Fall are generally favorable for moderate temperatures and are less crowded.
