What Is a Shrine?
A shrine is a sacred place to which the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety. It is a place consecrated for commemoration or devotion to a Saint or holy person. Our Shrine is dedicated to Mary as Mother of the Church and honors all mothers of all faiths. A shrine is considered a place where divine grace is manifested in a very special way.
What Is a National Shrine?
A National Shrine is a sacred place which has met certain requirements prescribed in the ‘Norms for the Designation of National Shrines’ and is given this honor by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in recognition of religious significance. It must be dedicated to promoting the faith of pilgrims by centering on a mystery of the Catholic faith, a devotion based on authentic Catholic tradition, revelations recognized by the Church, or the lives of those in the Church’s calendar of saints.
We obtained the sixteenth National Shrine designation in the United States on March 18, 2003.
Watch the Video of the Sculpture Unveiling
