catholic places to visit near me

These +100 Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in the U.S. are Completely Out of this World

They’re open year round, and there’s probably one very close to you. Make plans for a pilgrimage today.

Ave Maria Grotto and St. Bernard Abbey

In the South Eastern United States you will find one of the country’s most magnificent works. Often called “Jerusalem in Miniature” this 4-acre park is designed to provide a beautiful and peaceful setting for 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous shrines and holy sites throughout the world.

Also:  EWTN Studios and Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Juneau:  Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux

Located in what can only be described as a magnificent setting, this shrine dedicated to Saint Therese of Lisieux offers retreat opportunities for individuals, families and large groups. There are several types of cabins for rent for those wishing to make a retreat.

Hereford: Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras  (above)

Mesa:  Saint Peregrine Cancer Shrine

Scottsdale: Franciscan Renewal Center “Casa de Paz y Bien”

Sedona: Chapel of the Holy Cross

Tucson: Mission San Xavier del Bac

San Diego:   Basilica Mission San Diego de Alcala  (above)

The Basilica Mission San Diego de Alcala is the first of the Spanish missions to be built in California.  The mission was established in July 1769 by Father Juniper Serra. In 1775 attacked and burned to the ground by Indians who also killed Father Jayme, a resident of the mission, making him the first Christian martyr of California.

San Francisco:  National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi

Santa Clara:   Shrine of Our Lady of Peace

Santa Cruz:   Shrine of Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer

Golden:  Mother Cabrini Shrine  (above)

In 1909 -1910, Mother Cabrini negotiated the purchase of some land in Golden to be used as a summer camp for her charges at the Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver, Colorado. A farming operation, with poultry, other livestock and dairy cows, was established and maintained by three of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart who set up living quarters in the loft of the larger barn.

Connecticut

New Haven:   The Knights of Columbus Museum  (above)

In Hartford, Connecticut you have the opportunity to view some of the historical achievements of this group of Catholic laymen since their founding in 1881 by Father Michael McGivney here in Hartford and through to the present day.

Litchfield:   “The Lourdes in Litchfield”

New Haven:   Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague

Waterbury:   Shrine of Saint Anne for Mothers

District of Columbia

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception  (above)

Here in the capital of the U.S. you will find the largest Catholic church in the United States, and one of the 10 largest Catholic Churches in the world. Close to one million pilgrims from around the country and the world visit the Basilica each year.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family

Saint Augustine:   Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche  (above)

On the grounds of the Mission of Nombre de Dios is the first shrine in the United States dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. Devotion to Our Lady of La Leche (Our Lady of the Milk) goes back to a 4th Century Grotto in Jerusalem.

BONUS:  Key West:  Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea

Miami:  Stella Maris Catholic Center at the Port of Miami

Orlando  Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

Monastery of the Holy Spirit  (above)

One of the country’s most beautiful monasteries, and the only one in the state of Georgia, is located on the outskirts of Atlanta. Run by the Trappist Monks of the Cistercian Order who live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Atlanta:  Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Saint Damien of Molokai

West Bend:  The Grotto of the Redemption  (above)

Belleville (near St. Louis, Mo.)  National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows  (above)

Chicago:   National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows

National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

National Shrine of Saint Jude

Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

Darien:  National Shrine of Saint Therese

Des Plaines (Chicago area)  Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Marytown:  National Shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe

Saint John:  The Shrine of Christ’s Passion  (above, LOOKS AMAZING!)

Mound City:  Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne  (above)

New Orleans:   Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (above)

Grand Coteau:  Shrine of Saint John Berchmans

Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Kennebunkport:  Saint Anthony Franciscan Monastery  (above)

Baltimore:   Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception  (above)

Emmitsburg:  National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Massachusetts

Madonna, Queen of the Universe National Shrine  (above)

Attleboro:   National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

Boston:     Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine

Easton:    Father Peyton Memorial Center

Stockbridge:  National Shrine of Divine Mercy

Indian River:   The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

Shrine of Venerable Solanus Casey at St. Bonaventure Monastery

L’Anse: Shrine of (Venerable) Bishop Baraga (“the snowshoe Priest”)

Royal Oak:  National Shrine of the Little Flower

Cold Spring: Assumption Chapel  (above)

Eureka:  The Black Madonna Shrine  (above)

Branson:  Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church

Saint Charles:  Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne

Saint Louis:  Shrine of St. Joseph (site of two miracles)

Butte:  Our Lady of the Rockies  (above)

Omaha:  Cathedral of Saint Cecilia

Las Vegas: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer  (above)

Reno:  Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral

New Hampshire

Colebrook:  National Shrine of Our Lady of Grace  (above)

Washington:  Blue Army National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima  (above)

Newark:  National Shrine of Saint Gerard

Abiquiu:  Monastery of Christ in the Desert  (above)

Albuquerque: Shrine of Saint Bernadette

Chimayo:   El Santuario de Chimayo & Shrine of Santo Nino de Achoa

Santa Fe:   Loretto Chapel  & Cathedral of St. Francis

New York State

New York City:  Catholic Memorial at Ground Zero (above)

Auriesville:  Shrine of the North American Martyrs

Buffalo (Lackawana):   National Shrine & Basilca of Our Lady of Victory

Fonda:   National Kateri Tekawitha Shrine

Lewiston (near Buffalo):   Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

Saint Malachy’s “The Actor’s Chapel”;  Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Stony Point:   Salesian National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians

Syracuse:   Shrine of Blessed Marianne Cope 

Carey: Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation  (above)

Bloomingdale:   Catholic Family Land

Cincinnati (Mt. Airy):  Saint Anthony Shrine & Friary

Maria Stein:  Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics & Spiritual Center of Maria Stein

Massillon:   National Shrine of Saint Dymphna

North Jackson:   National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon

Prague:  National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague  (above)

Portland:   National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother  (above)

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia:   Miraculous Medal Shrine  (above)

Doylestown (near Philadelphia):    National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

National Shrine of Saint John Neumann

Saint Katharine Drexel Mission and Shrine

Pittsburg:   Saint Anthony’s Chapel

Uniontown:   Mount Saint Macrina

Warminster:   Shrine of Saint Gianna

Rhode Island

Nasonville:   First Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux  (above)

South Carolina

Charleston Church of St. Mary of the Annunciation  (above)

South Dakota

Sioux Falls:  Saint Joseph’s Cathedral  (above)

New Hope:  Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor

San Juan: Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine

Central Texas & the Hill Country (the painted churches of Texas)

Dallas:  Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe   

Panna Maria:  First Polish Catholic Church in the U.S.

San Antonio:  Spanish Missions (including the Alamo)Oblate Grotto; 

Basilica of the Little Flower; San Fernando Cathedral

Jamaica:   Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer

Washington State

Olympia:  Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Hubertus:  Basilica Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill

La Crosse:   Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine

Champion (Green Bay Area):    Newly approved apparition of “Our Lady of Good Help”.

Puerto Rico

San Juan:  Churches near the cruise port

epicPew would like to thank Catholic Travel Guide for letting us use their abundance of resources to make this post.

About The Author

Shaun McAfee

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Sites of Catholic Heritage in the U.S.A.

Traditional pilgrimage places in the united states .

These shrines, basilicas, chapels, and other religious sites are affiliated with patron saints of World Youth Day and World Youth Day USA such as Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint James the Apostle,  Saint Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Mary the Immaculate Conception, as well as the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and many more. Sites connected to Latin American heritage and Latin American saints in the United States are also listed, as an opportunity to learn about the connection to Panama en route to WYD in 2019.

Cities and Itineraries of Pope Saint John Paul II's Visits to the United States

Though these parks, stadiums, airports, and "common spaces" are not typically thought of as pilgrimage destinations, papal speeches and masses have made them holy. Saint Pope John Paul II made a point to reach out to these places and meet the people of God where they were. In pilgrimage, we can do the same.

I remember the Pope [St. John Paul II] saying that he was old and the crowd shouting back repeatedly:  The Pope is Young!  He said “ Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young. ”  He told the youth gathered: “ You are our hope, the young are our hope .”              -- Bishop Robert Brennan

These schools are named after Pope Saint John Paul II. Consider praying for the students and alumni of these schools, that they may live up to their namesakes.

Traveling soon? Get to the airport early or plan a layover to visit airports that have been graced by Pope Saint John Paul II, the most traveled pope in Christian history. Some of these locations include a chapel or church within them (or nearby). Consider visiting them and praying there, in gratitude for the ministry of Saint John Paul II and for the safety of all travelers and pilgrims who pass through those places.

Download a comprehensive list of all of these sites .

The United States hosts a wealth of pilgrimage opportunities from coast to coast. If you know of a site that is not listed here, please email [email protected] with your suggestion.

10 Catholic pilgrimages that don’t require a passport

1. marvel at the majesty of god’s creation in the grand canyon.

2. Contemplate Kentucky with Thomas Merton

3. Experience the mysteries of our faith in Santa Fe, New Mexico

4. Celebrate individuality and diversity in New York City

5. encounter god’s wonder through silence in the seclusion of big sur, california.

6. Begin a path to racial reconciliation in New Orleans

7. explore the linville gorge for a physical and prayerful adventure, 8. find faith and fun as a family on a rocky mountain road trip.

9. See God at work in the universe during the Perseid meteor shower

10. experience the healing power of the beach (and some history) in st. augustine, florida.

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The ultimate list of the catholic shrines in the usa.

• Living the Faith , Prayer , Saints , Spiritual Development

What is a shrine?  A shrine is a church or other sacred place which has the approval of the local bishop and which is visited by the faithful as pilgrims (Canon 1230).  While sometimes it can be a burial place of a saint or Marian apparition, more commonly it is erected as a center for specific devotion. "What Catholic Shrines are near me?" You can find a full listing of all shrines within the United States here , but we've selected the most prominent shrines in each state for you here. For most, we have provided just the name, location, and focus of spiritual devotion. However, a slightly longer description provided for a few of sites to give the reader a sense of the historical importance and the interesting stories that are typical of the Catholic Shrines. Are these Awesome Catholic Shrines on Your List?

1. Hanceville, Alabama: The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament

In 1995, Mother Angelica (Founder of EWTN) heard the words giving her a new mission to build a shrine honoring the True Presence of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  After returning to Alabama, she shared the story with her community and 5 generous donors offered to completely fund this project.   The Shrine is modeled on the great Italian churches of the 13th century.

2. Juneau, Alaska: Shrine of Saint Therese

The Shrine of St. Therese began  as the dream of Fr. William G. LeVasseur, S.J. (Society of Jesus).  St. Therese of Lisieux is the patron saint of Alaska, missionaries, and the Diocese of Juneau.  In 1932, 5 acres of forest reserve land was secured from the federal government and a lodge was built to house the workers. The shrine is 22 miles north of downtown Juneau.  

3. Tucson, Arizona: Mission San Xavier del Bac

In 1783, Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain began construction on the present church using money borrowed from a rancher. The church’s purpose was to provide a place of refuge for the natives who had converted to Christianity as well as for the priests and settlers in the area.

In 1821, San Xavier became part of Mexico. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, the Mission joined the United States. In 1872, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened a school at the Mission. The Mission is still the parish church for area Native Americans today.    

4. Carmel, California: San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission Basilica and Museum San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Mission Basilica and Museum was founded in 1771 by Fr. Serra.  It was the first of the California missions.  The first Church and dwellings were made of wood and mud. From Carmel, Fr. Serra oversaw the building of seven other Missions in California. After California became the thirty-first state of the Union, the United States government returned the Mission to the Catholic Church in 1859.  It was in ruins.

Restoration of the Mission began in 1884 and continues to this day. In 1933 the greatest period of restoration began. Work was started on the padres’ quarters which today houses artifacts of the early mission days. 

5. Golden, Colorado: Mother Cabrini Shrine

In 1909 -1910, Mother Cabrini purchased land in Golden to be used as a summer camp for her charges at the Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver, Colorado. All of the water needed for both drinking and cooking had to be brought up from the stream at the bottom of the canyon. In September 1912, the sisters complained to Mother Cabrini. She answered, “Lift that rock over there and start to dig. You will find water fresh enough to drink and clean enough to wash.” The spring, which is housed in an 8,000-gallon tank, has never stopped running.   It also houses a Stairway of Prayer, a grotto, and a convent . 

6. Saint Augustine, Florida: Our Lady of La Leche Shrine and Mission of Nombre de Dios

Mission Nombre de Dios traces its origins to the founding of the City of St. Augustine, America’s oldest city, in 1565. On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. It was at this sacred spot that the Spanish settlers would begin the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche that continues into the present.  They built the first shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the early 1600s.  It was later destroyed by hurricanes and attacks, and the present structure was built in 1915.

7. Atlanta, Georgia: Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This first church in Atlanta was originally built in 1848. Fr. Thomas O’Reilly, the pastor of the Church and its missions, gave aid both in the field and in makeshift hospitals to soldiers on both sides of the conflict.  After hearing of an order to destroy and burn the city of Atlanta in 1864, Fr. O’Reilly warned General Slocum if they continued to attempt to burn down the Catholic Church, Sherman would face massive desertions of the Catholics in the Federal ranks. During Sherman’s burning of Atlanta, some of these Federal soldiers did help to protect the church by preventing the setting of fires too near the church building. 

8. Molokai, Hawaii: Shrine of St. Damien of Molokai

In 1873, Fr. Damien arrived to care for leprosy patients secluded to the Hawaiian island.  He did everything possible to doctor them and advocate to the United States government for their care.  Instead of staying for only three months, he volunteered to stay indefinitely.

9. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho: Cataldo Mission State Park

This Nineteenth-century Franciscan mission was built at the request of the Native Americans. The mission was built without the use of nails yet still remains today despite years of neglect.  

10. Belleville, Illinois: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Located just outside Saint Louis, this outdoor shrine is visited by over 1 million people each year. This shrine celebrates a devotion which arose in Rome in the 300’s. 

11. West Bend, Iowa: The Grotto of the Redemption

The grotto is the artistic work of Father Paul Matthias Dobberstein, a German immigrant and priest. The Grotto fulfills the promise Father Dobberstein to build a shrine to Our Lady in response to her intercession during a bout with pneumonia. The Grotto is carved and constructed from natural stones which took over a decade to gather. 

12. New Orleans, Louisiana: The Basilica of the Cathedral of St. Louis

The Cathedral of St. Louis overlooks the city square of New Orleans. The original church was one of the first buildings in the city. However, it was destroyed in a tragic fire. The second Cathedral was completed in 1794. In this, “Year of Mercy” proclaimed by Pope Francis one may receive a plenary indulgence for passing through the designated “Holy Doors” at the Cathedral. 

13. Kennebunkport, Maine: Saint Anthony Franciscan Monastery

Built in 1952, the shrine honors St. Anthony. The shrine provides a beautiful setting for visitors to come to pray and relax.   

14. Emmittsburg, Maryland: National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

This shrine pays homage to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born canonized saint . Mother Seton, was the foundress of Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph’s. Her remains are entombed in the Alter of Relics. 

15. Boston, Massachusetts: Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine 

The Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine is a house of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration located in the Back Bay area of Boston. The shrine hosts round the clock adoration 7 days/week with exception of a 2-hour break (from 8am-10am) Saturday mornings in which it is closed for cleaning. 

16. St. Louis, Missouri: The Shrine of Saint Joseph

The shrine of Saint Joseph is the site of two miracles. The first miracle involved Mr. Ignastious Strecker. Mr. Strecker was injured in a work accident which led to a mysterious and incurable illness. In time, Mr. Stecker was pronounced to have 2 weeks to live. It was at this time that a Jesuit missionary priest came to preach a mission at St. Joseph’s. He brought with him a relic of St. Peter Claver. Upon hearing the story of St. Peter Claver’s powerful intercession, she encouraged her husband to implore St. Peter Claver for a miracle. The next day, Mr. Strecker managed to make his way to St. Joseph’s where he received a blessing with the relic of St. Peter Claver. The miracle was formally declared authentic by the Catholic Church in 1887. In regard to the second miracle, you will just have to visit the shrine to find out what it is. 

17. Las Vegas, Nevada: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer

Appropriately situated in “Sin City” the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer celebrates the saving power of Jesus who delivers us from our sins. 

18. Colebrook, New Hampshire: National Shrine of Our Lady of Grace

Built in 1948 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, this shrine was built in thanksgiving for numerous blessings. 

19. Newark, New Jersey: The National Shrine of Saint Gerard

Housed in St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, the Shrine celebrates the life of St. Gerard. Although not an official title granted by the church, St. Gerard is known popularly as the patron saint of mothers. 

20. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Loretto Chapel

It is an architectural wonder. The Loretto Chapel houses a staircase of mysterious origin. In 1878, the sisters were left without access to the choir loft 22 feet above the main chapel. After hiring carpenters, they were told that it would be impossible to construct a staircase in the small space. After praying for the intercession of Saint Joseph a mysterious carpenter entered the town. He proceeded to build the beautiful spiral staircase (without nails) and then left town without accepting payment. 

21. New York, New York: The Basilica of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The original Cathedral of the Archdiocese of New York, St. Patrick’s is situated in the heart of New York City. The Cathedral is over 200 years old. 

22. Bloomington, Ohio: Catholic Family Land

Operated by the Apostolate for Family Consecration, Catholic Family Land hosts “Holy Family Fests” which are designed to provide faith enriching family vacations.

23. Portland, Oregon: National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

This shrine provides a sanctuary of prayer within the busy city. It consists of a grotto and botanical gardens. 

24. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: National Shrine of Saint John Neumann

Make a pilgrimage to the tomb of deceased Bishop of Philadelphia and now saint, St. John Neumann.

25. Nasonville, Rhode Island: Shrine of St. Therese of Lisieux

The first shrine dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux in the world. It was founded just 4 months after St Therese was canonized. 

26. Charleston, South Carolina: St. Mary of the Annunciation

One of the oldest churches in the South, it was the mother church for the Carolina’s and Georgia. The parish was founded in 1788 and the church was built over the next several years. The church was destroyed by fire in 1838 and the rebuilt church has also survived several other natural disasters. 

27. Yankton, South Dakota: The House of Mary

It was founded in 1971 by a young couple, Ed and Jane English, who were inspired by the advice of a priest to “save a portion for God.” The shrine features three crosses overlook Lewis and Clark Lake. 

28. Panna Maria, Texas: Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception

Texas is not known for its Polish heritage, but it is home of Panna Maria (the first Polish settlement in the U.S) and the Church of the Immaculate Conception , the oldest Polish Catholic Church in America. Founded in 1855, the original church was destroyed in a fire. The current church was built in 1877. The term Panna Maria means Virgin Mary.  

29. Ilse de la Motte, Vermont: Shrine of Saint Anne

Dedicated to St. Anne , who has long been looked upon as the patroness of Vermont.

30. Olympia, Washington: Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Shrine in honor of one of the oldest images of Our Lady, the icon Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

31. Nearby Green Bay, Wisconsin: Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

The site of the only formally approved Marian apparition in the U.S. (Formally approved in 2010). The shrine is located at the site of Mary’s appearance to Adele Brise in 1859. Mary appeared to young Adele and instructed her to “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”  

32. Washington D.C.: National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The largest church in North America, the National Shrine is dedicated to being the National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother and features numerous beautiful mosaics. It is truly a site to be seen.

33. Orlando, Florida: Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe 

This shrine  may be a bit more worth your time than Disneyworld. If you ever visit Orlando swing by to view its beautiful outdoor chapel, Rosary garden, and various lovely architectural embellishments.

34. Stockbridge, Massachusetts: Divine Mercy Shrine

This shrine is in honor of the devotion to Divine Mercy, revealed to St. Faustina, a Polish nun and mystic.

35. Uniontown, Pennsylvania: Mount St. Macrina

The Sisters of St. Basil founded this shrine in honor of St. Macrina--the sister of St. Basil. 

36. Royal Oak, Michigan: Shrine of the Little Flower

Built in the 1930's this shrine has a distinctive and beautiful Art Deco style. 

37. Carey, Ohio: Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation

This beautiful shrine holds a statue of Our Lady of Consolation that is an exact replica of statue standing in Luxembourg--where devotion to Our Lady under this title spread in the mid-1600s. 

38. Hubertus, Wisconsin: Shrine of Mary Help of Christians

Located at the peak of the beautiful landscapes of "Holy Hill," this shrine is truly a sight to behold from near and far. 

39. San Juan, Texas: Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine

This shrine hosts over one million visitors per year. You should be one of them. 

40. Auriesville, New York: National Shrine of North American Martyrs

This shrine commemorates the early missionaries in North American that were martyred during their work ministering to the native tribes of the New World. 

What U.S. Shrines are on your must-see list?

About the author.

• Posts by Sara and Justin Kraft

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The top 10 catholic cities to visit in america.

America’s got faith! You’ll find it in every state — in grand cathedrals and teeny chapels, in underwater statues and holy dirt. We’re even blessed with “Top 10 Cities of Faith.” Travel within a 150-mile radius of these 10 cities and you’ll discover oodles of unique and fascinating holy sites — some sprinkled with good humor and fun trivia!

The “Top 10 Cities” — as compiled from the brand-new book “Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles: A Traveler’s Guide to Catholic America” (OSV, $27.95) — are ranked by their respective number of holy sites and highlight several attractions in and around each city. “Seeing is believing,” the saying goes, but “faith-seeing” is even better!

Summer is here, and it’s time to travel Catholic America. Put the car in drive, and let’s go!

It’s a Rocky Mountain (spiritual) high at Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Buffalo Bill prayed there, and Servant of God Julia Greeley, a freed slave and Denver’s “Angel of Charity,” was the first person entombed at the cathedral. The Mother Cabrini Shrine near Golden, Colorado, holds a miraculous spring, while the soaring steeple of Leadville’s Annunciation Catholic Church — the country’s highest steeple at 11,000 feet — could be a landing strip for angels. Next door in Wyoming, Cheyenne’s Cathedral of St. Mary is lauded for its stained-glass Sistine Madonna.

During the Civil War, Father Thomas O’Reilly warned General William T. Sherman, “Burn the Catholic church in Atlanta and every Catholic soldier in the Union army will mutiny!” His feisty legacy lives at Atlanta’s Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bask in otherworldly light at Abbey Church of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit near Conyers; two tiers of stained-glass windows cast a blue aura over the nave, and a halo of golden light surrounds the sanctuary. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul hails a John 15:13 hero: Servant of God Patrick Ryan, who died tending to yellow fever victims so they might live.

8. Portland, Oregon

Begin your journey at The Grotto in Portland, famous for its five-story-tall grotto of Our Lady, hewn out of a rocky cliff. Take your angel for a stroll at Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict, or admire a choir of stained-glass angels at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel. Just steps from the Pacific Ocean at Rockaway Beach, St. Mary by the Sea Catholic Church simulates a ship inside. More attractions beckon in southern Washington, including a Catholic Ladder — a totem pole-like teaching device — outside St. Francis Xavier Mission in Toledo.

7. Sacramento, California

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento began with a legend: Its builder, Bishop Patrick Manogue, settled more than one brawl with a pious punch! America’s most Irish church? St. Patrick Church in San Francisco. Dubbed the “Awesome Madonna,” the 32-foot stainless steel statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary stops traffic at Santa Clara’s Our Lady of Peace Church. Across the state line in Virginia City, Nevada, Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church survived wind, fire and the “Mad Monks” who claimed the dazzling Gothic wooden interior was a distraction to prayer and tried to tone it down.

6. New Orleans

The New Orleans region is steeped in miracles — two wrought by Our Lady of Prompt Succor. She saved the Old Ursuline Convent Museum from the Great New Orleans Fire in 1788, when the inferno suddenly burned itself out. The National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor also celebrates her intercessory victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans of 1815. For expedited answers to prayer, visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and International Shrine of St. Jude. St. Expedite will expedite your request, and St. Jude will do the impossible!

The mother church of the Acadians, Saint Martin de Tours in nearby St. Martinville is so French it has an indoor Lourdes grotto — constructed by freed slave Pierre Martinet of bousillage and plaster. Just down the road in Biloxi, Mississippi, you’ll “net” a beautiful visit to the maritime, clam-shaped St. Michael Catholic Church, with elongated stained-glass windows of the apostles gathering in their catch.

5. St. Louis

Need a miracle? Go to the Shrine of St. Joseph in St. Louis, where Ignatius Strecker’s miraculous healing in 1864 propelled Blessed Peter Claver to sainthood. If you love art, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis touts one of the world’s largest collections of mosaics: 83,000 square feet! The Abbey Church of Saint Louis Abbey in Creve Coeur is fit for a king: it’s shaped like a crown.

Hear stories of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant, where she slept in a closet under the convent stairs to be closer to the chapel. America’s “medieval” church, Old St. Vincent Church in Cape Girardeau, features over 130 plaster faces (inside and out) inspired by medieval mystery and morality plays. The summer heat getting to you? Take a drive to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in nearby Belleville, Illinois.

4. San Antonio / Santa Fe, New Mexico (tie)

Remember the Alamo in San Antonio, but don’t forget that it began as a Spanish Franciscan mission — one of five Spanish colonial missions and a UNESCO World Heritage site gracing the Riverwalk City. Our Lady appears not once but twice at Lourdes Grotto and Tepeyac de San Antonio at Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate, while St. Thérèse of Lisieux lives in stained glass (even sneaking into the Roman Colosseum with Céline) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.

Near the Gulf Coast, Goliad is a “twist of faith”: The State of Texas owns Mission Espíritu Santo and the Catholic Church (the Diocese of Victoria) a presidio. But Presidio La Bahía isn’t any old fort; this is where the Texas Revolution began. In central Texas, join the steeplechase to the Painted Churches of Schulenburg — four churches decked to the rafters in German-Czech folk art and ethnic lore.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the country’s oldest Marian statue, La Conquistadora (also called Our Lady of Peace), reigns from a 1714 adobe side chapel in the “Wild West” Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Who built Santa Fe’s miraculous staircase — a “floating” wooden spiral staircase — in the Loretto Chapel? Many believe it was St. Joseph the carpenter himself! At nearby Chimayo, pilgrims leave tiny shoes in a side room at Santo Niño de Atocha Chapel for the Christ Child to wear as he wanders the countryside healing the sick. A few paces away, El Santuario de Chimayo, erected of adobe around 1816, is known for its holy dirt and a miraculous crucifix unearthed on Good Friday in 1810.

Tales of the “Fastest Nun in the West” fly at Sister Blandina Convent in Albuquerque, while Mountainair’s Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is home to another flying legend. In the early 1600s, Venerable María of Ágreda bilocated here from her cloistered convent in Spain to teach the Indians the Faith.

3. Milwaukee

America’s oldest church isn’t American — it’s French. Erected around 1420, Milwaukee’s St. Joan of Arc Chapel, with the stone on which Joan of Arc reportedly prayed before going off to war, “immigrated” to America in the 1920s. At nearby Holy Hill in Hubertus, pilgrims climb 178 winding steps to an observation deck in one of the twin towers (and if that doesn’t take their breath away, the view will). Traveling north to Champion, you’re on holy ground at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, where Our Lady appeared to Adele Brise in 1859. For Truth and Wisdom (and Peace and Happy, too!), head west to Shullsburg, where Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli named the streets for godly virtues.

Can miracles strike twice? It happened at Holy Family Church in nearby Chicago. The Victorian Gothic church — with a spectacular five-story-tall wooden high altar — miraculously survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and a wrecking ball in 1990. Nicknamed the Joy of Chicago, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica will take your breath and sorrows away. Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen is loaded with “windows to heaven”: Byzantine icons. At St. John, Indiana, walk with Christ at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion, where 40 life-size bronze sculptures recreate Jesus’ last days on earth.

2. New York City

The Big Apple is “Big Faith.” Dozens of attractions await within a 150-mile radius of New York City, including sites in six nearby states. All the world is a stage, except at St. Malachy’s Church in Manhattan’s Theater District, where actors and other entertainers come to pray. What’s better than one St. Patrick’s Cathedral? Two St. Patrick’s Cathedrals! When nativists threatened the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, loopholes were cut into the outer brick wall to defend the church. The “new” St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a mid-1800s Gothic masterpiece, boasts 330-foot spires, 15 altars, 19 bells and 9,000-pound bronze doors.

In Connecticut, come to Bethlehem and a 300-year-old Italian crèche with 68 miniature figures at the Abbey of Regina Laudis. Everything is massive at Hartford’s Cathedral of Saint Joseph — from the nearly seven-story-tall art-glass windows to the 40-by-80-foot ceramic tile mural Christ in Glory in the sanctuary.

The faith marches on in Philadelphia. The Miraculous Medal Shrine holds an exact replica of the French chair that Our Lady sat in during her visit to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830. Lighting up Old St. Mary’s Church, built around 1763, are chandeliers that originally hung in Independence Hall. Impossible answers to prayer happen at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, where her “impossible” life is portrayed in stained glass.

In New Jersey, St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny honors its World War II hero, Father John P. Washington, with the Four Chaplains Monument — a massive bronze sculpture of the torpedoed USAT Dorchester. Want to venerate the Holy Shroud of Turin? Summit’s Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary holds a 400-year-old certified true copy of the Holy Shroud, with a sacred story of its own.

1. Baltimore

The “faith hub” of Catholic America? Baltimore! Religious attractions in Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia all lie within a three-hour jaunt of this great city.

A 40-foot cross and a museum on St. Clement’s Island, Maryland, marks the historic 1634 landing site of the first English Catholic colonists in America. Baltimore’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the mother church of Catholic America — is uniquely American in design. The Neoclassical structure from 1806 represents both democracy and freedom of worship. Another Baltimore icon, the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, which is longer than a football field, boasts 385 sculptures, 398 panels of stained glass and four side altars.

More legends await at Charles Carroll House and Gardens in Annapolis and at Emmitsburg’s National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, where the widowed mother and founder of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph lived and was laid to rest. Agents of the Underground Railroad operated at Old St. Mary’s Church in Rockville.

Holy sites in the District of Columbia include the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, where President John F. Kennedy’s funeral Mass was held, and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine with floor-to-ceiling mosaics depicting his Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. No passport is needed to visit this Holy Land! The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America replicates the famous shrines of Christ’s life and more.

In Greenville, Delaware, St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church — dubbed the “DuPont Church” — got its distinctive yellow color when it was painted the same color as the DuPont homes. At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a larger-than-life statue of Father William Corby of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, at Gettysburg National Military Park portrays the bearded Civil War chaplain granting general absolution to 530 soldiers. Near Hanover, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus tells tales of early Jesuits who went undercover (in Quaker garb even!) when Catholicism was outlawed during English colonial days.

So take to the highways and the byways this summer and visit the wonderful monuments, marvels and miracles of America’s Catholic faith! It’ll rev up your faith and be a road trip you won’t soon forget.

Marion Amberg is an award-winning journalist and the author of “ Monuments, Marvels, and Miracles: A Traveler’s Guide to Catholic America ” (OSV, $27.95).

Marion Amberg

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Classic Catholic pilgrimages for your bucket list

Abraham Path Initiative

The holy pilgrimage has been a Christian tradition since the first recorded spiritual journey, in which a bishop named Mileto from Sardis in Asia Minor traveled to the Holy Land in around 160 to visit “the place where [things described in the Bible] were preached and done.” Whereas current circumstances are keeping us all from going on a pilgrimage, it is always good to plan ahead and prepare for the future.

In the 4th century, pilgrimages following the footsteps of Jesus and the apostles became popular after Constantine’s mother, St. Helena, visited Jerusalem, discovered what is thought to have been the True Cross, and built churches over holy sites related to Jesus’ life. To walk the same path as Jesus and his followers, and to see with one’s own eyes the places mentioned in Scripture, was more than just travel, it was meant to hasten an interior journey as well.

Rome became a major destination for European pilgrims in the 7th century after the Muslim conquest of the Holy Land limited the number of Christians allowed to visit the holy sites there.

The Crusades themselves were considered a form of pilgrimage, and pilgrimages to the Holy land increased in the late Middle Ages, partly due to the guidance of the Franciscan friars who were entrusted with the guardianship of the holy sites.

Today, Christians continue to make pilgrimages to enrich their spiritual lives. Taken in the spirit of prayer, a pilgrimage can be as life-changing today as it was in the time of St. Jerome, who in the 4th century wrote, “We will have a clearer grasp of Scripture after we have gazed with our own eyes on the sites where the events of our salvation unfolded.”

Here’s a glimpse of a few sacred places to complete any Catholic’s “bucket list,” where modern pilgrims can travel to walk the same path as Jesus and his followers, and visit the sites of the miracles and apparitions:

The Holy Land

Pilgrims to the Holy Land and Jerusalem follow in the footsteps of Jesus, from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was born to the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where he was laid to rest.

For the last 800 years, the Order of St. Francis has had guardianship over these holy sites, and is today working to ensure that Christians continue to exist in the birthplace of Christianity. By offering pilgrimages in the Holy Land , they can help fulfill that mission.

When to visit

The busiest times in Holy Land are during the major Christian and Jewish feasts in spring and fall.

The shrine in Fatima, Portugal, marks the spot where Our Lady of the Rosary appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins, Francisco and Jacinta, between May and October of 1917. Pilgrims from all over the world gather for the torch-lit processions held every day, but especially on pilgrimage days in May and October.

Pilgrims travel to Fatima all year round, but the best-attended processions are held on the 13th of May and October.

El Camino de Santiago

The Way of St. James or El Camino de Santiago became a major pilgrimage destination during the Middle Ages. Tradition tells us that St. James’ remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried. Medieval pilgrims traveled from their homes to what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela, receiving penance for the expiation of sins by undertaking the arduous journey.

Today, the pilgrimage has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, among believers as well as non-believers in search of a retreat from modern life. Pilgrims’ hostels or  albergues  welcome travelers along the way and can be found along the routes in Spain, France and Portugal.

July and August are the busiest months on the Camino. Pilgrims traveling during April, May, June and September enjoy warm weather without the crowds.

Ireland has a long tradition of holy pilgrimages, dating back to St. Patrick’s fast on what is now known as Croagh Patrick in 441. In the pasts few years, the Pilgrim Paths foundation has been restoring the ancient penitential paths, and has so far created five guided walks. After pilgrims get their “passports” stamped after completing each of the five routes, they receive an Irish Pilgrim Paths completion certificate from Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo.

When to visit This August 18-25 Pilgrim Paths is holding its second annual Irish Pilgrim Journey , offering local guides for the 5 pilgrim paths. Other pilgrimages can be found by tour groups in conjuction with this year’s World Meeting of Families in Dublin, which takes place between August 21 and 26.

European pilgrims headed to Rome along the Via Francigena to follow the paths of the martyred saints and early Christians. Emperor Constantine erected basilicas over the tombs of Peter and Paul, which attracted the faithful from all over Europe.

Today a modern pilgrim would similarly visit St. Peter’s Basilica, attend a papal audience with the successor to St. Peter, take a tour of the Catacombs, the Vatican museums, and the ancient churches of the Eternal City.

Winter is the best time to visit Rome if you want to avoid the crowds. Spring and fall, outside of Easter week, offer mild temperatures without the crowds of summer.

Millions of pilgrims flock to southwestern France each year to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is there that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times in 1858 to a young peasant girl, St. Bernadette Soubirous. In one of her appearances she told St. Bernadette to drink from the grotto’s spring. Many of the sick and suffering claim to have been miraculously cured by the spring’s healing waters.

The quiet season at Lourdes is between October and March. During peak season, beginning at Easter, there are usually about 25,000 pilgrims a day visiting Lourdes.

Even before Pope John Paul II’s canonization, a spiritual journey to his homeland in Poland had become a popular pilgrimage among Catholics. An itinerary might include a visit to Karol Wojtyla’s childhood home in Wadowice, the shrine of the Black Madonna at Jasna Gora Monastery in Częstochowa, and the beautiful Tatra Mountains where John Paul II skied. Other must-visit sites: The Shrine of Divine Mercy and the martyred St. Maximilian Kolbe’s cell at Auschwitz.

Pope Francis prays in prisoner #16670’s cell in Auschwitz

As with most popular destinations in Europe, summer is the most crowded season. May to October is the best time to travel to Poland to avoid the cold weather.

For more images from these pilgrimages launch the slideshow.

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20 Pilgrimage Sites Across the United States Worth Visiting

Affinity Travel

While this list is by no means comprehensive, here are 20 popular pilgrimage sites spread across the United States.

Ave Maria Grotto and St. Bernard Abbey

Cullman, alabama.

Known throughout the world as “Jerusalem in Miniature,” Ave Maria Grotto is a beautifully landscaped, fouracre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines in the world. The masterpieces of stone and concrete are the lifetime work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey.

The grotto is located less than an hour from Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, two hours from Nashville and three from Atlanta. ( www.avemariagrotto.com )

Our Lady of San Juan del Valle

Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine

San juan, texas.

The Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle has drawn people from all over the world. Attracting more than one million visitors each year, it’s become one of Texas’ most popular attractions. The shrine abounds with diversity and recognizes and honors all faiths, paths and beliefs. Pilgrims, visitors and tourists are welcome to experience a spiritual journey in the Basilica grounds, with free tours available daily. Onsite hotel accommodations with 92 comfortable rooms provide convenient access. ( www.olsjbasilica.org )

California Mission Trail:

California Missions Trail

San diego to sonoma, california.

There are 21 missions making up the California Historic Missions Trail that stretches from San Diego to Sonoma. The first mission was built in 1769 and the last mission was built in 1823. Most are still active Catholic parishes and have regularly scheduled services. The missions include San Diego de Alcala, San Luis Rey de Francia, San Juan Capistrano, San Gabriel Arcangel, San Buenaventura, San Fernando Rey de Espana, Santa Barbara, Santa Ines, La Purisima Conception, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Miguel Arcangel, San Antonia de Padua, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara de Asis, San Jose, San Francisco de Asis Mission Dolores, San Rafael Arcangel and San Francisco Solano. ( www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22722 )

Mother Cabrini Shrine

Golden, colorado.

Located less than an hour west of Denver, Mother Cabrini Shrine is a shrine in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis Xavier Cabrini. Originally a summer camp for the girls from the Queen of Heaven Orphanage, the property became a place of prayer, pilgrimage and devotion after the canonization of St. Cabrini in 1946. The shrine offers retreat facilities that accommodate up to 28 guests in the Stone House and a private chapel. Daily mass is offered, and the facility is open every day. ( www.mothercabrinishrine.org )

Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

St. augustine, florida.

In the early 1600s, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine established the first Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States. As you walk through the historic grounds at the mission, you will be retracing the steps of America’s first founding fathers more than 400 years ago. The present chapel was reconstructed in 1915 and enshrines a replica of the original statue of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto – Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery. ( www.missionandshrine.org )

Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Washington, d.c..

Designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as a National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage, the basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in the U.S. and one of the 10 largest churches in the world. It is considered one of foremost centers of worship, welcoming more than 1 million visitors per year.

With more than 70 chapels and oratories that relate to the Blessed Mother and people from countries around the world, visitors can virtually make a pilgrimage to many of the great Marian shrines of the world. ( www.nationalshrine.com )

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Belleville, illinois.

One of the most popular shrines in North America, with more than one million visitors each year, the shrine is run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. With more than 200 acres of land, it is also one of the largest. The church, completed in 1990, features Icon of Mary, The Living Waters Font and a brilliant altar backdropped by a 15-by-20-foot Aurora Borealis window. Onsite hotel accommodations envelop groups in the experience. ( www.snows.org )

Our Lady of the Sierras

Hereford, arizona.

Located near the Mexico border roughly an hour drive south of Tucson, the shrine consists of a 75-foot-tall cross, a statue depicting Our Lady, chapel, stations of the cross and Mary’s Knoll at the foot of the hill. No matter your faith, this is a peaceful spot to reflect, gain perspective and take in amazing views of the Huachuca Valley and Mexico. ( www.ourladyofthesierras.org )

Shrine of Christ’s Passion

St. john, indiana.

The Shrine of Christ’s Passion is a multi-media, interactive religious attraction in Northwest Indiana, just outside of Chicago. The main attraction is a half-mile winding prayer trail that depicts the last days of Jesus Christ’s life. Forty life-size bronze sculptures in a tranquil setting, complete with beautiful music and sculptured gardens, allow visitors to experience the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection as never before.

The newly opened Moses at Mount Sinai puts you directly in a scene with Moses himself. The path leads you on a journey with his 10 Commandments and has music, voiceover, lighting, and sound effects.

An impressive gift shop features 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, Marian shrine and national historic landmark. More than 100,000 people visit the Basilica each year, making it one of Baltimore’s top tourist activities.

Guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday. The hour-long tour includes all areas of the church including Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Crypt, Museum and the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden. ( www.americasfirstcathedral.org )

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

St. louis, missouri.

The Cathedral Basilica is known for having the largest mosaic collection in the Western Hemisphere, which took nearly 80 years to complete. The mosaics cover 83,000 square feet, comprising 41 million glass pieces and more than 7,000 colors. They depict various scenes and passages from the Old and New Testament of the Bible, archdiocesan events and in the narthex, the life of King Louis IX of France. There is a chapel dedicated to the souls of former leaders of the archdiocese, and several cardinals are buried in the crypt of the cathedral. Guided tours are available weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ( www.cathedralstl.org )

Shrine of our lady of the island

Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

Long island, new york.

Sitting on 70 acres, the shrine is designed to give pilgrims ample opportunity to reflect and pray. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island was established by the Missionaries of the Company of Mary in order to be a center of authentic Marian spirituality and devotion, and to renew Catholic life through liturgy, preaching and pilgrimages.

On its expansive grounds you’ll find an 18-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, an outdoor Stations of the Cross, a rosary walk, a Pope John Paul II memorial, a Blessed Sacrament Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Island and numerous statues and areas for prayer. ( www.ourladyoftheisland.com )

The Sorrowful Mother Shrine

Bellevue, ohio.

Founded in 1850, it is the oldest Marian shrine in the Midwest and east of the Mississippi River. A missionary priest of the Most Precious Blood, Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner built a small red brick chapel to the Sorrowful Mother because of his great devotion to Mary.

There are more than 30 grottos among the 120 acres open to visitors. Paved walkways winding among tall trees lead to Stations of the Cross and replicas of Lourdes and the Sepulchre Grotto and are favorite places of prayer and meditation. ( www.sorrowfulmothershrine.org )

House of Mary Shrine

Yankton, south dakota.

Located on the picturesque shore of Lewis & Clark Lake, six miles west of Yankton, South Dakota, its panoramic provides spectacular views of area wildlife. You can walk the Way of the Cross that winds up Calvary Hill, which features three 50-foot wooden crosses at the 13th station. Other peaceful places for prayer and reflection include a beautiful rosary pond, a rosary way, Mary’s Entrance, Little House of Mary and a meditation area. ( www.thehouseofmaryshrine.org )

Shrine of the True Cross

Dickinson, texas.

Located between Houston and Galveston, Texas, this 1936 relic of the True Cross was obtained for the shrine from the Basilica Church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem) in Rome, where a large piece of the Holy Cross resides. The relic of the Holy Cross is available in the church year round for veneration with mass daily. ( www.truecrosschurch.org )

National Shrine of St. Odilia

Onamia, minnesota.

In 1952, a major relic of St. Odilia was brought to the Crosier community in Onamia, 90 miles north of the Twin Cities. A shrine in her honor was set up in the priory chapel, where the reliquary is currently housed. St. Odilia has promised her intercession on behalf of the Crosiers and all those who invoke her aid. For centuries it has been the practice of the Crosiers to bless water in honor of St. Odilia, dipping her relic in it and asking God to give it “power against all diseases and bodily infirmities.”

There are three “stations” in the national shrine. The religious icon of St. Odilia and two of her relics help pilgrims “look through” the icon designed as a window into heaven and pause for prayer in the presence of the relics. ( www.crosier.org )

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Doylestown, pennsylvania.

An hour outside of 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 faiths to visit and take part in the religious and cultural activities held at the Shrine throughout the year.

In the lower church below the main church is a replica of Our Lady’s Chapel at Jana Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, where the original icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa resides. There are four side chapels dedicated to St. Paul the First Hermit, Our Lady of Nazareth, Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Retreats are offered year-round at the Ave Maria Retreat House. ( www.czestochowa.us )

National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods

Indian river, michigan.

This Northern Michigan facility is an expansive wooded complex featuring six shrines and monuments including the Shrine of St. Francis, Our Lady of the Highways Shrine, the Holy 28 Stairs and The Man on the Cross. The Shrine is the home for the largest collection of dolls dressed in traditional habits of men’s and women’s religious communities in the United States.( www.crossinthewoods.com )

Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Conyers, georgia.

The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is a community of more than 40 monks spanning several generations who live, work and pray together. The monastery has facilities to accommodate any group need. Classrooms for a lecture, meeting space for a business meeting or rooms for overnight stays are all available and can be used alone or in combination depending on your needs. Monks are available to speak with your group.

The expansive visitor center features interactive displays including videos about the monastic tradition while the new 17,000- square-foot Heritage Center incorporates both new and renovated historic Monastery structures and integrates elements of learning and hands-on activities. ( www.trappist.net )

Madonna Queen of the Universe

Madonna Queen of the Universe Shrine

Boston, massachusetts.

Overlooking Logan Airport in Boston is a 32-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Located at the national headquarters of the Order of Don Orione, it is a replica of the one at the Don Orione Center in Rome. ( www.catholicshrines.net/states/ma3.htm )

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Top 5 catholic bucket list destinations.

• Catholic Online
• Travel & Leisure

As Catholics, we know the world offers a variety of historically religious landmarks from the River Jordan to the  birthplace of Christ, our Savior. So, after scrimping and saving you're ready to go out and explore religiously- relevant locations across the globe...but where do you start?

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Keywords: Top 5 , Historical landmarks , Catholic , Travel , Salzburg , Austria , St. Declan's Well , Ardmore , County Waterford , Ireland , Compostela , Spain , Montserrat , List , Krakow and Czestochowa , Poland , bucket list

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - I have traveled across the globe in search of the many wonders God created. If t here is anything I learned through my travels, it is that God always intervenes. 

There have been times I was all packed up and ready to head to my next destination only to be stopped by unsafe 

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Santiago de Compostela, Spain If you like historic sites, you definitely need to visit Compostela, Spain. It was once believed to be the edge of  the world and was a great pilgrimage center. There are several ways to reach Compostela and most choose to walk  the whole way. Their journeys take weeks but there are several hostels along each route. People who choose to walk receive a "credencial," which they can buy for only a few euros from a Spanish tourist  agency or a parish house. The credencial serves as a sort of passport that each refugio (hostel) can stamp with an official  St. James stamp so you can look back at your journey. It is also evidence you can provide once you reach Compostela in exchange for a certificate of completion. When I went there were tourists mixed in with modern pilgrims and the conversations were really enlightening. I  had an opportunity to talk about my beliefs and relate to others along the journey. Unfortunately, I was not able  to walk the entire route due to a health problem but I was able to visit Compostela and learn about the journey  from others, most of whom were proud to have made the journey. Once you arrive, you should go straight to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a historic cathedral said to  house St. James' remains. It is beautifully crafted and holds a vast history. There is even a popular statue of  Saint James that people hug upon arrival. If you are ever in Spain, buy a pair of walking shoes and head over to  Compostela!

Montserrat, Spain Speaking of Spain, Montserrat is a beautiful mountain top monastery that is a really popular tourist attraction. 

Not only is the monastery gorgeous, but its history grabs you by the collar and pulls you in! It is here that young shepherd children heard angelic voices accompanied by music and beautiful shafts of light 

flowing from heaven. They told their parents, who joined the audience and saw visions from heaven. The phenomenon  continued until a local priest experienced it for himself and he discovered a statue of Mary in a cave. The statue was one of the black Madonnas Europe boasts. The statue's name, "la Moreneta," means "little dark- skinned one" and is believed to have been carved in Jerusalem in the late 12th century. It is said that the  Benedictine monks were unable to move her so they built a monastery around her.  The locals stay close to the origins of heavenly music and visions by promoting music to glorify God. Each day a  boys choir sings in the basilica and people participate in the Gregorian chant. It is a popular location not only  for the religious, but also for romantics.  During my visit, a couple was holding a wedding outside the city with the monastery as a gorgeous backdrop. I got  to soak up God's goodness by witnessing a portion of the blessed event as well as paying a visit to the monastery.

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Salzburg, Austria Let me tell you now, I have never been anywhere so saturated with Christian culture in my life. The  city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and boasts palaces, churches, is known to be the  birthplace of Wolfgang Mozart, was a setting for The Sound of Music and, perhaps most importantly, features  a host of religious connotations and historical facts. As Bogle wrote, "Visit the beautiful Cathedral with its great lantern-like ceiling that gives a feeling of space  and freedom. The baroque interior seems clean and new-that's because it was all rebuilt following wartime bombing.  We are looking at a baroque church as it is meant to be-bright and fresh, not with the dust of years." The sound of church bells can be heard, the sweeping mountaintops astound and the sound of music can be heard each  day. If you choose to do so, I really suggest you visit the local breweries, not to imbibe in alcohol - though it certainly isn't frowned upon - but to enjoy some delicious local cuisine! I promise you, Salzburg potato dumplings will not disappoint!

Krakow and Czestochowa, Poland If you've never been to Poland, I suggest you pay it a visit. Definitely add it to your bucket list! Visit the Wawel castle and cathedral, brush up on Polish history and pay your respects to the place Pope John Paul II was ordained. The artwork and architecture will take your breath away and Bogle agrees:

"Enjoy Krakow's other churches and choose from among its pleasant cafés and restaurants. Then travel on to Czestochowa, the shrine of Jasna Gora, the Bright Mountain, where Mary has been venerated for centuries. The serene face of the Virgin on this sacred icon looks out with untroubled gaze, solemn and absorbent, taking in the message entrusted to her. This is a woman who knew-and knows-about human sorrow, and also about the redemption won for us all by the death and resurrection of her Son.

"Go to confession in one of the innumerable places where this is available. Take your turn at waiting for a chance to view the icon at the heart of the shrine, but visit various chapels, too, and see the many gifts left there by pilgrims over the years. Take your sorrows to the Virgin: She understands. This is a corner of Europe that knows its history. Auschwitz is only a short distance away."

Though a visit to Auschwitz isn't on my bucket list, I still suggest you go if you have the opportunity. One of the most exciting reasons to travel is to witness different places around the world history took place. God was in Auschwitz, whether people are willing to admit it or not, and helped people as they struggled to survive -or took those who didn't to a better place, but that story is for another article.

Save your money, pray for divine intervention and research where you would like to travel. Each of these places should be on your bucket list of Catholic-related locations to visit. 

Where have you gone? What do you think of my list? Do you have any suggestions for my next destination? Please leave your comments below!

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The Catholic Travel Guide

Catholic Churches, Shrines & Places of Interest in Spain

About the catholic church in spain:.

The new religion of Christianity came to Spain early in the first Century through the efforts of Saint James and the apostle Paul. Through the centuries Spain has given us some of our greatest saints and offers many shrines of interest to Catholics. Presented here are just a few of them and we will be adding more as time goes on.

If you are traveling on your own, there is a mobile phone app, misas.org, that will give you local Mass times and locations throughout the country (in Spanish only at this time).

A word about dinner in Spain:   If you are traveling independently and head out for dinner, be aware that dinner is normally served from 9:00 p.m. until midnight , much later than many visitors are expecting.  It is usually served earlier in tourist towns, or if you happen to be in a group tour.  Dinner is usually a lighter meal than lunch.

Catholic shrines & places of interest in Spain:

Alba de Tormes: Carmelite Convent & relics of Saint Teresa of Avila

Almonte: Monastery of El Roccio

Agreda:   Incorrupt Body of Venerable Mary of Jesus of Ágreda “The Lady in Blue”

Aragon: Our Lady of Torreciudad

Avila: Saint Teresa of Avila

Barcelona:   La Sagrada Familia

Canary Islands: Our Lady of Candelaria

Cantabria:   Monastery of Santo Torbio de Liebana

Cravaca de la Cruz:   Basilica of the Holy Cross

Carretera de Guadarrama: Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen

Covadonga : Our Lady of Covadonga

Garabandal: Apparitions of Our Lady

Girona:  Monastery of St Peter of Rodes

Guadalupe: Our Lady of Guadalupe in Extremadura (Black Madonna)

Limipias: Miraculous Crucifix

Leon: Basilica of San Isidoro & Pantheon of the Kings

Loyola: Ignatius of Loyola

Madrid:   Catholic shrines & places of interest

Malaga: (cruise port & Cathedral)

Manresa:   Where St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote his “Spiritual Exercises”

Montserrat: Home of the Black Madonna

O Cabreiro:  Eucharistic Miracle & stop on the route of Saint James

Oviedo:   Catholic shrines in Oviedo

Prada Nuevo: (Madrid area): Our Lady of Sorrows

Salamanca: Pena de Francia (Our Lady of the Rock)

Santiago de Compostela: the Cathedral of Saint James

Santo Domingo de Silos: the Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos

Saragossa (Zaragoza): Our Lady of the Pillar

Segovia:   Tomb of Saint John of the Cross

Seville:   Largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, tomb of Christopher Columbus

Valencia: Saint Mary’s Cathedral and the Holy Grail

Vic: Tomb of St Anthony Mary Claret in the Motherhouse of the Claretian Order.

 Villafrana de Bierzo:  Convent of the Annunciation (tomb of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi)

Traveling independently?  Try staying in a Parado r for a unique experience.

4 thoughts on “Spain”

I noted that the Caravaca de la Cruz is not included in your list? or the Mezquita (Cathedral) in Cordoba? They are beautiful and faith-filled sites.

Thanks for the suggestion…we will add it as soon as possible.

We would like to spend june, july, and august in Spain 2023. We have 2 teens and would like to join a swim team and a tennis club. We have bever been to Spain. We would like to see a lot of historical sites and practice our Spanish. Should we stay in Madrid, Valencia, Seville, or somewhere else as our home base?

Try researching Zaragoza – we lived there for over 3 years. Zaragoza is located about halfway between Madrid & Barcelona, (as a bonus, it is only a 4.5 hour drive to Lourdes). You will love the basilicas, especially Our Lady of the Pillar, where you can venerate the pillar and see 3 bombs dropped (but which never detonated) during the Spanish Civil War. Santa Engracia church had started investigating/excavating when we left in 2009, so there may be crypts to visit by now.

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