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 (or archdiocesan) 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 (arch)bishop to canonically elevate the church.
When devotion has grown, the (arch)diocesan shrine may petition the national Conference of Catholic Bishops. Evaluation by the nation's (arch)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
- Basilica of the Assumption, Aglona, Latvia
- Basilica della Santa Casa, Loreto, Italy
- Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua (Basilica Pontificia di Sant'Antonio di Padova), Padua, Italy
- Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (Fátima), Fátima, Portugal
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, Knock, Ireland
- Sanctuary Shrine of Divine Mercy, Kraków, Poland
- International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo, Philippines
- Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Stary Wielisław, Poland
- St. Thomas International Shrine Malayattoor Kurishumudi, Malayattoor, India
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Lourdes), Lourdes, France
- Seoul Catholic Pilgrimage Route [fr], recognized on 14 September 2018
- International Shrine of Haemi Martyrs [fr; ko], Seosan, South Korea; recognized on 29 November 2020
- International Sanctuary of Jesus the Saviour and Mother Mary, Elele, Nigeria
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
- National Shine of Blessed Marie-Cleméntine Anuarite (Sanctuaire National Bienheureuse Anuarite), Isiro
Kenya
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Africa, Village of Mary Mother of God, Subukia
Nigeria
- National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Ugwogwo-Nike (Enugu)
Uganda
Asia
There are 46 national shrines in Asia.
China
East Timor
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Aitara [de] (Santuario Nacional Nossa Senhora de Aitara), Soibada
India
- National Shrine Cathedral Basilica of Saint Thomas, Chennai
- National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam
- Saint Thomas Mount National Shrine, Chennai
Japan
Lebanon
- Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (مزار سيدة لبنان; Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Liban), Harissa
Pakistan
- National Marian Shrine, Mariamabad
Philippines
- Luzon
- International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo
- Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga
- Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Quezon City
- Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo
- Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, Manila
- Minor Basilica and National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, Gapan
- National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Parañaque
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Makati
- National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Silang
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Dolores
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Manila
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila, Quezon City
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Muntinlupa
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation of Guibang, Gamu
- National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Parañaque
- National Shrine of Saint Anne, Hagonoy
- National Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua, Pila
- National Shrine of Saint Jude, Manila
- National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels, Manila
- National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, Santo Tomas
- National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Marilao
- National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Makati
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Salambao, Obando
- National Shrine and Parish of St. John Paul II, Bataan
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Novaliches
- Visayas
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles (Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary), Iloilo
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rule [es], Lapu-Lapu
- National Shrine of Saint Joseph, Mandaue
- National Shrine and Cathedral Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Maasin
South Korea
- National Shrine of Korean Martyrs [de; fr; ko; zh] at Jeoldu-san, Seoul
Sri Lanka
- National Shrine of the Holy Cross, Marawila
- Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Tewatta, Colombo
- Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, Madhu
- National Shrine of St. Anne, Kalpitiya
- National Shrine of St. Anne, Kattimahana, Udubaddawa
- St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade, Colombo
Taiwan
- Wanchin Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Wanluan
- National Shrine of Our Lady of China, Meishan, Chiayi
Vietnam
- Basilica of Our Lady of La Vang (Ðền thơ Đức Mẹ La Vang), La Vang
Europe
There are eight international shrines (listed above) and 37 national shrines in Europe.
Albania
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Shenjtërorja e Zojës së Shkodrës), Shkodra
Austria
- Basilica of the Birth of Mary (Basilika Mariä Geburt), Mariazell
Belarus
Belgium
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique Nationale du Sacré-Cœur), Koekelberg
Bulgaria
Croatia
- Basilica of Our Lady of Bistrica [hr] (Bazilika Majke Božje Bistričke), Marija Bistrica
- National Shrine of Saint Joseph (Nacionalno Svetište sv. Josipa), Karlovac
- National Shrine [hr] of Saint Nicolas Tavelic (Nacionalno svetište sv. Nikole Tavelića), Šibenik
Czech Republic
- Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert (Katedrála sv. Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha), Prague
France
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception), Lourdes
- Our Lady Help of Christians Church [de; fr; nl; pl] (Sanctuaire national Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice), Nice
- Our Lady of Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims), Reims
Germany
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting (Gnadenkapelle Altötting), Altötting
Hungary
- Greek Catholic Basilica of Máriapócs [de; eo; hu; ro] (Görög Katolikus Máriapócs Nemzeti Kegytemplom), Máriapócs
Ireland
Italy
- National Shrine of Mary Mother and Queen, Contovello
Malta
Poland
- Archcathedral Basilica of Bishop Saint Stanislaus and Martyr and Saint Wenceslaus (Bazylika Archikatedralna św. Stanisława Biskupa i męczennika i św. Wacława), Kraków
- Jasna Góra Shrine Basilica of the Black Madonna (Bazylika Jasnogórska Wniebowzięcia NMP), Częstochowa
- Basilica of the Immaculate Omni-mediatress of All Glories of Niepokalanów (Bazylika NMP Niepokalanej Wszechpośredniczki Łask w Niepokalanowie), Teresin
- Sanctuary of Saint Jadwiga, Trzebnica
Portugal
- National Shrine of Christ the King (Santuário Nacional de Cristo Rei), Almada
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception [pt] (Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora da Conceição), Vila Viçosa
Slovakia
- Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary [cs; de; it; sk; vi] (Bazilika Sedembolestnej Panny Márie), Šaštín
Slovenia
Spain
- Royal Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, Madrid
- Basilica of Mary of God of Montserrat (Basílica de la Mare de Déu de Montserrat), Montserrat
- National Shrine of the Great Promise [de; es] (Santuario Nacional de la Gran Promesa), Valladolid
United Kingdom
England
- National Shrine & Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham, Little Walsingham
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, London
- National Shrine of Saint Jude, Faversham
- National Shrine to St Joseph (Saint Michael's Abbey), Farnborough
Scotland
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Edinburgh
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Carfin
Wales
Gibraltar
North America
There are 101 national shrines in North America.
Canada
- Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (Basilique Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré), Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
- National Shrine of Canadian Martyrs, Midland
- Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap (Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Cap), Cap-de-la-Madeleine
- Saint Anthony's Hermitage (Ermitage Saint-Antoine), Lac-Bouchette
- The Bishop Velychkovsky Martyr's Shrine, Winnipeg
- Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal), Montreal
Caribbean
Cuba
- National Shrine of Jesus of Nazareth of Ransom (Santuario Nacional de Jesús Nazareno del Rescate), Havana
- National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre (Basílica Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre), El Cobre
- National Shrine of Saint Barbara (Santuario Nacional de Santa Bárbara), Havana
- Our Lady of Regla National Shrine (Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora de Regla), Havana
- Saint Lazarus National Shrine (Santuario Nacional San Lázaro), Havana
Dominican Republic
- Our Lady of La Altagracia Cathedral Basilica (Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia), Higüey
- Our Lady of Mercies National Shrine (Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes), La Vega
- Holy Christ of Miracles National Shrine (Santuario Nacional Santo Cristo de los Milagros), Santo Domingo
Haiti
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Sanctuaire Nationale de Notre-Dame du Perpetuel Secours), Port-au-Prince
Central America
Costa Rica
- Holy Christ of Esquipulas National Shrine (Santuario Nacional Santo Cristo de Esquipulas), San José
- Holy Christ of Esquipulas Shrine (Santuario Santo Cristo de Esquipulas), Santa Cruz
El Salvador
- Queen of Peace Basilica Cathedral (Catedral Basílica Reina de la Paz), San Miguel
Guatemala
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario), Guatemala City
- Church of Saint Francis the Great (Iglesia de San Francisco el Grande), Guatemala City
- Basilica of the Black Christ of Esquipulas (Basílica del Cristo Negro de Esquipulas), Esquipulas
Honduras
- Basilica of Our Lady of Suyapa (Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Suyapa), Tegucigalpa
Nicaragua
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Cuapa (Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora de Cuapa), Cuapa
- National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Santuario Nacional Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción), El Viejo
Panama
- National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Santuario Nacional del Corazón de María), Panama City
Mexico
- Distinguished and National Basilica of Saint Mary of Guadalupe (Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe), Mexico City
- Old Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Antigua Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), Mexico City
United States
There are 72 national shrines in the United States.
Alaska
California
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), Sacramento
- National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, San Francisco
- Mission Basilica and National Shrine of Saint John of Capestrano (Misión Basílica San Juan Capistrano), San Juan Capistrano
District of Columbia
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción), Washington, D.C.
- Saint John Paul II National Shrine, Washington, D.C.
- Ukrainian National Shrine of the Holy Family, Washington, D.C.
Florida
- Hermitage of Charity of El Cobre (Ermita de la Caridad del Cobre), Miami
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe, Orlando
- National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, St. Augustine
Illinois
- National Shrine of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe, Lombard
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville
- National Shrine of Saint Ann, Chicago
- National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago
- National Shrine of Saint Jude, Chicago
- National Shrine of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Libertyville
- National Shrine of Saint Peregrine (Our Lady of Sorrow Basilica), Chicago
- National Shrine of Saint Thérèse, Darien
- National Shrine of the Poor Souls, Berwyn
Indiana
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Louisiana
- National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, New Orleans
- National Shrine of Saint Ann, Metairie
- National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans
Maryland
- National Shrine Basilica of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Emmitsburg
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore
- National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Emmitsburg
- National Shrine of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Baltimore
Massachusetts
- Madonna Queen of the Universe National Shrine, Boston
- National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, Stockbridge
- National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro
Michigan
- National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, Indian River
- National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
Minnesota
- National Shrine of Saint Odilia, Onamia
- National Shrine Cathedral of the Apostle Paul, Saint Paul
Missouri
- National Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church, Laurie
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Perryville
New Jersey
- National Shrine of Jesus of Great Power (Santuario Nacional de Jesús del Gran Poder), Newark
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Highway, Little Falls
- National Shrine of Saint Gerard, Newark
New York
- National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, Lewiston
- National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Stony Point
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middletown
- National Shrine of Saint Gennaro, New York City
- National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Fonda
- National Shrine of Saint Vincent Ferrer, New York City
- National Shrine of the Little Flower of Jesus, Buffalo
- Our Lady of Victory Basilica and National Shrine, Lackawanna
- Saint Ann's Armenian Shrine Cathedral, Brooklyn
Ohio
- Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey
- Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, North Jackson
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Euclid
- National Shrine of Saint Anthony, Cincinnati
- National Shrine of Saint Dymphna, Massillon
- National Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein
Oklahoma
- National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Prague
Oregon
Pennsylvania
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mother of the Americas, Allentown
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Ann, Scranton
- National Shrine of Saint John Neumann, Philadelphia
- National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia
Puerto Rico
- Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist (Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista), San Juan Antiguo
- National Shrine of Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora Madre de la Divina Providencia), Cupey
Tennessee
- National Shrine of Saint Martin de Porres, Memphis
Texas
- Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, San Juan
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, San Antonio
Virginia
Wisconsin
- Basilica of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill, Hubertus
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion
- National Shrine of Saint Joseph, De Pere
Oceania
There are five national shrines in Oceania.
Australia
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel [fr], Middle Park, Victoria
- National Shrine of Saint Anthony, Hawthorn, Victoria
- National Shrine of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Kew, Victoria
- Saint Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
New Zealand
South America
There are 35 national shrines in South America.
Argentina
- National Basilica of Our Lady of Luján (Basílica Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Luján), Luján, Buenos Aires
- National Shrine of Schoenstatt [fr] (Santuario Nacional de Schoenstatt), Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires
- Basilica of Saint Rose of Lima [de; es; fr; zh] (Basílica Santuario de Santa Rosa de Lima), Buenos Aires
Brazil
- National Shrine Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception Revealed (Catedral Basílica Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida), Aparecida
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto [fr] (Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora de Loreto ), Rio de Janeiro
- National Shrine of Saint Joseph of Anchieta [es; fr; pt] (Santuário Nacional do São José de Anchieta), Anchieta, Espírito Santo
- National Shrine of the Holy Head (Santuário Nacional de Santa Cabeça), Cachoeira Paulista
- National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Santuário Nacional do Sagrado Coração de Jesus), Itu, São Paulo
- Basilica of Our Lady of Penha [de; fr; pt] (Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Penha), Rio de Janeiro
Chile
- National Sanctuary of Maipú (Santuario Nacional or Templo Votivo de Maipú), Maipú, Santiago
Colombia
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel [es; fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora del Carmen), Bogotá
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá [de; es; fr; pl] (Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá), Chiquinquirá
- National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Las Lajas (Basílica Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Las Lajas), Las Lajas
Ecuador
- National Shrine of Our Lady Mary Nativity of El Guayco [fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora María Natividad del Guayco), La Magdalena
- National Shrine of Our Lady of El Cisne [de; es; fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora del Cisne), El Cisne
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Grotto of La Paz [fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Gruta de La Paz), La Paz
- National Shrine of Our Lady of the Presentation of El Quinche [de; fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Presentación del Quinche), El Quinche
- Divine Mercy Sanctuary [es; fr] (Santuario Nacional de la Divina Misericordia), Guayaquil
- Basílica del Voto Nacional a.k.a. Sacred Heart of Jesus Patron of Ecuador Basilica (Basílica Sagrado Corazón de Jésus, Patrono del Ecuador), Quito
- Saint Narcisa de Jesús National Shrine [fr] (Santuario Nacional Santa Narcisa de Jesús), Nobol
Paraguay
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help [fr] (Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro), Asunción
- National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Asunción) [fr] (Santuario Nacional del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús), Asunción
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles (Catedral Basílica Nuestra Señora de los Milagros), Caacupé
Peru
- Saint Peter's Basilica (Basílica San Pedro), Lima
- National Shrine of St. Rosa of Lima (Santuario de Santa Rosa de Lima), Lima
Trinidad and Tobago
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Laventille, Port of Spain
- Shrine of the Rosary, Port of Spain
Uruguay
- Basilica Cathedral and National Shrine of San José de Mayo (Catedral Basílica de San José de Mayo), San José de Mayo
- National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians [es; fr] (Santuario Nacional María Auxiliadora), Montevideo
- National Shrine of the Grotto of Lourdes [fr] (Santuario Nacional de la Gruta de Lourdes), Montevideo
- National Shrine of the Sacred Heart (Santuario Nacional del Sagrado Corazón), Montevideo
- National Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three at the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Luján (Santuario Nacional de la Virgen de los Treinta y Tres), Florida
Venezuela
- Our Lady of Coromoto Cathedral Basilica (Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de Coromoto), Guanare
- Our Lady of Coromoto National Shrine Basilica (Basílica Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora de Coromoto), San Genaro de Boconoíto
- Shrine Basilica of Santa Capilla (Basílica Santuario de Santa Capilla), Caracas
References
- ^ Canon 1231, Code of Canon Law
- ^ Tambuyat, Adrian. "Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe declared National Shrine on May 31". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
- Code of Canon Law §1231
- Parungao, Adrian (2024-01-26). "Antipolo Cathedral now PH and Asia's first international shrine". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- Agreement Between the Holy See and Republic of Latvia, Article 12
- ^ Chow, Gabriel (2012). "International and National Shrines". GCatholic.org. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
- Knock Named an International Shrine
- n/a, CNN Philippines Staff (26 June 2022). "Antipolo Church now recognized as 'international shrine' — CBCP". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
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has generic name (help) - "Kerala / Kochi News : Malayattoor church festival held". The Hindu. 2009-04-20. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
- https://www.ucanews.com/amp/korean-martyrs-pilgrim-site-recognized-by-vatican/91699
- Agreement Between the Holy See and Republic of Nigeria, Article 12
- Subikia Shrine
- Caldwell, Simon (18 November 2023). "Bishops elevate St Winefride's Well to status of national shrine". Catholic Herald.
- "Canada's National Shrines". Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- Ross, Lilla. "America's Oldest Shrine Receives National Recognition". Saint Augustine Catholic. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor
- "National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham". Saint Bede Catholic Church. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
External links
- Catholic Shrines, a listing of all the Catholic shrines in the United States