The Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle @ San Juan, Texas

 Travel is about putting aside preconceptions and learning.  Somehow I got the impression that basilicas are old buildings.  Saint Stanislaw Basilica in Chickopee, Massachusetts and the Cathedral Basilica in Saint Augustine are old.





The Basilica of our Lady of 
San Juan del Valle is a
modern building.

Eric at the top of the

steps leading to the

Basilica.

In 1623 a statue of the
Virgin Mary was put on
the body of a little girl 
who had died while
prayers were said.









The girl came back to life and the story of the miracle spread throughout the area.

The Basilica is set up like an amphitheater.

A hotel, cafeteria and retreat center were built to accommodate the thousands of visitors who visit the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle each year.

The Altar

The church was destroyed in 1970 when a low flying plane hit the building and exploded.  The pilot died.  Everyone on the ground, including fifty priests survived.  Two priests saved the statue of the Virgin Mary.  A new shrine was built and dedicated in 1980.  In 1998 the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated Our Lady of San Juan del Valle a National Shrine.  Pope John Paul II elevated the church to a minor Basilica.

The Altar of the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel







Statues of Saints on the walls of the Basilica...

Saint Juan de

la Cruz

Saint Teresa












Visitors kneel before statues and say prayers...

Father Toribio Romo

is a martyred saint.

Visitors leave flowers &
candy at the Divine
Child Statue.

Articles about the dedication

of the Shrine in 1980 &

the Virgin of Roble.

Robes that visitors have
brought to the Shrine
for the Blessed Virgin
Mary.

The Holy Water Font

The Thirteenth Station
of the Cross:
Jesus is taken down 
from the cross.





The building and grounds at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle are beautiful.