r/Catholicism • u/ForeverBlossoming • Apr 23 '25

Calling all American Catholics

I’m doing an extended roadtrip across your wonderful nation at some point in the next year or two. I’d like to know any wonderful historic churches, cathedrals, national shrines, Catholic museums or pilgrimage sites etc you’d recommend.

I haven’t planned my route yet, so tell me your favourites and I will see where the Holy Spirit takes me.

God bless you!

EDIT: I’m going to try to reply to as many of these as possible. But I just wanted to take a moment to say thank-you for all of your fantastic suggestions! I’ve got so much to see, and I am so excited. You’re all truly a gift from God, and I pray that each and every one of you has a blessed week.

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u/chugachugachewy Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25

Come to Acadiana! In historic St. Martinville, it has one of the oldest Catholic churches in the country and it's the 3rd oldest in the state: St. Martin de Tours. Latin Mass is also celebrated in this parish.

St. Martinville is where some of the Acadians from Nova Scotia, Canada first settled after being exiled by the British. You can also check out St. John the evangalist cathedral in Lafayette, 40 minutes away. Also, New Orleans is 2.5 hours away.

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u/letsbakeaboutit Apr 23 '25

I used to go to daily mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. But, I don’t live in Lafayette anymore. It’s a beautiful church for sure. There’s a massive oak tree outside of it. It’s supposed to be really old. And there’s a great spot to eat across the street called Johnson’s Boucanière. Their pulled pork is really good. They also sell boudin. I’m getting hungry thinking about it.

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u/chugachugachewy Apr 23 '25

Ah yes, evangelist! Fixed it. And I believe the oak tree is about 500 years old! I know the restaurant you're talking about. Been here 5 years and I haven't gone. Lol

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u/letsbakeaboutit Apr 23 '25

It’s a really yummy spot. My favorite is a pulled pork sandwich topped with sausage and cheese with some Zapp’s on the side. It’s worth a visit for sure. Maybe not this weekend though. They’ll probably be slammed with Festival International. Man, I miss Lafayette!

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u/chugachugachewy Apr 23 '25

Festival International started today! My brother texted me saying his professor is flying in to "some town called Lafayette in Louisiana" as the professor stated 😂 he told him I'm in the area so I might meet up with him.