Episode 393: A Catholic Feat: Visiting All 94 Basilicas in the United States with Grady Connolly

There are 94 Catholic basilicas in the United States, and Grady Connolly has visited every single one of them!

What began as a fascination with one basilica became a remarkable pilgrimage across the country. In this episode, Grady shares the story of his first basilica visit, how the idea of visiting every American basilica came about, and what he learned along the way.

What makes a church a basilica? What is the significance of the bell and umbrella found in basilicas? What does Grady do when he visits one? And are there churches in America that should be designated basilicas but aren't?

Grady also reveals his three favorite basilicas and shares a beautiful encounter from his travels that remains with him to this day.

His journey inspired his new book, Basilicas: A Pilgrim's Guide to America's Most Remarkable Catholic Churches, published by Ave Maria Press.

If you've ever visited a basilica or wondered what makes these churches special, Grady's story might inspire you to begin a pilgrimage of your own.

Get Grady's book: https://www.avemariapress.com/collections/pilgrimage-collection/products/basilicas