We have many official and unofficial 'trails' to explore here in the great state of Louisiana. I have spent a Saturday afternoon on the boudin trial, traveled along the jazz trail, and of course, if you're thirsty, you can check out the craft beer trail. So of course, we weren't surprised to learn that we have an official Spiritual Trail right here in Acadiana. St Landry Parish, to be exact.

The St Landry Parish tourism office has done a great job of finding places around the parish that aren't necessarily churches, but places to reflect on our heritage and culture. Some of my favorites are below, but be sure to check out the whole list on Cajuntravel.com. This is a perfect day trip to take out of state visitors to, to show them the real beauty and history of Acadiana and Louisiana.

Opelousas:

  • Louisiana Orphan Train Museum.  On the grounds of Le Vieux Village Heritage Park.'Between 1853 and 1930, over 200,000 orphaned children were transported to foster homes in rural areas in the Midwest. Over 2,000 “Orphan Train Riders” came to Louisiana'
  • St Landry Catholic Church and Cemetery. 1020 North Main Street. The second oldest church parish in the Lafayette Catholic Diocese, and home to the popular Cemetery Tours and Re-enactments every October.
  • Michael Prudhomme home. 1152 Prudhomme Circle. Used as Union headquarters in the Civil War, and supposedly the oldest structure still standing in the parish.
  • Holy Ghost Catholic Church. 747 North Union Street. The largest Catholic congregation of African Americans in the United States, and one of the most fun festivals I go to every year - their annual Creole Festival in November.

Washington:

Grand Coteau

  • Academy of the Sacred Heart, and the Shrine of St John Berchman's. 1821 Academy Road. The site of the 'only documented and Vatican-approved miracle in the United States.'
  • St. Charles Borromeo Church & Cemetery. 174 Church Street. The cemetery dates to early 1800's, and the church was built in 1879. It's worth the drive to hear the 3,104-pound bell ringing in the church

Eunice:

 

 

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