Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle – National Shrine

My hunny an I visited here this past weekend an we had a great experience. I feel such a release of tension right after arriving. I liked that we were able to walk throughout the church then be4 leaving we were able to take home some holly water to bless our home.

This is a very pretty church, I would call it’s style «modern».
Let’s start with the inside, it is actually pretty empty other than some statues and painting here and there. The altar is very beautiful and I really liked the architecture. The inside is huge and there are many planes to sit.
The outside of it is also beautiful. It has a park outside of it complete with a fountain of holy water, which you can use to refill bottles. That was pretty weird to be honest, they even sold bottle so you could refill it. Again the architecture looks beautiful from the outside. There is also a gift shop across the street with many options.
I would recommend coming here, and if you don’t want to go to mass, at least try the gift shop, there might be something you like in there.

We try to make it here once a year (don’t always make it). The grounds are very well kept and as soon as you get out of the parking lot you feel your in a peaceful place. The Basilica is very beautiful well kept despite how many visitors they receive.

An absolutely beautiful shrine! My family and I would make a special trip out to San Juan every Easter for our annual tradition of lighting candles, saying prayers, filling up jugs with holy water, and purchasing unnecessary (yet unique and beautiful) trinkets at the gift shop. Don’t fret if you forgot to pick up a couple of candles to light and offer to the shrine, the gift shop has you covered. Feel like you need a keychain with Jesus on it or a brand new crucifix to adorn your wall? They’ve got you covered in that department, too.
This is the type of place where ANYONE is welcome — a place where people of all different faiths and backgrounds are always encouraged to congregate peacefully and feel closer to God. The grounds are just gorgeous and beautifully maintained, inside and out. The walking trail that surrounds the shrine is an excellent (and educational) way to spend an afternoon, or even a picnic on the grounds would be a nice way to spend your time there.

Food for the soul…
There are places that you visit during your life that leave you with that good, peaceful feeling. The Basilica of San Juan is one of those places. Christians of all denominations would feel good after visiting here.
My soul feels refreshed when I leave this place.
Before you visit, you might want to read up on the history behind the building of the Basilica
The grounds contain a large church, gift shop, rooms for overnight stays, faucets for holy water and other religious buildings.
Services are very crowded but very good.
We will return.

Interesting

The most popular church in the valley. If your into Jesus Christ and the Virgen, check it out. You can check out their website to see the times they have have mass. I went on a Sunday at 9am for the English mass and it was really crowded. I recommend getting there early to get a good seat. After the mass, they bless religious items, so be prepared.