In a recent post for The National Catholic Register, Father Dwight Longenecker encourages Catholics to go on pilgrimages. “On a pilgrimage, you step outside your comfort zone. You see the world from a fresh perspective.” He encourages. Unfortunately, pilgrimages can be expensive endeavors and not everyone has the resources needed to set out on a European tour or a trip to the Holy Land. Wonderfully, we have many, many sites right here in the United States that are worthy of being visited on pilgrimages. You might have one in your very own hometown. In contemplating Father Longenecker’s article I began to wonder if every state has a shrine or a pilgrimage site. Then I began to wonder if I could narrow the category further to encompass Marian sites alone and that is how this post came about.
I’ve spent several weeks researching Marian shrines within the United States. For a site to be considered a shrine, it typically attracts pilgrims due to it possessing a relic or a sacred image or is a replica of a famous pilgrimage site overseas. For a shrine to be designated a “National Shrine” the USCCB has established rigorous norms which are explained here. I did not find actual shrines for every state. For those states which did not have shrines I researched to find either a historically significant church dedicated to Our Lady or a particularly beautiful church named for Mary. I really wanted to compile a worthy list of Marian pilgrimage locations with the best links available and while my list is not exhaustive in any sense of the word, there is a site for each state and Washington DC.
Alabama–Ave Maria Grotto of the Benedictine Abby, Cullman
Alaska–Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Juneau
Arizona–Our Lady of the Sierras, Hereford
Arkansas–Our Lady of the Ozarks Shrine, Winslow
California–Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine, Colusa
Colorado–Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Colorado Springs
Connecticut–Saint Mary’s Church, New Haven
Delaware–Our Lady Queen of Peace Statue, New Castle
Florida–Our Lady of LaLeche Shrine, Saint Augustine
Georgia–Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Atlanta
Hawaii–Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu
Idaho–Our Lady of Tears, Silver City
Illinois–National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville
Indiana–National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence, Saint Mary of the Woods
Iowa–Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace Statue, Trinity Heights
Kansas–Immaculate Heart of Mary and Grotto, Windthorst
Kentucky–Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington
Louisiana–Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans
Maine–Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland
Maryland–National Shrine Grotto, Emmitsburg
Massachusetts–Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro
Michigan–Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pontiac
Minnesota–Epiphany Fatima Shrine, Coon Rapids
Mississippi–Saint Mary’s Basilica, Natchez
Missouri–National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Perryville
Montana–Our Lady of the Rockies Statue, Butte
Nebraska–Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Arapahoe
Nevada–Saint Mary’s in the Mountains, Virginia City
New Hampshire–Our Lady of La Salette Shrine, Enfield
New Jersey–Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Asbury
New Mexico–Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Fe
New York–National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Stony Point
North Carolina–Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Belmont Abbey
North Dakota–Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo
Ohio–Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey
Oklahoma–Our Lady of Clear Creek Monastery, Clear Creek
Oregon–The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother and The Grotto, Portland
Pennsylvania–Miraculous Medal Shrine, Philadelphia
Rhode Island–Our Lady of the Rosary, Providence
South Carolina–Our Lady of Joyful Hope, Kingstree
South Dakota–House of Mary Shrine, Yanktown
Tennessee–Virgin of the Poor Shrine, South Pittsburg
Texas–Marian Shrine of Our Lady fo Schoenstatt, Austin
Utah–Saint Mary’s Old Chapel, Park City
Vermont–Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer, Jamaica
Virginia–Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk
Washington–Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane
Washington DC–Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
West Virginia–Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church, Morgantown
Wisconsin–National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion
Wyoming–Our Lady of Peace Shrine and Statue, Pine Bluffs
Have you visited any of the sites listed above? Is there a particular Marian themed pilgrimage not listed which you have visited and could tell us about? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.
