Leading up to the 250th Anniversary of July 4, we're taking time to publish stories about the history of Catholicism in the United States. Please enjoy this latest entry!
Some of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in America are not found in major cities.
One of them is nestled in the small town of Carey, Ohio.
For nearly 150 years, pilgrims have traveled to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation seeking the comfort, healing, and maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary under one of her most beautiful titles: Our Lady of Consolation.
The story begins in 1875 when a statue of Our Lady of Consolation arrived in Carey from Luxembourg, where devotion to Mary under this title had flourished for centuries. As the statue was carried in procession to its new home, local tradition records a remarkable event. Apparently, according to some who were there, a severe storm was sweeping through the region, yet neither the statue nor those accompanying it were touched by rain.
As word spread, so did the number of visitors to this small Ohio town. The original parish church eventually proved too small to accommodate the growing crowds. The beautiful basilica that stands today became a visible sign of the devotion that had taken root there, and in 1971, Pope Paul VI elevated the shrine to the dignity of a Minor Basilica.
What makes this pilgrimage site especially compelling is its title. We all know what it means to need consolation.
Life brings disappointments, illnesses, losses, worries about loved ones, and seasons of uncertainty. The title "Our Lady of Consolation" reminds us that Mary accompanies her children through those struggles and continually brings their needs before her Son.
That reality is visible throughout the shrine.
In the lower level of the basilica, pilgrims can see crutches, braces, and other objects left behind by those who believed they received special graces or healings through Our Lady's intercession. These simple items tell countless stories of people who arrived carrying burdens and left strengthened in faith and hope.
The grounds themselves invite prayer. Pilgrims can walk nearly a mile of outdoor Stations of the Cross that wind through the property before arriving at a large outdoor altar crowned by a golden dome and a statue of the Blessed Mother. It is the kind of place that encourages visitors to slow down, pray, and entrust their intentions to Mary.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we continue with this series. We have been to the West Coast, the East Coast, and now the Midwest. Sites like the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation remind us that the Catholic story in this country is not found only in great cathedrals or historic cities; it is also found in small towns where generations of faithful Catholics have gathered to pray, seek healing, and place their trust in God.
They come looking for consolation, and like generations before them, they find a mother waiting to lead them to her Son. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of America, we have created the American Saints Medium Roast Coffee in 250th Anniversary Commemorative Can.
This coffee can serves as a re-usable item, perfect for future coffee grinds, a beautiful house plant, or just a great holder of all things miscellaneous! Find yours today at The Catholic Company!
