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Catholic Shrines, Pilgrimage Sites & Places of Interest in the United States

Although the United States is a fairly young country compared to many others, it abounds with Catholic shrines and places of interest to Catholics. The history of the Catholic Church in the U.S.A. has not always been an easy one. Although many who settled here came for religious freedom, this did not always apply to Catholics. In fact, as immigrants from such countries as Ireland and Italy (with largely Catholic populations) came in the late 19th Century, anti-Catholicism arose in certain parts of the country, stoked on by such groups as the Ku Klux Klan and some Protestant pastors. Church-burnings and intimidation took place, and many newspaper cartoons portrayed Catholics as agents of the devil.

The Irish, for example, they were branded as shiftless drunkards and advertisements were known to include the words “No Irish Need Apply“.  The Italian, Czechs and Polish were also greeted with hostility.

Despite these obstacles, Catholicism grew in the country and today it accounts for roughly 25% of the population.

Almost every state has something to appeal to Catholic vacationers and pilgrims alike. If you are traveling and looking for a place to visit or attend Mass then check one of these out. In addition many of the shrines offer pilgrimages and retreats.

Have missed your favorite?   Email us and we will add it…we are always looking for ways to add Catholic places of interest.

ALABAMA

Cullman: Ave Maria Grotto and St. Bernard Abbey

Birmingham:  Cathedral of Saint Paul and St. Stephen the Martyr Chapel

Fort Mitchell:  Blessed Trinity Retreat Center

Irondale and Hanceville: EWTN Studios and Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Mobile:  Churches & shrines

ALASKA

Juneau: Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux

ARIZONA

Grand Canyon Park: El Cristo Rey Chapel

Hereford: Shrine of Our Lady of the Sierras

Mesa: Saint Peregrine Cancer Shrine

Phoenix:  Saint Mary’s Basilica; Saint Joseph Maronite Church & Shrine of Saint Charbel

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

Sedona: Chapel of the Holy Cross

Sonoita:  Santa Rita Abbey & Retreat House

Tonopah:  Our Lady of Solitude Monastery (Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration)

Tucson: Mission San Xavier del Bac; Mary Undoer of Knots Byzantine Catholic Shrine;  Shrine of Saint Gianna;

Yarnell:  Shrine of Saint Joseph of the Mountains

ARKANSAS

Dardendale:  Ol’ Shalom Ranch /retreat center

New Blaine: Hesychia House of Prayer

Springdale: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (traditional Latin Mass)

Subiaco:  Subiaco Abbey

CALIFORNIA

Beverly Hills:  Church of the Good Shepherd

Big Sur:   New Camaldoli Hermitage

Carmel: San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission Basilica

Fresno: Shrine of Saint Terese

Garden Grove (Los Angeles area): Christ Cathedral & Our Lady of La Vang Shrine)

La Jolla: Infant Jesus of Prague Shrine in Mary Star of the Sea Church

Sacramento:  National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament

San Diego: Basilica Mission San Diego de Alcala

San Francisco: Many Shrines and Places of Interest

San Jose:  Mount Saint Joseph Carmelite Monastery

Santa Ana: Heart of Jesus Retreat Center

Santa Barbara:  Santa Barbara Mission

Santa Clara: Shrines and Monastery

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

Silverado:  Saint Michael’s Abbey

Statewide: The Spanish Missions

Tehachapi: The Bethlehem Priory of Saint Joseph (Norbertine Monastery)

Valyermo:  Saint Andrew’s Benedictine Monastery

COLORADO

Denver:  Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception & tomb of Servant of God Julia Greeley

Golden: Mother Cabrini Shrine

San Luis:  Stations of the Cross Shrine

Snowmass: Saint Benedict’s Abbey

Virginia Dale: The Abbey of Saint Walburga

CONNECTICUT

Litchfield: The Lourdes in Litchfield

New Haven: Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center (formerly The Knights of Columbus Museum)

New Haven: Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague

 Stamford:  Villa Maria Guadalupe Retreats

 Waterbury: Shrine of Saint Anne for Mothers

DISTRICT OF COLMBIA

 Washington: Click here for the many shrines & places of interest in Washington, D.C.

FLORIDA

 Fort Lauderdale:  Churches near the cruise port of Fort Lauderdale

 Key West: Basilica of Saint Mary Star of the Sea

 Miami: Click here for many Shrines & Places of Interest in Miami

 Orlando:  Click here for many Shrines & Places of Interest in Orlando

 Saint Augustine: Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

 Sarasota:  Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church (First class relic of St. Padre Pio)

Tampa:  Our Lady Help of Christians Center

The Florida Keys:  St. Mary Star of the Sea, Underwater statue of Christ of the Chasm

GEORGIA

Atlanta: Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Conyers: Monastery of the Holy Spirit

Macon:  Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Savannah:  Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist; Childhood Home Museum of Flannery O”Connor

GUAM

Agana:  Catholic Churches in Guam

HAWAII

Lahaina, Maui, Molokai, Oahu: Catholic shrines and places of interest

IDAHO

Coeur d’Alene: Cataldo Mission State Park

ILLINOIS

Belleville: National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Berwyn (Chicago area): St Odilo Catholic Church & National Shrine of Souls in Purgatory

Chicago: Many Catholic shrines and places of interest in Chicago

Darien: National Shrine of Saint Therese

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

El Paso:  Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Spiritual Centre

Marytown: National Shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe

Morton Grove: Shrine of All Saints (over 1500 relics)

Peoria:  Tomb of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen & Museum of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Quincy: Grave of Servant of God Father Augustus Tolton

Teutopolis:  Saint Francis of Assisi Church

INDIANA

Greensburg:  Edelweiss House Retreat Center and Farm

Huntington: Saint Felix Retreat Center

Saint John: The Shrine of Christ’s Passion

Saint Mary’s: Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin

Saint Meinrad:  Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Monte Cassino Shrine

Terre Haute:  Carmelite Monastery

IOWA

Dubuque:  Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey

Dyersville: Basilica of Saint Francis Xavier

Sioux City:  Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine

West Bend: The Grotto of the Redemption

West Burlington:  Our Lady of Grace Grotto

KANSAS

Beloit:  St Padre Pio Chapel with first class relic

Mound City: Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne

Victoria:  Basilica of Saint Fidelis…..”the Cathedral of the plains”

 Wichita:  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception & tomb of Emil Capaun.

KENTUCKY

Covington:  Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption

Louisville:  Several Catholic churches and shrines

Nazareth: Nazareth Retreat House

Trappist:  Abbey of Gethsemani

Whitesville:  Passionist Nuns at Saint Joseph Monastery

LOUISIANA

Convent: Manresa House of Retreat

Grand Coteau: Shrine of Saint John Berchmans

Lake Charles:  Several Catholic places of interest

Metairie:  National Shrine of Saint Ann

New Orleans: Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest

Opelousas:  Ave Maria Shrine, Orphan Train Museum

Richard (Diocese of Lafayette): Grave of Servant of God Charlene Richard

Saint Martinville:  Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church

Shreveport:  The Museum of the Holy Shroud at the Cathedral of Saint John Berchmans

MAINE

Kennebunkport: Saint Anthony Franciscan Monastery

Lewiston:  Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

MARYLAND

Baltimore: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption; St Jude Shrine, Nat Shrine of St. Alphonsus Liguori

Ellicott City: Shrine of Saint Anthony

Emmitsburg: National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes; National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

MASSACHUSETTS

Attleboro: National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

Boston: Several shrines & places of interest

Chicopee: Saint Stanislaus Basilica

Cape Cod Area: Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard

Easton: Father Peyton Memorial 

Fall River:  Saint Anne’s Shrine

Fiskdale (Sturbridge):  Saint Anne Shrine

Salem:  Saint John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy

Spencer:  Saint Joseph’s Trappist Abbey

Still River: Saint Benedict Abbey

Stockbridge: National Shrine of Divine Mercy

MICHIGAN

Detroit: Shrine of Blessed Solanus Casey, Old Saint Mary’s Church, Mother of Divine Mercy Parish: St. Josaphat Church & Sweetest Heart of Mary Church

Grand Rapids:  Basilica of Saint Adalbert

L’Anse: Shrine of (Venerable) Bishop Baraga (“The Snowshoe Priest”)

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

Marquette:  St. Peter Cathedral & Tomb of Ven. Bishop Baraga

Royal Oak: National Basilica Shrine of the Little Flower

Washington: Capuchin Retreat Center

MINNESOTA

Cold Spring: Assumption Chapel

Minneapolis:  Basilica of Saint Mary

New Prague:  Shrine to Blessed Karl of Austria

New Ulm:  Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity

Saint Paul:  Cathedral & National Shrine of Saint Paul

Onamia: National Shrine of Saint Odilia

MISSISSIPPI

Natchez:  Basilica of Saint Mary

MISSOURI

Branson: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

Clyde: Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Monastery

Eureka: The Black Madonna Shrine

Florissant: Old Saint Ferdinand Shrine

Gower:  Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus

Laurie: National Shrine of Mary, Mother of The Church

Perryville:  National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal

Saint Charles: Shrine of Saint Philippine Duchesne

Saint Louis:   Cathedrals, shrines and Basilca

Saint Patrick:  Shrine of Saint Patrick

Starkenburg: Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows

MONTANA

Butte: Our Lady of the Rockies

Stevensville: Saint Mary’s Mission and Museum



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NEBRASKA

Denton:  Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary…..Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP)

Gretna: Shrine of the Holy Family

Gretna:  The Cloisters on the Platte

Omaha: Cathedral of Saint Cecilia

Schuyler:  Saint Benedict Retreat Center

Waverly: Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House (Diocese of Lincoln);        Knights of the Holy Eucharist (founded by Mother Angelica)

NEVADA

Las Vegas: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer

Reno: Saint Thomas Aquinas Cathedral

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Colebrook: National Shrine of Our Lady of Grace

NEW JERSEY

Brick:  Shrine to Blessed Carlo Acutis in Saint Dominic’s Church

Clifton:  Holy Face Monastery

Elizabeth:  Saint Walburga Monastery and Retreat Center

Kearny:  Sanctuary of the Four Chaplains in Saint Stephen’s Church

Landisville:  Shrine of Saint Padre Pio

Montclair:  Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory

Newark: National Shrine of Saint Gerard

Patterson:  Grave of Father Leo Heinrichs, martyr

Summit: Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary

Washington: Blue Army National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

NEW MEXICO

Abiquiu: Monastery of Christ in the Desert

Albuquerque: Many old churches plus the Shrine of Saint Bernadette

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

Golden: Saint Francis Assis Catholic Church

La Laguna:  Laguna, New Mexico: Saint Joseph of Laguna Mission

Mescalero: Saint Joseph’s Apache Mission

Santa Fe: Many places of interest

NEW YORK STATE

Auriesville: Shrine of the North American Martyrs

Buffalo/Niagara Falls: Two national shines and beautiful churches

Edmeston: Rosa Mystica House of Prayer & Retreat Center

Fonda: National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine

Manorville (Long Island):  Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

Middletown:  National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

New York City: Many sites of interest listed 

Piffard (Finger Lakes area):  Abbey of the Genesee

Stony Point: Salesian National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians

Syracuse: Shrine of Saint of Marianne Cope

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville:  Basilica of Saint Lawrence

Raleigh:  Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral

OHIO

Bellevue:  The Sorrowful Mother Shrine 

Bloomingdale: Catholic Family Land

Burton:  Christ the Bridegroom Monastery & Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch

Canton: Rhoda Wise House and Grotto

Carey: Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation

Cincinnati:    Holy Cross Immaculata; Saint Anthony Shrine & Friary; Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center

Cleveland:    Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist; Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration Chapel; St Elizabeth of Hungary Shrine

Columbus:  Jubilee Museum; Shrine of Blessed Margaret of Castello, O.P

Euclid:  National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes

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

Marietta:  Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption

Massillon: National Shrine of Saint Dymphna

Mogadore:  Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (life size replica of the Lourdes Grotto)

North Jackson: National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon

Toledo:  Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral

Windsor:  Servants of Mary Center for Peace

OKLAHOMA

Hulbert:  Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey

Oklahoma City:  Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine

Prague: National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague

Stillwater:  Saint Francis Xavier Church (beautiful new church built in the traditional style)

OREGON

Portland: National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

Saint Benedict: Mount Angel Abbey

Weston:  Duchovny Dom Byzantine Catholic Mens Monastery

PENNSYLVANIA

Barto: National Centre for Padre Pio

Doylestown: National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa

Kulpmont: Saint Pauline Spirituality Center

Philadelphia: Many places of interest

Pittsburgh: Five Shrines and places of interest 

Scranton:  Saint Thomas More Parish (Anglican Rite)

Uniontown: Mount Saint Macrina

Warminster: Shrine of Saint Gianna

PUERTO RICO

San Juan: Major Catholic Churches in San Juan

RHODE ISLAND

Nasonville: First Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux

Portsmouth: Portsmouth Abbey Monastery and School

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston: Church of Saint Mary of the Annunciation; Saint Ann Catholic Church; Cruise port

Greenville:  Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church (Romanesque & Mission style church)

Kingstree:  Shrine of Our Lady of South Carolina, Our Lady of Our Hope)

Moncks Corner:  Mepkin Abbey (Trappist Monastery)

Rock Hill:  Rock Hill Oratory

SOUTH DAKOTA

Alexandria:  Fatima Family Shrine & Our Lady of Mercy Carmelite Monastery

Irene: Broom Tree Retreat & Conference Center (Diocese of Sioux Falls)

Rapid City:  Saint Martin Monastery

Sioux Falls: Saint Joseph’s Cathedral

Yankton: The House of Mary Shrine

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga:  Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Gatlinburg: St Mary Church at Great Smoky Mountains Natl Park

Kingstree: Shrine of Our Lady of South Carolina, Our Lady of Our Joyful Hope

Knoxville:  Sacred Heart Cathedral:  Beatiful new Cathedral built in the traditional style

Memphis:  Saint Martin de Porres National Shrine & Institute

New Hope: Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor

TEXAS

Due to the large geographic area of the state (roughly the size of France), we are showing the various part of Texas next to the listings.

Corpus Christi (South Texas):  Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center

Cristoval (central Texas): Mount Carmel Hermitage

Dallas/Fort Worth (North Texas…called “The DFW Metroplex): Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Garland, Grand Prairie

Galveston (South Texas Gulf coast):  Near Houston, popular cruise port and historical churches

Grand Prairie (Dallas area):  Nazareth Retreat Center

Hill Country (central Texas): Painted Churches of Texas

Houston Area (Southeast Texas):    Includes Dickinson, Friendswood, Houston

Kerens (North Texas):  Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam

Lindsay (North Texas): Saint Peter’s Catholic Church (historic church built by German immigrants)

Lufkin (Southeast Texas):  Monastery of the Infant Jesus

New Braunfels (central Texas): Mission of Divine Mercy

Panna Maria (central Texas): First Polish Catholic Church in the U.S.

Pipe Creek (San Antonio area):  Sanctus Ranch Retreat Center

Rockport (South Texas Gulf coast): Schoenstatt Center Lamar

Round Top (Central Texas): St Martin Church….the smallest Catholic Church in the world.

San Antonio (Central Texas): The Missions (incl the Alamo); Shrine of the Little Flower; Padre Pio Shrine & many others

San Juan (South Texas): Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle National Shrine

Taft (South Texas Gulf coast):  Immaculate Conception Church (relic of Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio)

Tyler:  (East Texas):  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul

UTAH

 Salt Lake City:  Cathedral of the Madeleine  (under the auspices of St Mary Magdalene)

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Saint Thomas: Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

VERMONT

Isle de la Motte: Shrine of Saint Anne

Jamaica: Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer

VIRGINIA

Alexandria:  Basilica of Saint Mary

Arlington:  Saint Agnes Church (beautiful new altar and ambo)

Fredericksburg:  Saint Jude Catholic Church (relics of the 12 apostles)

Front Royal:  Christendom College Christ the King Chapel

RoanokeSaint Andrew’s Catholic Church

Williamsburg: National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

WASHINGTON STATE

Olympia: Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Seattle:  Catholic churches near the cruise ports

WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston:  Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Charles TownPriory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem) Latin Mass; Saint James the Greater Catholic Church

 Wheeling:  Churches and places of interest

WISCONSIN

Briggsville:  National Shrine of Saint Philomena

FennimoreSaint Mary’s Church (beautifully restored church)

Green Bay area:  National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion; National Shrine of Saint Joseph

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

La Crosse: Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine

Milwaukee: Many sites of interest

Peshtigo: Miraculous saving of a Tabernacle and Host

Rudolph: Rudolph Grotto Gardens

Saint Nazianz:  Holy Resurrection Monastery

WYOMING

Cody: Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton: Chapel of the Sacred Heart

Pine Bluffs:  Statue of Our Lady of Peace

 

Didn’t find what you were looking for?   Email us with your suggestion and we will get right on it.

12 thoughts on “U.S.A.”

  1. Thank you for creating this list. It is a great tool to use while planning vacations!

    Another shrine that you could add for South Dakota is the Fatima Family Shrine in Alexandria, SD. Also, there is a retreat center just outside of Irene, SD, called Broom Tree. It is a really neat place to visit, especially if you’re able to go at a time of year that you could walk around the grounds.

    • As far as the Fatima shrine is concerned it it is listed here, but their physical address is Lewiston, New York as shown on their own website.

      We were not aware of the St.Anne Shrine….thanks for bringing it to our attention. We will get it listed as soon as possible.

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