The Faithful Traveler in the US: East Coast Shrines

National Shrine of St Rita of Cascia

The National Shrine of St Rita of Cascia is located in South Philadelphia, not far from the famous Italian Market and from Center City. It is one of the most beautifully decorated shrines Diana saw in all her travels, particularly because of the art of one man: parishioner and artist extraordinaire, Anthony Visco. In this episode, we explore this amazing shrine and learn about St Rita’s life. Diana interviews Rev. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A, previous shrine director and Assistant General of the Order of St. Augustine, who clears away some common misconceptions about St Rita’s history, while the shrine director, Rev. Joseph A. Genito, O.S.A. discusses her stigmata and legacy.

National Shrine of St Katharine Drexel

Until the end of 2017, The National Shrine of St Katharine Drexel was located in Bensalem, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. In 2018, the shrine was sold and the saint was moved to Philadelphia’s Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul.

In this episode, we explore the shrine that is no more, and learn about the “world’s richest nun”, Katharine Drexel. Diana interviews local author of two books on St. Katharine, Lou Baldwin, who discusses her family life and how she made the decision to devote not only her fortune, but her entire life to evangelize to Native and African Americans.

You’ll also hear Robert Gutherman tell the miraculous story of how his hearing was restored through the intercession of St. Katharine, and how that miracle helped bring her closer to sainthood.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton in New York City

In this episode, we explore the sites touched by the amazing St Elizabeth Ann Seton. Diana takes you on a tour of the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Battery Park, Manhattan, built atop the home where she once lived with her husband and children. You’ll learn of her early life as a devout Protestant, her conversion and entry into the Catholic Church at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church near Wall Street, which we also explore. The magnificent Rev. Kevin McGoldrick discusses the concept of Transubstantiation and the Real Presence, to help explain how those dogmas helped convert the woman who went on to become the first saint of the United States of America.

St Elizabeth Ann Seton in Maryland

St Elizabeth Ann Seton went places! And in this episode, Diana takes you on a tour of Baltimore’s St. Mary’s Spiritual Center & Historic Site, where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lived for one year. Rev. John C. Kemper, S.S., the shrine’s director, discusses St. Elizabeth Ann’s life in Baltimore. Then it’s off to Emmitsburg, Maryland, where the huge and amazing National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is explored, and this wonderful saint’s legacy is examined.

St Alphonsus Catholic Church

St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church, also known as Baltimore’s Powerhouse of Prayer, is where not one, but two holy men lived as rectors: St. John Neumann and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. The architecture of this amazing Southern German Gothic masterpiece is explored, and Monsignor Arthur W. Bastress, the pastor, discusses the lives of his two holy predecessors.

National Shrine of St John Nepomucene Neumann

The National Shrine of St John Neumann is located in Philadelphia and once was home to America’s first bishop to be canonized a saint. In this episode, Diana takes you on a tour of the shrine and speaks with Cardinal Justin Rigali about his predecessor’s legacy. Rev. Kevin Moley, C.Ss.R., the shrine’s prior director, discusses St John Neumann’s life and legacy.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is an oasis of calm and faith in the heart of one of the loudest and most congested cities in the country. Even though it is surely the most visited church in Manhattan, you can still find a quiet chapel to pray and and come closer to God. In the final two episodes of the series, Diana takes you on a whirlwind tour of this renowned cathedral, and helps viewers understand what it took to get the cathedral built, and what it means to Catholics around the world. She interviews Monsignor Thomas J. Shelley, professor of history at Fordham University, who discusses the impact that New York’s first Archbishop, John Hughes, had on the city, and how he helped make this landmark a cathedral of suitable magnificence.