The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico beckon. The golden sand glistens in the sun. From Naples and Marco Island, to Fort Myers and Sarasota, so many lasting memories are made on the beaches and piers of Florida’s west coast destinations.
Step into classical European Catholicism in Sarasota
Sarasota is well known for its beaches, thriving arts scene and as the home for five different Major League Baseball teams during spring training.
The Ringling complex combines a circus museum, art gallery and re-created Venetian palazzo all set within gorgeous grounds. The Art Museum hosts one of the largest collections of Italian Baroque art in the United States, including many classic Catholic paintings. Entering the museum, visitors are greeted by five immense paintings by the Dutch master Rubens celebrating the glory of the Eucharist (this was part of a series of seven paintings, the remaining ones are found in the Louvre). For the kids, there is also the adjoining Circus Museum, a one of its kind destination that tells the story of how the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey built the “greatest show on earth.”
A short drive away is the parish church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. The parish has the only shrine to St. Padre Pio in south Florida. Moreover, it possesses a special relic of Padre Pio. It is a drop of the saint’s blood from his stigmata, that fell on an altar in Italy and landed in the shape of a heart. This first class relic can be venerated by visitors to the church.
Enter a truly Catholic community
Naples and Marco Island are other popular west coast destinations. Many visitors are attracted by the world class dining and high end shopping found in its neighborhoods. It is also a base for exploring the Florida Everglades.
The town of Ave Maria, about a 45 minute drive from Naples, is a planned community that is very intentionally Catholic. Where else can you walk through the town center along streets named for Pope John Paul II, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Our Lady? The town square is centered around the massive Ave Maria Church; across the street is the perpetual adoration chapel. The campus of Ave Maria University is also worth exploring, before stopping for some pizza, ice cream or Mexican treats at one of the many cafes and restaurants lining the town center. Of particular note is the Mother Teresa Museum, located on the university campus. The 3,000 square foot museum contains numerous artifacts and displays on the life of the saint of the gutters, and even a re-creation of her room.
CATHOLIC CONCIERGE 
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