As we conclude this four-part series on U.S. pilgrimage sites, we reflect on what pilgrimage truly isโa sacred journey not just of miles, but of the heart. It calls us into the unknown, trusting God along the way. The American West, with its wild beauty and history of resilience, embodies that spirit. Like pioneers before us, we press on in hope, seeking God in unexpected places our spiritual lives take us.
Alaska
The National Shrine of Saint Thรฉrรจse // This oceanside shrine features a stone chapel, the Merciful Love Labyrinth, the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail, a Way of the Cross Trail, and Marian and Biblical Gardens. First-class relics of Saint Thรฉrรจse, Saint Ann, Saint Dymphna, Saint Francis, and Saint Maria Goretti are on site, and Eucharistic Adoration is available every Friday.
Arizona
The Chapel of the Holy Cross // Built dramatically into Sedonaโs red-rock cliffs, the chapel is a visual sermon, with the massive cross embedded into the facade representing Christโs triumph over the rugged terrain of life. Wednesdays offer special opportunities for Mass, Adoration, and Confession. Relics of the Twelve Apostles, Saint Paul, and Saint Barnabas are on display for public veneration.
California
Saint Michaelโs Abbey // Home to the Norbertine Fathers, visitors are welcome to join in communal prayers, immerse themselves in rhythmic worship which has been cherished for centuries. Every Saturday, guided tours offer insights into the abbeyโs architecture, art, and spiritual significance. The best time to visit is on the Feast of Saint Michael, when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the abbeyโs rose window during First Vespers, creating a dazzling display of light and colors during the recitation of the Magnificat.
Mission San Juan Capistrano // Among the twenty-one California missions, this one stands out for its beauty, preservation, and spiritual atmosphere. Founded in 1776 by Saint Junipero Serra, it is a cornerstone of Californiaโs evangelization history. The annual return of the swallows around Saint Josephโs feast (March 19) has become a beloved local traditionโa beautiful reminder of Godโs providence.
Colorado
The Chapel of Saint Catherine of Siena // This โChapel on the Rockโ offers panoramic views of forests, peaks, and wildlifeโespecially stunning during sunrise or snowfall. In 1993, Pope John Paul II retreated to the site, a part of Camp Saint Malo, for personal prayer and hiking. The trail nearby has been renamed in his honor and his walking stick can be found at Saint Williamโs Lodge on the property.
Mother Cabrini Shrine // The shrine offers a powerful encounter with the perseverance of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American Saint and patron of immigrants. Pilgrims' favorite experiences include visiting the miraculous spring (discovered at the Saintโs direction) and climbing the 373 steps to the Sacred Heart statue. The shrine is a reminder that faith can move mountainsโand draw water from rock.
Hawaii
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace // Built using coral blocks harvested by native Hawaiians, the cathedral is the final resting place of Saint Marianne Cope and Saint Damien of Molokai, both renowned for their compassionate work with those afflicted by leprosy in Kalaupapa.
Idaho
The Mission of the Sacred Heart // As Idahoโs oldest building, it stands not only as a historical landmark but also as a testament to shared faith and cultural exchange. The mission was built collaboratively by the Coeur dโAlene Tribe and Jesuit missionaries using only local materials and traditional methods.
Montana
The Cathedral of St. Helena // The cathedral embodies the legacy and devotion of Saint Helena, who was once a pilgrim herself. Its neo-Gothic architecture features 230-foot spires and fifty-nine exquisite stained glass windows which depict biblical scenes from Genesis to the Gospels and significant Catholic historical scenes up to the early twentieth-century Church.
Nevada
Guardian Angel Cathedral // A spiritual oasis on the Las Vegas Strip, Guardian Angel Cathedral opened in 1963, but has its roots in the 1950s, when priests of Saint Viator offered early Masses in hotels and casinos for tourists and workers. The cathedralโs striking A-frame structure features a vivid mosaic of a guardian angel and stained glass windows illustrating the Stations of the Cross with nods to Las Vegas culture.
New Mexico
The Loretto Chapel // The chapel offers a unique blend of legend, faith, and artistic devotion, as it houses one of the most mysterious architectural marvels in American Catholic history: a spiral staircase built without nails or a central support column, crafted by a mysterious carpenter who appeared after the Sisters prayed a novena to Saint Josephโand vanished without accepting payment after completing the work. Though now operated as a private museum, it remains an awe-inspiring testament to the possibility of Heavenโs help in our lives.
Oregon
Mount Angel Abbey // Rooted in Benedictine tradition, the monksโ rhythm of work and prayer invites visitors into a deeper spiritual rhythm of their own. The Abbey church, library, and peaceful hilltop setting create an atmosphere of awe and contemplation. Pilgrims can join the monks for Mass and Liturgy of the Hours, or retreat in silence on the grounds. Visitors can further help support the monks by patronizing their tap room for a taste of their craft brews.
Utah
The Cathedral of the Madeleine // The only U.S. Cathedral to be named for the Apostle to the Apostles, its interior features rich jewel tones, intricate stenciling, and gilded accents, creating a sense of sacred drama. It stands as a powerful symbol of Catholic faith in a predominantly non-Catholic region, and hosts one of the nationโs premier sacred music programs, including a renowned choir school, enriching the liturgy with Gregorian chant and choral masterpieces.
Washington
St. Peter Catholic Mission // This small, white church stands as a symbol of the unity between the Catholic Church and the Suquamish Tribe. In the graveyard beside the structure lie the bodies of many Catholic tribe members, including Chief Seattle who was baptized late in his life. Saint Olaf parish (which runs the mission) and the Suquamish people maintain a good relationship as they collaborate for the yearly celebration, Chief Seattle Days, which includes ceremonies at his gravesite among many other festivities.
Wyoming
Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary // Perched amid Rocky Mountain peaks, this order may be most well-known for its manner of supporting itself: Mystic Monk Coffee. As a cloistered, contemplative order, the Carmelite Monks maintain a degree of seclusion within their monastery and thus do not allow the public to see or tour their roasting facilities. However, visitors may attend limited public liturgical services, such as the Mass celebrated in Latin and according to their traditional Carmelite Rite. Expansion plans are in the works to allow the monastery to welcome more visitors in the future.
Make Every Trip a Sacred One
Every tripโwhether for business, vacation, or a weekend getawayโholds the potential for pilgrimage if we bring intentionality and prayer. God places sacred spaces all around us, often in unexpected places. Before your next trip, take a moment to look up a nearby church, shrine, or chapel. Add it to your itineraryโnot as an afterthought, but as a destination. With a little research and a heart open to grace, any journey can become a holy one. Pilgrimage is not about the destination but the desire to meet God along the way.
More Pilgrimage Sites in the U.S.
Part one of our series includes pilgrimage sites in theย southern region of the country, part two takes us to theย northeast corner, and part three explores the midwest.
Grace Bellon is a wife, mom, and high school theology teacher who has spent years walking with young people as they wrestle with faith, identity, and the ache for something more. She writes from the heart of a classroom, the hustle of family life, and the quiet corners where the Lord speaks most tenderly. She believes in miracles, mercy, and the delicate art of balancing home-cooked meals with takeout nights. Her sweetest joys are found in the company of one man who keeps her coffee cup full, her children who keep her laundry baskets fuller, and the Eucharist which fills her heart and soul.ย
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