Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in Minnesota

In October of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a "Year of Faith" as an opportunity for Catholics and indeed all Christians to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of the gift of faith.

The Year of Faith is an opportunity to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.  The pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith.”  The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year we are called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ.

As a part of this Year of Faith, dioceses throughout the world have designated places of pilgrimage and prayer to aide in this process of rediscovery.  In addition to the spiritual benefits of visiting these sites, a pilgrimage is also an excellent opportunity to discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of a given area.  The Year of Faith comes to a close on 24 November 2013.

Below are a list and map of designated pilgrimage sites within the state of Minnesota:

Diocese of Crookston
Crookston, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Diocese of Duluth
Ball Club, St. Joseph Church & Shrine
Cass Lake, St. Charles Church
Duluth, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
Eveleth, Church of the Resurrection 
Grand Portage, Holy Rosary Church
Sawyer, Ruins of the original Ss. Mary & Joseph Church
Schroeder, Father Baraga Cross

Diocese of New Ulm
Marshall, Holy Redeemer Church
Murdock, Sacred Heart Church
New Ulm, Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Renville, Holy Redeemer Church
Sleepy Eye, Schoenstatt Shrine
Winsted, Holy Trinity Church

Diocese of St. Cloud
Alexandria, St. Mary Church
Collegeville, St. John Abbey
Elk River, St. Andrew Church
Little Falls, Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Little Falls, Sacred Heart Chapel
Melrose, St. Mary Church
Onamia, Holy Cross Priory
Richmond, Ss. Peter & Paul Church
St. Cloud, St. Mary Cathedral
St. Joseph, Sacred Heart Chapel
Staples, Sacred Heart Church 

Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis
Faribault, Divine Mercy Church
Hastings, St. Joseph Church
Minneapolis, Basilica of St. Mary
St. Anthony, St. Charles Borromeo Church
St. Louis Park, Holy Family Church
St. Paul, Cathedral of St. Paul
St. Paul, Out Lady of Guadalupe Church
St. Paul, St. Mark Church
Stillwater, St. Michael Church
Waverly, St. Mary Church

Diocese of Winona
Unknown.  If readers have information on pilgrimage sites for this diocese, please contact me.


View Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in Minnesota in a larger map

If one wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence at a pilgrimage site, the pilgrim must be in the state of grace and have the intention of gaining the indulgence either for oneself or for a soul in Purgatory.  The pilgrim then must take part in some sacred function at the place or else pause for a few moments of prayer, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father and a Profession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed) and a request for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin or the patron saint of the location.  One also must say a prayer for the intentions of the Pope and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist within eight days before, during, or after the pilgrimage.  

In addition to the above mentioned pilgrimage sites, a pilgrim may visit the baptistery or other place where one was baptized and, while there, renew one's baptismal promises.