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.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Raymond, MN

In the community of Raymond, Minnesota, there are two church buildings that once served as the places of worship for the now-disbanded Sacred Heart Parish.

A small, wood frame building near downtown served as the first Sacred Heart Church.  It appears to be abandoned.

The wood frame church was later replaced by a much larger structure located in the southwestern part of town.  Judging by its architectural style, I would guess that this church was constructed in the late 1950s or early 1960s.  It likewise appears to be abandoned.

In 1990, Sacred Heart Church was closed and the parish merged with nearby St. Clara Catholic Church in Clara City, Minnesota.  A statue of the Sacred Heart that once graced the grounds of the Raymond church now stands alongside the church in Clara City. 

I have been unable to find any historical information about either of the church buildings in Raymond.  If any readers would like to share some history or photographs, please feel free to contact me.

Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), Brookfield Township (Rural Hector), MN

On one of my several trips back and forth between Nebraska and St. John's, I noticed a steeple on the horizon just outside of Hector, Minnesota. I had the time, so I decided to investigate. I found that this steeple belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) of Brookfield Township.
Unfortunately, I know very little about the history of this congregation or its church. From what I've gathered, the congregation was founded in 1897 with the current church dating from 1901 and renovated in 1948. The above photo was hanging in the back of the church and likely dates from the early 1970s. If any readers have information on the history of this church, please feel free to email me.

Another photo hanging in the back of Trinity Church depicts the structure in the context of its native surroundings. The adjacent parsonage is no longer standing.

A well-worn set of double doors greeted me upon entering the church along with the requisite bulletin board and pamphlet rack.

I found in the interior of Trinity Church the quintessential prairie Lutheran church: a well-proportioned Gothic Revival structure clad in wainscot and acoustic fiber board (likely from the 1948 renovation), small pipe organ left of the sanctuary, locally-crafted banners on the side walls, and wood-stained altar, pulpit, and baptismal font in the sanctuary.

A view from the altar facing the church entrance. The church does have a small balcony, but it appears that it's mostly used for storage now.

A closer look at the sanctuary better shows the church's furnishings in relation to each other. The structural protrusion behind the pulpit is actually a very small vesting room for the pastor.

Light glances off of the ornate details of the pulpit. While the church's furnishing are not overly elaborate, they are very nice pieces that represent the era of construction very well.


The altar of Trinity Church features plaster reproductions of two famous pieces of artwork: Michelangelo's Last Supper and the Christus statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen. The altar itself has been very well preserved and compliments the architecture of the structure itself.

A closer look at the baptismal font and very fine presider's chair featuring Prairie-style detailing.

An attendance board hangs on the side wall, near the pipe organ. Hopefully, these numbers don't reflect the actual status of the congregation. The ELCA website reports healthier statistics for Trinity.

The windows are comprised of very simple colored glass set into wooden frames.

A closer look at the clear glass planes reveal an elaborate etched design.

St. Anthony Catholic Church, Westbrook, MN

FINALLY! The last church from my Minnesota trip... 15 churches in all. Not too bad for four days!

St. Anthony's is a contemporary church that makes great use of natural light. This results in a pleasant atmosphere inside of this simple, dignified church.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Lucan, MN

Our Lady of Victory is another fine contemporary structure built in 1963. The windows, which depict the mysteries of the rosary are particularly nice.


There's also a window of my patron, St. Isidore the Farmer in the narthex. This is one of my favorite depictions I've seen of him.

St. John Catholic Church, Morton, MN

Built in 1922, St. John's is a strong and simple church in the English neo-gothic style.

St. Wendelin Catholic Church, Luxemburg, MN

Another very historic parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud. The parish dates from 1859 and is named in honer of St. Wendelin. A rather obscure saint, Wendelin was man of Scottish descent who was once a shepherd and who later founded the Benedictine Abbey of Tholey. He died around the year 617. St. Wendelin is the patron saint of "country folk and herdsmen," according to the History of St. Wendelin's Parish (1934).

The cornerstone for the present church was laid in 1872 and later dedicated on July 3, 1875 by Bishop Rupert Seidenbusch, O.S.B.. The structure is built from granite and is 50 x 114 feet. Its main walls are 1.5 feet thick and 28 feet high.

There is a small pipe organ from an unknown builder in the gallery.


St. Wendelin himself - with a sheep from his earlier shepherding days and mitre from his time as abbot.

St. John Catholic Church, Hector, MN

St. Anastasia Catholic Church, Hutchinson, MN

St. Anastasia was built in 1984 and was locked.

St. Edward Catholic Church, Elmdale, MN

St. Edward's is a quaint, small town church built in 1920 and has several subtle touches that greatly add to the overall effect of the building.

I'm a big fan of the art deco light fixtures!


Though the paint scheme is rather plain, vivid colors do abound in this church - note especially the angel reliefs around the tabernacle and the art glass windows.

Interestingly, the Elmdale Lutheran Church, now apparently abandoned, sits just across the yard from St. Edward's. It was built one year earlier in 1919. I do wonder what the relationship (if any) was like between these two churches in their heydays. I'll occasionally see when two "competing" churches are in such close proximity, there will be somewhat of a competition to see who can build bigger and better, however this does not seem the case here in Elmdale. I would put the two building on roughly the same plane.

I am very aware of the changes in rural demographics, however, it's still a shame to see these religious and cultural icons languish.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pierz, MN

St. Joseph is another area parish founded by Fr. Francis Xavier Pierz (the town bears his name) and is rich in history as well. I won't go into that history too much here, as I have a whole book Pierzana II by Robert Voigt to read about the subject!

Both architecturally and artistically, this is an interesting building. This is the only church I've ever seen that has wood floors throughout the entire space.

Note the images of (I think) Popes Pius XI and Pius XII painted on the high altar.

Another window of my patron, St. Isidore the Farmer.






This is the first time I've seen a window of the Annunciation that involves Joseph.


A Wicks pipe organ is found in the loft beneath a stained glass skylight - another feature that I've only seen in this church.

The exterior sports some very intricate brickwork. Benedictine crosses line the sidewalls, clearly marking this church as Benedictine territory!



And the bell tower proudly states that this church was built in 1888.

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Bowlus, MN

St. Stanislaus is a neo-gothic church built in 1909. While relatively simple, the interior has an inviting feel to it.


A peek into the tower revels the skeleton of a former bell ringing mechanism as well as the fascinating construction techniques used in building the church - note the raw timbers used as beams.

Holy Family Catholic Church, Little Falls, MN

Holy Family, just north of Little Falls is the oldest parish in the Diocese of St. Cloud. The first Mass was celebrated here by Fr. Francis Xavier Pierz (a significant and ambitious missionary) in 1852, when the settlement was then known as "LaCroix" and later "Belle Prairie." As late as 1916, parish records were still written in French.

The present church was built in 1877, and is actually stucco over stone, with the walls being roughly two feet thick. The entrance space was added in 2000.

A very unique window to the right of the sanctuary depicts Pope Leo XIII (who was pope from 1878-1903) in a boat with Jesus, surrounded by stormy seas.
A window in the gathering space depicts a favorite of mine, St. Isidore the Farmer - who also liked to visit churches!

An outdoor shrine pays homage to the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who were founded here in 1872 by Elizabeth Hayes (Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus). These sisters also ran the nearby Our Lady of the Angels Academy, which was closed in 1970 and has recently received a new life as Riverwood Pines Apartments. A replica of the order's first Motherhouse - actually a log cabin - is near the shrine.
A memorial to the Blessed Sacrament near the former convent.