National shrine


A national shrine is a Catholic church or other sacred place which has met certain requirements and is given this honor by the national episcopal conference to recognize the church's special cultural, historical, and religious significance.

Process

For a church to receive the status of a national shrine involves a number of steps and certifications. It must first be designated as a diocesan shrine, an honor conferred by the local bishop or archbishop. To be designated as a shrine, the subject church must be a place "to which numerous members of the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety." It must exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation, and social services. When these requirements are met, the parish petitions the bishop to canonically elevate the church.
When devotion has grown, the diocesan shrine may petition the national Conference of Catholic Bishops. Evaluation by the nation's bishops involves considerations including canon law, liturgy, and doctrine.
Declaration of an international shrine is conferred by the Holy See similar to basilicas.

International shrines

National shrines listed by country

There are 230 national shrines in the world, as well as eleven international shrines.

Africa

There are four national shrines in Africa.

Democratic Republic of Congo

  1. National Shine of Blessed Marie-Cleméntine Anuarite, Isiro

Kenya

  1. National Shrine of Our Lady of Africa, Village of Mary Mother of God, Subukia

Nigeria

  1. National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Ugwogwo-Nike

Uganda

  1. Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo

Asia

There are 46 national shrines in Asia.

China

  1. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians, Sheshan

East Timor

  1. National Shrine of , Soibada

India

  1. National Shrine Cathedral Basilica of Saint Thomas, Chennai
  2. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam
  3. Saint Thomas Mount National Shrine, Chennai

Japan

  1. National Shrine of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan, Nagasaki

Lebanon

  1. Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, Harissa

Pakistan

  1. National Marian Shrine, Mariamabad

South Korea

  1. at Jeoldu-san, Seoul

Sri Lanka

  1. National Shrine of the Holy Cross, Marawila
  2. Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Tewatta, Colombo
  3. Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, Madhu
  4. National Shrine of St. Anne, Kalpitiya
  5. National Shrine of St. Anne, Kattimahana, Udubaddawa
  6. St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade, Colombo

Taiwan

  1. Wanchin Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Wanluan
  2. National Shrine of Our Lady of China, Meishan, Chiayi

Vietnam

  1. Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang, La Vang

Europe

There are eight international shrines and 37 national shrines in Europe.

Albania

  1. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Shkodra

Austria

  1. Basilica of the Birth of Mary, Mariazell

Belarus

  1. Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Budslau

Belgium

  1. Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Koekelberg

Bulgaria

  1. , Plovdiv

Croatia

  1. Basilica of , Marija Bistrica
  2. National Shrine of Saint Joseph, Karlovac
  3. of Saint Nicolas Tavelic, Šibenik

Czechia

  1. Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert, Prague

France

  1. Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Lourdes
  2. , Nice
  3. Our Lady of Reims Cathedral, Reims

Germany

  1. National Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting, Altötting

Hungary

  1. , Máriapócs

Ireland

  1. National Shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett, Drogheda

Italy

  1. National Shrine of Mary Mother and Queen, Contovello

Malta

  1. Ta' Pinu Shrine, Għarb

Poland

  1. Archcathedral Basilica of Bishop Saint Stanislaus and Martyr and Saint Wenceslaus, Kraków
  2. Jasna Góra Shrine Basilica of the Black Madonna, Częstochowa
  3. Basilica of the Immaculate Omni-mediatress of All Glories of Niepokalanów, Teresin
  4. Sanctuary of Saint Jadwiga, Trzebnica
  5. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Zakopane - Krzeptówki

Portugal

  1. National Shrine of Christ the King, Almada
  2. , Vila Viçosa

Slovakia

  1. , Šaštín

Slovenia

  1. , Brezje

Spain

  1. Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, Madrid
  2. Montserrat Abbey|Basilica of Mary of God of Montserrat], Montserrat
  3. , Valladolid

United Kingdom

England
  1. National Shrine & Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham, Little Walsingham
  2. National Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, London
  3. National Shrine of Saint Jude, Faversham
  4. National Shrine to St Joseph (Saint Michael's Abbey), Farnborough
    Scotland
  5. St Mary's Cathedral, [Edinburgh (Catholic)|Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption], Edinburgh
  6. National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Carfin
    Wales
  7. Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper, Cardigan
  8. St Winefride's Well, Holywell
    Gibraltar
  9. National Shrine of Our Lady of Europe

North America

There are 101 national shrines in North America.

Canada

Source:
  1. Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
  2. National Shrine of Canadian Martyrs, Midland
  3. Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap, Cap-de-la-Madeleine
  4. Saint Anthony's Hermitage, Lac-Bouchette
#
  1. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal

Caribbean

Cuba
  1. National Shrine of Jesus of Nazareth of Ransom, Havana
  2. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, El Cobre
  3. National Shrine of Saint Barbara, Havana
  4. Our Lady of Regla National Shrine, Havana
  5. Saint Lazarus National Shrine, Havana
    Dominican Republic
  6. Our Lady of La Altagracia Cathedral Basilica, Higüey
  7. Our Lady of Mercies National Shrine, La Vega
  8. Holy Christ of Miracles National Shrine, Santo Domingo
    Haiti
  9. National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Port-au-Prince

Central America

Costa Rica
  1. Holy Christ of Esquipulas National Shrine, San José
  2. Holy Christ of Esquipulas Shrine, Santa Cruz
    El Salvador
  3. Queen of Peace Basilica Cathedral, San Miguel
    Guatemala
  4. Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Guatemala City
  5. Iglesia de [San Francisco, Antigua Guatemala|Church of Saint Francis the Great], Guatemala City
  6. Basilica of the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Esquipulas
    Honduras
  7. Basilica of Our Lady of Suyapa, Tegucigalpa
    Nicaragua
  8. National Shrine of Our Lady of Cuapa, Cuapa
  9. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, El Viejo
    Panama
  10. National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Panama City

Mexico

  1. Distinguished and National Basilica of Saint Mary of Guadalupe, Mexico City
  2. Old Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City

United States

There are 72 national shrines in the United States.
Alaska
  1. National Shrine of Saint Thérèse, Juneau
    California
  2. National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacramento
  3. National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, San Francisco
  4. San Juan Capistrano|Mission Basilica and National Shrine of Saint John of Capestrano], San Juan Capistrano
    District of Columbia
  5. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
  6. Saint John Paul II National Shrine, Washington, D.C.
  7. Ukrainian National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, D.C.
    Florida
  8. Hermitage of Charity of El Cobre, Miami
  9. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe, Orlando
  10. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, St. Augustine
    Illinois
  11. National Shrine of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe, Lombard
  12. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville
  13. National Shrine of Saint Ann, Chicago
  14. National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago
  15. National Shrine of Saint Jude, Chicago
  16. National Shrine of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Libertyville
  17. National Shrine of Saint Peregrine, Chicago
  18. National Shrine of Saint Therese, Darien
  19. National Shrine of the Poor Souls, Berwyn
    Indiana
  20. National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
    Louisiana
  21. National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, New Orleans
  22. National Shrine of Saint Ann, Metairie
  23. National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans
    Maryland
  24. National Shrine Basilica of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg
  25. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore
  26. National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Emmitsburg
  27. National Shrine of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Baltimore
    Massachusetts
  28. Madonna Queen of the Universe National Shrine, Boston
  29. National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Stockbridge
  30. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro
    Michigan
  31. National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, Indian River
  32. National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
    Minnesota
  33. National Shrine of Saint Odilia, Onamia
  34. Saint Paul (Minnesota)|National Shrine Cathedral of the Apostle Paul], Saint Paul
    Missouri
  35. , Laurie
  36. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Perryville
    New Jersey
  37. National Shrine of Jesus of Great Power, Newark
  38. National Shrine of Our Lady of the Highway, Little Falls
  39. National Shrine of Saint Gerard, Newark
    New York
  40. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, Lewiston
  41. National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Stony Point
  42. National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville
  43. National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middletown
  44. National Shrine of Saint Gennaro, New York City
  45. National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Fonda
  46. National Shrine of Saint Vincent Ferrer, New York City
  47. National Shrine of the Little Flower of Jesus, Buffalo
  48. Our Lady of Victory Basilica and National Shrine, Lackawanna
  49. Saint Ann's Armenian Shrine Cathedral, Brooklyn
    Ohio
  50. Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey
  51. Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (North Jackson, Ohio)|Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon], North Jackson
  52. National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Euclid
  53. National Shrine of Saint Anthony, Cincinnati
  54. National Shrine of Saint Dymphna, Massillon
  55. National Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein
    Oklahoma
  56. National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Prague
    Oregon
  57. National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, Portland
    Pennsylvania
  58. National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mother of the Americas, Allentown
  59. National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown
  60. Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann, Scranton
  61. National Shrine of Saint John Neumann, Philadelphia
  62. National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia
    Puerto Rico
  63. Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, San Juan Antiguo
  64. National Shrine of Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence, Cupey
    Tennessee
  65. National Shrine of Saint Martin de Porres, Memphis
    Texas
  66. Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, San Juan
  67. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, San Antonio
    Virginia
  68. National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Williamsburg
    Wisconsin
  69. Basilica and National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at the Holy Hill, Hubertus
  70. National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion
  71. National Shrine of Saint Joseph, De Pere

Oceania

There are five national shrines in Oceania.

Australia

  1. , Middle Park, Victoria
  2. National Shrine of Saint Anthony, Hawthorn, Victoria
  3. National Shrine of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Kew, Victoria
  4. Saint Mary's Cathedral, Sydney

New Zealand

  1. St Mary of the Angels, Wellington

South America

There are 35 national shrines in South America.

Argentina

  1. National Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires
  2. , Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires
  3. , Buenos Aires

Brazil

  1. National Shrine Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady Aparecida, Aparecida
  2. , Rio de Janeiro
  3. , Anchieta, Espírito Santo
  4. National Shrine of the Holy Head, Cachoeira Paulista
  5. National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Itu, São Paulo
  6. , Rio de Janeiro

Chile

  1. National Sanctuary of Maipú, Maipú, Santiago

Colombia

  1. , Bogotá
  2. , Chiquinquirá
  3. National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Las Lajas, Las Lajas

Ecuador

  1. , La Magdalena
  2. , El Cisne
  3. , La Paz
  4. , El Quinche
  5. , Guayaquil
  6. Basílica del Voto Nacional a.k.a. Sacred Heart of Jesus Patron of Ecuador Basilica, Quito
  7. , Nobol

Paraguay

  1. , Asunción
  2. , Asunción
  3. Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles, Caacupé

Peru

  1. Saint Peter's Basilica, Lima
  2. National Shrine of St. Rosa of Lima, Lima

Trinidad and Tobago

  1. National Shrine of Our Lady of Laventille, Port of Spain
  2. Shrine of the Rosary, Port of Spain

Uruguay

  1. San José de Mayo|Basilica Cathedral and National Shrine of San José de Mayo], San José de Mayo
  2. , Montevideo
  3. , Montevideo
  4. National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Montevideo
  5. National Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three at the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Luján, Florida

Venezuela

  1. Our Lady of Coromoto Cathedral Basilica, Guanare
  2. Our Lady of Coromoto National Shrine Basilica, San Genaro de Boconoíto
  3. Shrine Basilica of Santa Capilla, Caracas