Catholics have been going on pilgrimages from the days of the early church. Pope Benedict XVI said, “to go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendor and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe.”
It can be difficult and costly to journey to distant pilgrimage sites, but Rhode Islanders need not worry! There are many Catholic churches and shrines in Rhode Island to visit for a mini pilgrimage. Consider the following locations to visit and learn more about the Catholic faith.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church and Shrine, Mapleville, burrillvillecatholic.org
Founded in 1923, just four years after St. Thérèse of Lisieux was canonized, the outdoor shrine is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. The outdoor shrine offers Stations of the Cross, Holy Stairs, a Rosary walk around the grounds and gardens dedicated to various saints. There is also a church which is open daily for Mass and prayers. The shrine offers group retreats and school or religious education field trips that can be made in advance.
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence, Rhode Island, www.providencecathedral.org
Whether you have been to the Cathedral regularly, haven’t gone in some time or have never been, a visit to the “Mother Church” is one to add to your list! Home to our Bishop the Most Rev. Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., the cathedral is breathtaking. The cathedral offers daily Mass, First Friday Adoration, Sunday Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a youth group, and more.
St. Mary’s Church on Broadway, Providence, stmarypvdri.org
As one of the most historic churches in Rhode Island, St. Mary’s Church is a Traditional Latin Mass Parish which has been entrusted to the care of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) since 2018. The parish offers two Low Masses and one sung Mass on Sunday, daily Mass, daily Confession, and Friday evening Adoration. If you have never been to a Latin Mass, take this as your sign to go! The Latin Mass has formed the greater majority of the Church’s saints. The priest faces the altar, the prayers and responses are in Latin, however, the Epistle, Gospel and homily are in English. The church offers missals to use during the Mass, but one can easily follow along as well.
Holy Ghost Church, Providence, holy-ghost-church.org
Another historic and breathtaking church which is close to both the Cathedral and St. Mary’s is Holy Ghost Church. Holy Ghost Church was established in 1889 for the Italian community who lived on and around Federal Hill. The church offers the only Mass offered in Italian in the entire state on Sunday mornings. Holy Ghost Church also has daily Mass, another Mass on Sunday in English, and Adoration on Wednesday evenings. The church is also exceptionally beautiful and there are many spectacular images to gaze at while meditating on the Mass or while in prayer. There is also a remarkable statute of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Attending Mass at Holy Ghost is a gift in and of itself, but also a perfect opportunity to visit restaurants and shops along Federal Hill.
St. Mary’s Church, Newport, stmarynewportri.org
St. Mary’s in Newport was established in 1828 after Catholics who were working at Fort Adams needed a congregation. The church is as rich in beauty as it is in history. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our 35th President, were married there in 1953. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy attended Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s Church for the three years that President Kennedy was Senator. Newport is a beautiful city to visit year-round, but especially during the summer.
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, Narragansett, stmarystaroftheseari.org
Located at 864 Point Judith Road, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea offers a late-day Sunday Mass in the summer for those who may have spent a little too much time having fun in the sun and don’t want to miss out on attending Mass. Open year-round, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea has earlier Sunday Masses and daily Masses as well if you would like to first go to church and then hit the sand or the ferry boat to Block Island.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro, Massachusetts, lasaletteattleboroshrine.org
While not technically in Rhode Island, The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is just over the border in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The shrine offers retreats, a religious store, various programs and daily Mass for the faithful. La Salette’s Christmas Festival of Lights is most likely one of the most popular events that take place at the shrine, however, the shrine has other events, ministries and programs throughout the year as well.
Do you have a location in Rhode Island that you love to visit either by yourself or with your family? Share with us on Rhode Island Catholic’s Facebook page!
Christina Frye is a lifelong Rhode Islander, wife, mother and founder of Catholic Mom Rhode Island, www.CatholicMomRI.com.
