While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are 20 popular pilgrimage sites across the United States.
Cave Ave María and San Bernardo Abbey
Cullmann, Alabama
Known around the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature", the Ave Maria Grotto is a four-acre park beautifully landscaped to provide a natural setting for 125 miniature reproductions of some of the world's most famous historic buildings and shrines. The stone and concrete masterpieces are the life's work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk from the Abbey of St. Bernhard.
The Grotto is less than an hour from Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, two hours from Nashville and three from Atlanta. (www.avemariagrotto.com)
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle
San Juan, Texas
The Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle attracts people from all over the world. Attracting over a million visitors each year, it has become one of the most popular attractions in Texas. The shrine is rich in diversity and recognizes and honors all religions, paths and beliefs. Pilgrims, visitors and tourists are welcome to experience a spiritual journey within the basilica grounds, with free tours offered daily. Hotel accommodation with 92 comfortable rooms offers easy access.
(www.olsjbasilica.org)
California Mission Trail
San Diego to Sonoma, California
There are 21 missions represented by the California Historic Mission Trail, which stretches from San Diego to Sonoma. Most are still active Catholic churches and often have gottediens. Missions include St. Diego de Alcala, St. Louis King of France, St. John Capistrano, St. Gabriel Archangel, St. Bonaventure, St. Ferdinand King of Spain, St. Barbara, St. Agnes, La Pura Conception, St. Louis Bishop of Toulouse, St. Michael Archangel, Saint Anthony of Padua, Our Beloved Lady of the Union, Saint Carlos Borromeo del Carmen, Saint John the Baptist, Santa Cruz, Saint Clara de Assisi, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis of Assisi Mission Dores, Saint Raphael Archangel and Saint Francis Solano. (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22722)
Mother Cabrini Sanctuary
golden, rot
Located less than an hour west of Denver, the Madre Cabrini Sanctuary is a shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini. Originally a summer camp for the girls of the Rainha do Céu Orphanage, after the canonization of Saint Cabrini in 1946, the property became a place of prayer, pilgrimage and devotion. The sanctuary offers retreat options for up to 28 people in the stone house. and a private chapel. Mass is offered daily and the facilities are open daily.
(www.mothercabrinishrine.org)
Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Leche
St. Augustine, Florida
In the early 1600s, Spanish settlers from St. Augustine built the first shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. As you walk through the historic mission grounds, you will walk in the footsteps of America's first Founding Fathers more than 400 years ago. The current chapel was rebuilt in 1915 and houses a replica of the original statue of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto - Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Feliz Parto. (www.misionysantuario.org)
Basilica of the National Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception
Washington DC.
Designated a National Shrine of Prayer and Pilgrimage by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the basilica is the most prominent Marian shrine in the country, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and one of the top 10 largest churches in the world. It is considered one of the most important centers of worship and annually receives more than 1 million visitors.
With over 70 chapels and oratories associated with Our Lady and people from around the world, visitors can take a virtual pilgrimage to many of the world's great Marian shrines. (www.nationalheiligtum.com)
National Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snows
Belleville, Illinois
One of the most popular shrines in North America, with over a million visitors a year, the shrine is managed by the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. With over 200 hectares of land, it is also one of the largest. Completed in 1990, the church features the Icon of Mary, the Living Waters Fountain and a shimmering altar with a 15ft x 20ft Aurora Borealis window as a backdrop. On-site hotel accommodations immerse groups in the experience. (www.nieves.org)
Our Lady of the Mountains
Hereford, Arizona
Located near the Mexican border, about an hour's drive south of Tucson, the shrine features a 75-foot cross, a statue representing Our Lady, a chapel, Stations of the Cross and Mary's Knoll across the street, at the bottom of the hill. of you Believe this is a quiet place to reflect, gain perspective and take in the breathtaking views of the Huachuca Valley and Mexico. (www.ourladyofthesierras.org)
Sanctuary of the Passion of Christ
Saint John, Indiana
The Shrine of the Passion of the Christ is an interactive, multimedia religious attraction in Northwest Indiana, just outside Chicago. The main attraction is an 800m winding prayer path that depicts the last days of the life of Jesus Christ. Forty life-size bronze sculptures in a tranquil setting with beautiful music and sculpted gardens allow visitors to experience history.
of crucifixion and resurrection like never before.
The newly opened Moses on Mount Sinai puts you in a scene with Moses himself. The path takes you on a journey through his 10 commandments and has music, narration, lighting and sound effects.
An impressive gift shop offers hundreds of faith-inspired items perfect for souvenirs or gifts. (www.shrineofchristspassion.org)
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Baltimore, Maryland
America's first cathedral, the church is a National Shrine, a Marian Shrine and a National Historic Landmark. More than 100,000 people visit the basilica each year, making it one of Baltimore's most popular tourist attractions.
Guided tours are offered from Monday to Saturday. The one-hour tour takes in all areas of the church, including the Chapel of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, the Crypt, the Museum and the Prayer Garden of Pope John Paul II (www.americasfirstcathedral.org)
Dombasilika von St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
The basilica cathedral is known for the largest collection of mosaics in the Western Hemisphere, which took nearly 80 years to complete. The mosaics cover 83,000 square feet and are made from 41 million pieces of glass and over 7,000 colors. They depict various scenes and passages from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, events in the Archdiocese and, in the narthex, the life of King Louis IX. from France. There is a chapel dedicated to the souls of former leaders of the archdiocese and several cardinals are buried in the cathedral's crypt. Guided tours are possible from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. from 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (www.catedralstl.org)
Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Island
Long Island, Nova York
The shrine spans 70 hectares and is designed to provide pilgrims with ample opportunity for reflection and prayer. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of
The island was founded by missionaries of the Company of Mary to be a center of authentic Marian spirituality and devotion, renewing Catholic life through liturgy, preaching and pilgrimages.
Within the extensive grounds, you will find an 18-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, an outdoor Station of the Cross, a Way of the Rosary, a memorial to Pope John Paul II, a Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament dedicated to Our Lady of the Island and numerous statues and prayer areas. (www.nuestraladyoftheisland.com)
The Sanctuary of the Sorrowful Mother
Bellevue, Ohio
Established in 1850, it is the oldest Marian sanctuary in the Midwest and east of the Mississippi River. Father Francisco de Sales Brunner, missionary priest of the Most Precious Blood, built a small red brick chapel for the Sorrowful Mother because of his great devotion to Mary.
There are more than 30 caves in the 120 hectares open to visitors. Cobbled walkways winding between tall trees leading to the Stations of the Cross and replicas of Lourdes and the Gruta do Enterro are popular places for prayer and meditation. (www.sorrowfulmothershrine.org)
House of the Marian Sanctuary
Yankton, Dakota
Located on the scenic shores of Lewis & Clark Lake, six miles west of Yankton, South Dakota, the hotel offers spectacular views of the region's wildlife. You can take the Via Sacra, which winds its way up Mount Calvary, which has three 50-foot wooden crosses at Station 13. Other quiet places for prayer and reflection include a beautiful rosary pond, a rosary path, the Entrance of María and Casita de María and a meditation area. (www.lacasademaryshrine.org)
True Cross Sanctuary
Dickinson, Texas
Located between Houston and Galveston, Texas in 1936, this True Cross relic was acquired for the shrine of the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) in Rome, where a large piece of the Holy Cross is preserved. The relic of the Holy Cross is available for veneration in the church all year round with daily mass. (www.truecrosschurch.org)
National Sanctuary of Santa Odília
Onâmia, Minnesota
In 1952, an important relic of Saint Odilia was brought to the Crosier community of Onamia, 90 miles north of the Twin Cities. A shrine was erected in her honor in the priory chapel, where the reliquary now stands. Santa Odília pledged to intercede on behalf of the employees and all those who ask for help. For centuries, it was the practice of the Paus to bless the waters in honor of Saint Odília, to dip her relic in them and ask God to give her "strength against all diseases and physical infirmities".
There are three "stations" in the national shrine. The religious icon of Santa Odília and two of her relics help pilgrims to “look” through the icon, conceived as a window to heaven, and to pray in the presence of the relics. (www.crosier.org)
National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
An hour from Philadelphia, the Shrine sits on 170 acres on Beacon Hill overlooking Peace Valley in Doylestown. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa welcomes pilgrims of all nationalities and religions to visit and participate in the religious and cultural activities that take place at the Shrine throughout the year.
In the lower church below the main church is a replica of the Chapel of Our Lady in Jana Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, where the original icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is located. There are four side chapels dedicated to St. Paul the First Eremita, Our Lady of Nazareth, Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Retreats are offered year-round at Ave Maria Retreat House.(www.czestochowa.us)
National Shrine of the Cross in the Forest
Indian River, Michigan
This northern Michigan facility is a sprawling, tree-lined complex that is home to six shrines and monuments, including San Francisco Sanctuary, Our Lady of Highways Sanctuary, the 28 Sacred Stairs, and the Man on the Cross. The shrine is home to the largest collection of dolls dressed in the traditional customs of the United States' male and female religious communities.www.crossinthewoods.com)
Holy Spirit Monastery
Conyer, Georgia
The Monastery of Espírito Santo is a community of more than 40 monks from different generations who live, work and pray together. The monastery has facilities for all groups' needs. Classrooms for a conference, meeting rooms for a business meeting or rooms for an overnight stay are available and can be used individually or in combination as required. Monks are available to chat with your group.
The expansive Visitor Center features interactive exhibits, including videos on monastic tradition, while the new 17,000-square-foot Heritage Center includes new and renovated historic monastery structures and integrates learning elements and hands-on activities. (www.trapense.net)
Sanctuary of the Virgin Queen of the Universe
Boston, Massachusetts
Overlooking Boston Logan Airport is a 32-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Located in the National Headquarters of the Order of Don Orione, it is a replica of the Don Orione Center in Rome. (www.catholicshrines.net/states/ma3.htm)
