The second Sunday in easter is known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This Feast of Divine Mercy, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and celebrated within Vatican City by Pope John Paul II, was granted by the Pope to the Universal Church on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that,  "throughout the world the Second Sunday of

A group of Shrine directors and pilgrimage leaders attended the annual Pilgrimage Coordinators conference hosted by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. March 9th-10th. NASPA President Carol Bezak, Director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in NY attended with NASPA Secretary Grace Arjona Veloz, Director of Development and Stewardship at National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in FL. The Conference began on Monda

10 books and resources about pilgrimage in America to help you on your way.

Lent is so much more than a self-improvement period, we can use this human approach to Lent as an opportunity to draw people into the mysteries that await them in the celebrations of Tritium and Easter.

In the United States, there are several shrines dedicated to or with a special connection to persons in various stages of the canonization process.

We are grateful to Pope Leo for this Franciscan Jubilee Year and hope that St. Francis will continue to bring souls to Jesus during pilgrimage to these holy sites.

In 2022, NASPA launched a series of monthly member meetings online called NASPA Networking. This year, we have another exciting lineup of speakers and topics. We kicked off the 2026 lineup with The National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in NJ. Three representatives shared a behind-the-scenes look at their new Virtual Pilgrimage created for the 100th anniversary of Our Lady's call for the first Saturday devotions. This session was open to all, and the recording can b

As we enter the final stretch of the Jubilee year of Hope, NASPA wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect on what Shrines have experienced since Last December. The jubilee officially ends on January 6th, 2026, which leaves pilgrims just under 40 days to gain the special plenary indulgence.

On the Feast Day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, November 13th, we are excited to announce that the 2026 NASPA Convention will take place at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado. The Convention dates will be Sunday, September 13 - Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Tickets will go on sale in the new year. Mother Cabrini, Pray for Us

NASPA Convention Attendees pose for a group photo at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City September 16, 2025 New Faces on the Board At the NASPA Annual Business Meeting on September 17th, the board welcomed three new members. Fr. Christopher Iwancio, OFM Cap, president of Modern Catholic Pilgrim, Julia Attaway, executive director of St. Frances Cabrini Shrine in New York City, and Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, rector of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miracu

This year we made a pilgrimage back in time to explore the roots of NASPA. Thanks to the meticulous preservation habits of some of NASPA's past presidents, our current President Carol Bezak received documents outlining the origins of our association. Enjoy the following trip down memory lane as we review the mission that has fueled 40 years of service to pilgrims and shrines.

In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year, our late Holy Father Pope Francis emphasized the spiritual significance of pilgrimages, encouraging the faithful to embark on journeys of faith and hope. “Pilgrims of Hope” invited Catholics worldwide to renew their faith through pilgrimage, prayer and acts of charity.

The new Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. His roots are deeply embedded in the...

Take a break from your DIY project and visit one of these 6 U. S. sites to honor St. Joseph, terror of demons March 19th and St. Joseph the Worker, Feast day May 1st, the patron saint of carpenters and hard workers.   Two feast days to celebrate Christ's steadfast and silent foster father. Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling, New Jersey St. Joseph the Worker shrine in MA   Shrine of St. Joseph, NJ   Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral KY National Shrine of St. Joseph, WI  

"On this 2025 Easter Monday, the Church celebrates the reality of the resurrection, and the beauty and message of our Easter liturgies...

We invited Fr. Nicholas Blackwell to lead our 3rd Annual Lenten Retreat on March 17th via ZOOM. Fr. Blackwell is a Canonical advisor for...

The Jubilee Year of Hope invites us to become "Pilgrims of Hope" and NASPA can help!

At the NASPA Annual Business meeting on November 8th, Miguel Mireles, Executive Director of The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma C

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on Dec 12. Many of our shrines host special celebrations.

Representatives of 14 shrines gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche November 6-8 for the NASPA Annual Convention.