Saints & Martyrs
of America
Pilgrimage
The Pilgrimage will include a focus on the Saints and Martyrs that have been present in America and/or are from America. We will be making several stops at holy sites throughout Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Here are a few of the planned locations:
The Cathedral of St. Mary, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is an important symbol of the endurance of the Catholic faith for Wyoming. Nearly 5,000 people thronged to lay the cornerstone of the Cathedral on July 7, 1907 with Governor Brooks saying, “Upon this cornerstone will be a grand Cathedral.” The Cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Maurice F. Burke (first bishop of Cheyenne) and Bishop John P. Carroll of Helena on January 31, 1909. Make sure to take note of the Cathedral organ and the stained-glass windows during your visit!
For more information about the Cathedral of St. Mary visit:
https://www.stmarycathedral.com
The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, located in Denver, Colorado, is the Cathedral for the Archdiocese of Denver. Ground was broken in 1902, though there was a halt in construction due to questionable investments made. In 1905, construction continued with the cornerstone being laid in 1906. The twin 210-foot spires were capped in 1911, but in 1912 a bolt of lightning struck the west tower and knocked off the top twenty-five feet. The spire was repaired and on October 27, 1912, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was dedicated, in 1921 it was consecrated and on December 25, 1979, it was elevated to a minor basilica. On August 13 and 14, 1993, Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass at the Cathedral as part of the World Youth Day celebration.
For more information about the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception visit:
https://www.denvercathedral.org/
The Stations of the Cross Shrine are bronze statues located along a trail leading to the La Capilla de Todos Los Santos (The Chapel of All Saints), atop a mesa in Colorado’s oldest town – San Luis, Colorado. The Shrine was built as an act of faith and love, giving a place for prayer and solace that is open to members of all faiths.
Continuing past the shrine, there is a memorial area named “Memorial to the Spanish Martyrs.” This area pays tribute to past Spanish priests who fought and died in the name of Christianity.
For more information about the Stations of the Cross Shrine visit:
El Santuario de Chimayo is located about 40 minutes outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico in the small town of Chimayo. Over 300,000 visitors come each year for what has been called the “Lourdes of America” for it’s “holy dirt.” Many believe that this is the most significant Catholic pilgrimage site in the country and make the pilgrimage year after year. As you approach this site, you may see many people making the pilgrimage on foot.
For more information on El Santuario de Chimayo visit:
Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Mother Cabrini Shrine is dedicated to Saint Frances Cabrini, the first American saint (though born in Italy) who was canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 7,1946. Frances founded the Institue of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, wanting to go to China. However, Pope Leo XIII told Frances to go “not to the East, but to the West” to New York. She was relentless in helping to organize catechism and education classes for Italian immigrants and providing for the needs of orphans, establishing schools and orphanages. This led her to Golden, Colorado where she fell in love with the mountains and started a summer camp for her charges at the Queen of Heaven Orphanage in Denver. This is the site of the Shrine today.
For more information about the Mother Cabrini Shrine visit:
