The oldest shrine to Our Lady, the Blessed Mother Mary, in the United States is the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, Florida.
Episodes about "16th century"
Ponce de Leon and the First Mass
Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida in April 1513, and the first Mass was offered. Because it was Holy Week he named the land “La Florida.”
Fr. Juan de Padilla, Proto-Martyr of the USA
Fr. Juan de Padilla accompanied Coronado into what is today Kansas and became the first martyr on American soil for his efforts to evangelize.