These family-friendly pilgrimage destinations offer faith, beauty, and hands-on experiences for young hearts.
Living less than an hour away from the only approved Marian Apparition Site in the United States–the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion–I grew up visiting the Shrine and going on field trips to the sacred space. With the proximity of this Shrine, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized not everyone has a Marian Apparition Site practically in their backyard!
Even at a young age, in visiting the shrine, I noticed how near I felt to God and appreciated the serenity walking on the grounds supplied. It made me wonder, “Are there more places like this?” One simple question began a three-month journey across the United States.
This past spring, I road tripped 20,000 miles in 12 weeks, pilgrimaging to Catholic Shrines across the country. From California to Rhode Island, I made my way, learning about the history of these sacred spaces, the impact on their community, and the miracles that have occurred. As Catholics, we are encouraged to go on a pilgrimage or retreat about once a year. In this experience, I’ve realized that pilgrimage is possible, without even taking a flight across the sea, and something you can do with your college roommates, family, and other loved ones.
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Visiting the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion was impactful for me as a young person, and bringing your children to a Shrine can have a similar impact on your children. It can be intimidating to bring a little one to a quiet, prayerful space. Yet, visiting these Shrines, I found myself excited to one day bring my future children to see the places that have inspired my faith.
4 Shrines To Visit With Kids
While it’s difficult to choose, there are four Shrines that stick out to me the most when it comes to inspiration and ease of kids to visit.
- Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe – La Crosse, WI
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is included on this list for several reasons. First, because it is absolutely stunning, you might actually mistake the Shrine for Heaven. They have multiple areas to pray at the Shrine–most reflective spots require significant walking outdoors, which is both the perfect walking pilgrimage, and also a great way to have kids get out their energy.
You might begin at the welcome center to gather information, and then journey uphill towards their votive candle chapel, which has candles eternally lit to symbolize continuous prayer. Then, you’ll find yourself at the Church–which is a massive–beautifully constructed Church with devotions to familial Saints such as St. Gianna Molla, St. Maria Goretti; and of course, the patron of families, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Our Lady of Guadalupe was intentionally designated as the patron of this Shrine because Cardinal Burke (then Bishop Burke) built it to revive family devotion. To further symbolize this, the Shrine has a dedicated garden and memorial for the unborn. While a difficult situation to grapple with, the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe holding infants that hallmarks this garden communicates her maternal care of each of us. Through this message, children can see how Our Lady cares for their parents, but also cares for them as little ones in the faith.
Continuing this walking journey, they have a Rosary walk and Stations of the Cross. For children who struggle to sit and pray, the Rosary walk and Stations offer a hands-on way to enter into prayer. This helps children to pray with art and movement. In many ways, it’s as if they get to walk with Jesus and Our Lady.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a fabulous Shrine to visit with your family–it’s designed for families (dedicated to the patroness of families!), is primarily outdoors, and offers multiple devotions, depicted in ways that may be more appealing to children through movement and art.
2. National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton – Emmitsburg, MD
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is included here because of its spiritual importance, but also its historical significance. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is best known for her pivotal role in shaping the education system as we know it today, making it easy for children to relate to her message. Due to the historical perspective of her story, the Shrine offers numerous educational opportunities, and you can even tour her original schoolhouse, still decorated as the classrooms she would’ve taught in.
This Shrine features exhibits that explain the process of canonization, displaying multiple artifacts from St. Elizabeth herself. There is an opportunity to visit with a tour guide who can explain St. Elizabeth’s story as well as her pertinence to your children’s lives.
I personally enjoyed how this experience made me feel close to St. Elizabeth – I could walk where she walked and see how her story unfolded. Children will likely have a common experience – being able to see what St. Elizabeth built and even visit her tomb. The more we can help children realize that sainthood is attainable, the better. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine communicates that flawlessly!
3. Saint John Paul II National Shrine – Washington, D.C.
The Saint John Paul II National Shrine will leave both students and parents impressed with the level of knowledge and significance of how Pope St. John Paul II continues to impact our lives today. The museum and exhibits at the JPII Shrine are extensive–they frequently switch out various faith-based exhibits, and have accumulated a myriad of artifacts from the life and pontificate of the beloved Pope. This Shrine is great for children who love to visit museums – they can walk through the life of Pope St. John Paul II, watch videos from his Papacy, and even venerate a relic of the Pope.
This Shrine is also wonderful for young people because of the significance that young people held during the pontificate of JPII. Young people were always at the forefront of his work–he founded World Youth Day, intentionally spent time evangelizing to young people, and developed his best-known theology about the dignity of the human person. T
The museum also introduces young ones to the work of the Pope as we know it today: Pope St. John Paul II was the first Pope to really step outside the Vatican and meet people in their native culture, JPII promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he had one of the longest-lasting papacies in the Church, and he canonized 482 Saints.
While Pope St. John Paul II boasts an impressive resume, that is not all that one will take away from a visit to the Shrine. Learning about JPII (then, Karol Wojtyła) as a young person is incredibly influential. He is a prime example to young people about overcoming adversity, encouraging vocational life, and prioritizing prayer.
Karol Wojtyła lost everyone close to him due to the Communist forces in Poland by the time he was 21 years old–yet, he still learned to turn to God in everything. All in all, this Shrine left a profound impact on me and how I see God in the day-to-day life, especially with the guidance of Pope St. John Paul II. It is a great opportunity to learn together with your family, with the Pope who fought for the life of the family!
4. Our Lady of Champion – Champion, WI
Not only is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion a beautiful, humble, and serene Shrine in the middle of farmland Wisconsin, but Our Lady’s message is oriented towards young people. The Shrine offers a variety of devotions to bring your little ones to, with picnic tables and benches outside for breaks and snacks in between. They also have a peaceful Rosary walk that features statues of Pope St. John Paul II, St. Francis, and Lourdes Grotto. These are wonderful places to walk around with your children, while remaining in a peaceful environment.
And did I mention that Our Lady literally appeared here? That alone makes this Shrine a must-visit.
There are a multitude of videos online sharing the story of Our Lady of Champion that would be easy for children to watch while traveling so they are well equipped with the story of Our Lady, her message, and also the miracles that have taken place at this Shrine. Not only is it practically a Shrine that makes it easy to bring your family to with its indoor and outdoor facilities, but it is also a wonderful way to explain and give an example to your family of Marian Devotion and the grace of the Blessed Mother.
I know that the dynamic of bringing children to a Shrine can be difficult, but it is a worthwhile experience for children to see faith lived out in each of these spaces. Pilgrimage to a Shrine offers an opportunity to explain the faith in a different perspective–often based on the devotion, history, and miracles that each of these sacred places has to offer. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or young adult seeking peace, these shrines invite you to slow down, pray, and walk with Mary. Plan a pilgrimage soon—and bring someone with you.
