ITALY
http://www.romagiubileo.it/assisi
Three million people of all faiths and backgrounds visit the world-famous Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi each year. In the crypt of the basilica lies the tomb of the great saint. Nearby is the Basilica of St. Clare, which houses the body of that great saint.
http://www.nd-la-salette.com
The shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, where the Virgin Mary appeared to two small children – Melanie and Maximin – in 1846 and spoke about the loss of religion in the area, the profanation of her Son’s name, and the desecration of the Sabbath. Located at the very pinnacle of the Alps, the sanctuary provides a spectacular setting for contemplative prayer and retreats.
http://www.lourdes-france.com
Every year six million pilgrims from around the world visit the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette eighteen times in 1858. On March 25 of that year, the Virgin confirmed her title to the world as she raised her eyes to heaven and said, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” You can email your petitions to the grotto from this website.
http://www.solesmes.com
In the countryside of western France lie the renowned Abbeys of St. Peter and St. Cecilia (in Solesmes), which flourish today as worldwide centers of Gregorian chant spirituality and performance. Since the early 1800s, they have served as leaders in the liturgical renewal and restoration of Gregorian Chant, while also influencing and founding numerous other monasteries throughout Europe and other parts of the world.
http://www.cmns.mnegri.it/en/other_services/miracolo_eucaristico/welcome.html
Although this lengthy domain name seems to almost be a mistake, it is not, and in fact the website is very much worth visiting. It features the story of the world famous Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, which pilgrims can pray before at the shrine, just as His Holiness Pope John Paul II did as a cardinal.
http://www.santuarioloreto.it
One of the most beloved shrines of the Catholic Church, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto features the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is said to have been transported from Nazareth to Croatia, and finally to Loreto in 1294. The home now lies in the Basilica of the Holy House, which pilgrims can enter and spend time in prayer.
POLAND
http://www.jasnagora.pl
Attracting more than five million pilgrims every year, Our Lady of Czestochowa is recognized as one of the mot visited places of Christian pilgrimage in the world. According to one tradition, Saint Luke the Evangelist painted the world-famous image of Our Lady of Czestochowa on a table made by Jesus Himself. The portrait has been the subject of numerous miracles throughout the centuries and today serves as one of Pope John Paul II’s most favored objects of devotion.
http://www.sanktuarium.krakow.pl/english/e_index.html
Between 1931 and 1938 Our Lord appeared to Saint Faustina, a Sister of Mercy in Poland, entrusting her with the mission of spreading devotion to the Divine Mercy. Today, this devotion has since become one of the most popular forms of Catholic piety. Visitors can pray before the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus and the young visionary’s relics at the shrine.
Home Alone (1990)
This is the first of its kind — a family comedy without the family. Off on a Christmas vacation in Paris, a large Chicago family accidentally leaves behind their timid eight year-old who quickly becomes an expert at defending their home against a persistent pair of hapless burglars. Young Macaulay Culkin steals the show, but Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are terrific as the pratfalling bad guys. Very engaging, fast-paced comedy that delivers a lot of laughs and a heartwarming family message. (Rated G — children and families)
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St. Peter's: A Guided Visit To The Vatican Basilica
ENGLAND
http://www.carmelite.org/aylesford
Aylesford is home to a community of Carmelite friars. It is the place where the Virgin Mary appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel to St. Simon Stock in 1251, and presented the Brown Scapular to the world. Along with the rosary and the Miraculous Medal, the scapular is one of the chief Marian sacramentals.
http://www.santaritadacascia.com
A renowned place of pilgrimage in Italy, the shrine features both the incorrupt body of St. Rita of Cascia and a Eucharistic Miracle dating from 1330.
http://www.gargano.it/sanmichele
One of the most celebrated shrines throughout all of Christendom, the shrine is home to the cave in which St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492, and 1656. Many saints and popes over the years have traveled here to pray.
http://www.vatican.va
No pilgrimage would be complete without a stop at the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Here is the official website to the Vatican.
Discussion Forum
What are your picks for the best movies of all time?
http://www.knock-shrine.ie
In 1979, Pope John Paul II visited the shrine of Our Lady of Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist in 1879 to fifteen villagers, to commemorate the centennial of the apparition. Mother Teresa visited in 1993.
The Quiet Man (1952)
Perhaps my favorite movie of all time, this John Ford-John Wayne classic is the consummate celebration of perfectly accurate Irish stereotypes. Everything from the Irish people’s legendary thirst to their obsession with money to their fondness for a good fistfight is portrayed in stunning detail and good humor (don’t challenge me on this — I know what I’m talking about). But The Quiet Man is more than just a great Paddy’s Day film showcasing the brilliance of all things Irish and Irish-American. Its universal appeal lies in the moving, old-fashioned romance between Wayne and co-star Maureen O’Hara, who forces her retired boxer husband to face his demons and confront her outrageously belligerent brother over the question of her dowry. Victor McLaglen is unforgettable as the brother, “Red” Will Danaher, self-proclaimed “best man in Inisfree” who stands uncowed and unmoving, drink-in-hand, between Wayne and his dream of a wife, children and cottage in the Irish countryside. (Un-rated — adults and children)
PORTUGAL
http://www.santuario-fatima.pt
Without a doubt, one of the most famous places of pilgrimage is the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. It was here that the Virgin Mary appeared to three young children, Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco, in 1917. Recently, the “third secret” of Fatima was revealed, which is said to have foretold the assassination-attempt of Pope John Paul II.
SPAIN
http://www.abadiamontserrat.net
The eleventh-century sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat lies at the top of a four-thousand-foot mountain. A place of pilgrimage for centuries, the shrine and monastery is home to a twelfth-century miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which lies in the Santa Cova (Holy Cave).
SWITZERLAND
http://www.kath.ch/einsiedeln
One of the oldest and most famous places of pilgrimage in Europe, Our Lady of Einsiedeln shrine is home to both a Benedictine monastery and a miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
http://www.saint-bernard.ch
For more than nine hundred years, the Great St. Bernard Hospice has been faithful to its commitment to provide food, relief, and shelter for all travelers at the top of the Alps. Interestingly enough, it is here where the St. Bernard dog was born and bred.
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Statue of the Holy Family
Statue of the Infant of Prague
Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Discussion Forum
Have you ever had a profound spiritual experience at one of the sites described above?
