They’re open year round, and there’s probably one very close to you. Make plans for a pilgrimage today.
Alabama
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
Alaska
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.
Arizona
Hereford: Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras (above)
Also:
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
California
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.
Also:
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
Colorado
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.
Also:
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.
Also:
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family
Florida
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
Georgia
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.
Also:
Atlanta: Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Hawaii
Iowa
West Bend: The Grotto of the Redemption (above)
Illinois
Belleville (near St. Louis, Mo.) National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (above)
Also:
Chicago: National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows
National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
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
Indiana
Saint John: The Shrine of Christ’s Passion (above, LOOKS AMAZING!)
Kansas
Mound City: Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne (above)
Louisiana
New Orleans: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (above)
Also:
Grand Coteau: Shrine of Saint John Berchmans
Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Maine
Kennebunkport: Saint Anthony Franciscan Monastery (above)
Maryland
Baltimore: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (above)
Also:
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)
Also:
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
Michigan
Indian River: The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods
Also:
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
Minnesota
Cold Spring: Assumption Chapel (above)
Missouri
Eureka: The Black Madonna Shrine (above)
Also:
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)
Montana
Butte: Our Lady of the Rockies (above)
Nebraska
Omaha: Cathedral of Saint Cecilia
Nevada
Las Vegas: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer (above)
Also:
Reno: Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral
New Hampshire
Colebrook: National Shrine of Our Lady of Grace (above)
New Jersey
Washington: Blue Army National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (above)
Newark: National Shrine of Saint Gerard
New Mexico
Abiquiu: Monastery of Christ in the Desert (above)
Also:
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)
Also:
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
Ohio
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
Oklahoma
Prague: National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague (above)
Oregon
Portland: National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother (above)
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia: Miraculous Medal Shrine (above)
Also:
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)
Tennessee
New Hope: Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor
Texas
San Juan: Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine
Also:
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
San Juan: Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine
Vermont
Jamaica: Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer
Washington State
Olympia: Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Wisconsin
Hubertus: Basilica Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill
Also:
La Crosse: Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
Champion (Green Bay Area): Newly approved apparition of “Our Lady of Good Help”.
BONUS:
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.
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