{"product_id":"basilicas-a-pilgrim-s-guide-to-america-s-most-remarkable-catholic-churches","title":"Basilicas: A Pilgrim’s Guide to America’s Most Remarkable Catholic Churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Grady J. Connolly\u003cbr\u003eForeword by: Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Cardinal James Harvey\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Do not be like superficial sightseers. . . . Tourists do this. Pilgrims, on the other hand, immerse themselves fully in the places they encounter.” —Pope Francis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePope Francis’s call to move beyond sightseeing and into pilgrimage sets the tone for \u003ci\u003eBasilicas: A Pilgrim’s Guide to America’s Most Remarkable Catholic Churches\u003c\/i\u003e—a breathtaking Catholic travel guide to the sacred beauty, history, and spiritual richness of the Catholic basilicas of the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrady Connolly, known as the Social Thomist, has personally visited every single one of the ninety-four Catholic basilicas in the United States. Drawing on years of travel, prayer, and lived encounter, he offers a Catholic guidebook designed not merely to be admired but to be used. \u003ci\u003eBasilicas\u003c\/i\u003e is as portable as it is beautiful—crafted to slip easily into a backpack, withstand the wear of the road, and accompany readers as they explore the stand-out Catholic churches in this country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBasilicas are churches formally designated by the pope as special places of pilgrimage because of their profound spiritual, historical, and cultural significance. While every diocese has a cathedral, a basilica stands apart as a living witness to the faith, sacrifice, and devotion of the community that built it. When approached with prayerful intentionality, even a brief visit to a basilica can become a genuine encounter with Christ and his Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside this Catholic travel and pilgrimage guide, you’ll discover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEssential Information for Every Basilica\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClear, accessible details on history, papal designation, and the faithful communities who have shaped each sacred space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStunning Photography of Catholic Churches and Sacred Art\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStriking images that highlight architectural beauty, devotional details, and moments easily missed by the casual visitor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal Encounters and Reflections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThoughtful spiritual insights and firsthand stories drawn from Connolly’s journey through America’s Catholic basilicas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether the nearest basilica is a flight away or just down the road, \u003ci\u003eBasilicas\u003c\/i\u003e invites you to walk as a pilgrim rather than a tourist. This rich Catholic devotional travel guide opens the door to deeper faith, greater wonder, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty and enduring legacy of Catholicism in America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for Catholics seeking meaningful travel, parish groups, pilgrimage planners, OCIA candidates and converts, lovers of Catholic history and architecture, and anyone longing to encounter God through sacred places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"align-items-center d-flex flex-wrap list-unstyled m-0 mt-n3 p-0 product-details-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"mt-3 mb-0\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"fw-semibold\"\u003ePages: \u003c\/span\u003e352\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"mt-3 mb-0\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"fw-semibold\"\u003eTrim size: \u003c\/span\u003e6 x 9 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"mt-3 mb-0\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"fw-semibold\"\u003eImprint: \u003c\/span\u003eAve Maria Press\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"mt-3 mb-0\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"text-secondary-600\"\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Paperback\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"mt-3 mb-0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-secondary-600\"\u003ePublication date: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ctime datetime=\"2026-10-30\" class=\"metafield-date\"\u003eOctober 30, 2026\u003c\/time\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Ave Maria Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51037419569371,"sku":"9781646804603","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2117\/2365\/files\/9781646804603.webp?v=1793841860","url":"https:\/\/catholicbookandgifts.com\/products\/basilicas-a-pilgrim-s-guide-to-america-s-most-remarkable-catholic-churches","provider":"Catholic Book \u0026 Gift Store ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}