On the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2003, the U.S. National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated Mission San Juan Capistrano as a National Shrine. This high honor was in recognition of the Mission’s effective service to the spiritual, liturgical and devotional life of pilgrims from across the United States and the international community. As a National Shrine, Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano is an officially sanctioned and recommended place of pilgrimage. It is dedicated to inspiring and fostering the deeper spiritual renewal sought by religious pilgrims.