Shrine of St. Thérèse draws pilgrims from far and near

Alaska is a state renowned for its natural beauty and wonderous sights, drawing over 3 million visitors annually. The National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Juneau is unique in this regard, calling to people worldwide for its natural and spiritual beauty.

Many pilgrims journey to Santiago de Compostela, or walk the streets of Rome and Jerusalem. But much like its patron, the small Alaska shrine in a distant, rural part of the country abounds in God’s grace in a special way. 

Many pilgrims to the shrine come from abroad. However, many visit from other parts of Alaska. Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. designated the Shrine of St. Thérèse as a place of prayer for pilgrims unable to travel to Rome in his letter regarding Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope.

Karen Van Keuren said she and other parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle mission in Ninilchik “felt it would be meaningful to visit.” In time, she would join a group of other women from the mission to take a pilgrimage to the shrine.

Van Keuren and her family moved to Ninilchik on the Kenai Peninsula in 2022. She said that “joining on this pilgrimage helped me feel more connected to God and to the other ladies in our church.” 

“One of the women at St. Peter the Apostle won a cabin stay at the shrine,” Van Keuren said. This woman invited her prayer group “to use it. She offered to let us split the cost, and two other women generously shared Alaska Airlines mileage points to help with airfare. With that support, the opportunity came together naturally.” They began planning in January 2025, then started their journey the following August. 

The group of nine pilgrims included parishioners from St. Peter the Apostle and one from St. Andrew parish in Eagle River. They met at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage and boarded full flights. 

When they landed, they headed out to the shrine, and arrived at their cabin. But there was one issue.

“When we arrived at the cabin, we were greeted by a mama bear and her cub and waited for them to move on before unloading our luggage,” Van Keuren said. 

They unloaded and settled in shortly afterward. 

“Some of the ladies explored the gardens and scenery, while others visited the gift shop. I spent time walking the labyrinth (a winding path for focusing on prayer), which helped me slow down and refocus on the purpose of the pilgrimage,” said Van Keuren. “Then we regrouped and continued to the chapel, enjoying the views along the Stations of the Cross Trail.” 

They stayed at the cabin for three nights. Van Keuren said it “gave me the chance to get to know the other ladies well, and the time we shared made the pilgrimage even more meaningful.”

For Van Keuren, pilgrimage “offers a different kind of faith experience because it involves praying and reflecting together in a shared setting. While faith can be practiced individually or in group settings like Mass, traveling as a group encourages interaction and communal prayer over a longer, more intentional period.” 

There are many reasons to take a pilgrimage to the shrine. One can find the relics of St. Thérèse, St. Ann, St. Dymphna, St. Francis, and St. Maria Goretti. One can follow the Stations of the Cross Trail around beautiful Shrine Island, stop to pray in the Marian and Biblical Gardens, take the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail, pray for the dead in the columbarium, walk the Merciful Love Labyrinth, admire a recreation of Michelangelo’s “Pietà,” pray in the chapel, and more.  

Even though Jubilee Year 2025 has concluded, you can still join the many who pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Thérèse and discover how God reveals Himself in myriad little ways. 

To book a cabin or find out more, see https://www.shrineofsainttherese.org.