Ave Maria Grotto -- Cullman, Ala.

Destination: The Ave Maria Grotto is an off-the-beaten-path treasure north of Birmingham, Ala., on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Ala. It is the work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk. Originally from Landschutt, Bavaria, Germany, he created “A World in Miniature” during his time in the United States.

Mass is not regularly offered to the public at the grotto. 

Photos: Top -- A detailed miniature of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, created in 1953, is part of a larger landscape of religious and historically significant structures begun by Brother Joseph Zoettl, OSB, at the only Benedictine Abbey in Alabama.  (Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld).

Middle -- A bust of the grotto designer, Brother Joseph, is visible on the grounds.

Bottom -- A visitor looks at the main display at the Ave Maria Grotto. Several benches are in the grassy area across from the grotto.

Why to go: Brother Joseph’s work has been open to the public since 1934. Volunteers maintain the grounds, and some have created additions to the grotto in the style of Brother Joseph’s original work. 

The 125 miniatures created of stone, cement and recycled materials such as broken plates, costume jewelry, shells and more are set in a beautifully landscaped hillside at the abbey. They include stand-alone sculptures representing elements of the lives of the Holy Family, as well as models of famous locations from around the world.

The last miniature Brother Joseph created was of the Lourdes Basilica Church, which he made in 1958 when he was 80.

Admission: Costs start at $10 for adults and drop from that. Tickets are available in the gift shop. Check the website for holiday closings.

Accessibility: There are some bumps to navigate, and some of the ramps are a bit steep. But with care, nearly everyone should be able to get around the grotto. The website says the grotto is not wheelchair accessible. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: If the weather is nice, this is a great place to plan a family picnic on a road trip. 

Info: Address — Ave Maria Grotto 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, Cullman, Alabama 35055   
Phone — 256-734-4110   
Website — https://www.avemariagrotto.com/

— Sharon Boehlefeld wrote this story after visiting the grotto. 

Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - Mobile, Ala.

Destination: If your snowbird or summer travels include a car trip to the southeast, plan a route through Mobile, Ala., to see its Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It was designated a basilica in 1962.
Masses are offered several times every day at the basilica. Check the website (below) for details.
Why to go: Pre-dating the Civil War, the cornerstone was laid in 1835 and the completed cathedral was dedicated in 1850. Its website says, “An heroic challenge was set by Bishop (Michael) Portier in laying foundations for a church 162 feet in length and 90 feet in width.” Over the years, Alabama Catholics tried to keep the promise of its original plan, “sometimes following the original plan, but also in response to circumstances such as the fire of 1954 that could have destroyed the whole structure.” There are strong midwestern ties to the cathedral basilica, too.
In 2001, exterior maintenance included repairs and facade cleaning. In 2003, interior restoration “included artistic enhancements by the Conrad Schmitt Company of New Berlin, Wis.” Among them were gold-leaf on the columns, repainting of the vaulted ceiling, which includes the fleur de lis and the shamrock, representing the French and Irish heritage of the Catholic population of Mobile, and new Carrara marble on the floor of the main aisle and the two side aisles.
Its original organ, completed in 1858, was destroyed in the 1954 fire. In 1957, a new organ, custom-built by Wicks Organ Company of Highland (Ill.) was installed. In 2000, the Wicks Company restored the organ console with new keyboards, pedalboard, key and pedal contacts, and drawknobs.
(Photo courtesy The Catholic Week of the Archdiocese of Mobile)

(Grand) Kid friendly: The basilica welcomes families

Info: Address — Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (office), 2 South Claiborne St., Mobile, AL 36602
Phone — 251/434-1565
Website — http://www.mobilecathedral.org
—  Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament -- Hanceville, Ala.

(Observer photos/ http://olamshrine.org)

Destination: The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament was the home of Mother Angelica, the founder of the EWTN media ministry, and of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration. The shrine is about an hour away from the EWTN studios.
Masses are offered Mondays at 7 a.m.; Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7 a.m. and noon; and Sundays at 7 and 10 a.m.
Why to go: The shrine church and monastery are modeled on Italian churches of the 13th century, when St. Francis began his evangelism and founded his orders. The shrine’s piazza allows vistors to make a symbolic transition from their hectic day-to-day lives to the silence of prayer and liturgy.
A monstrance, more than 7 feet tall, dominates the main church and makes the Blessed Sacrament visible to vistors in the church and the nuns who live there, but who pray on the other side of the reredos (the decorative altar screen).
The lower crypt chapel houses crypts of deceased Poor Clare nuns. Visitors are welcome to pray there.
Another stop: If you plan to visit the shrine, the EWTN studios are also open. You can tour the facilities or sit in on show tapings. The EWTN grounds are also home to the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA) Friary.
You can arrange pilgrimages for groups or individuals at either place by emailing pilgrimages@ewtn.com or phoning, 205/271-2966.
Amenities: The El Niño Gift Shop at the shrine is open Monday through Saturday, 8:15 a.m-4:45 p.m. (The Religious Catalogue Shoppe at EWTN is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.)
(Grand) Kid friendly: The whole family is welcome, but everyone is asked to be silent in the main church and lower crypt church. Comfortable dress is fine, but sleeveless tops, tank tops, shorts, or skirts above the knee are discouraged. Women may wear slacks or jeans. Visitors are asked not to leave Mass in the main church until exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the nuns have finished singing. Taking photos is also prohibited in the churches.
Info: Address —  Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3222 County Road 548, Hanceville, AL 35077  Phone — 205/271-2917 Website — http://olamshrine.org
— CNS; Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org