National Shrine of The Divine Mercy - Stockbridge, Massachusetts

(Photos courtesy http://thedivinemercy.org)

Destination: The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The shrine is operated by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Masses at the shrine are at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and holy days; 2 p.m., and seasonally at 7:30 a.m., weekdays. The Divine Mercy chaplet, followed by Benediction, is offered at 3 p.m. daily.
Why to go: Begun in 1950 without blueprints, a local Italian builder, guided volunteers, Marian noviates and seminarians through the construction process. The shrine features extensive woodwork, 36 stained-glass windows and two mosaics. Stations of the Cross are from Spain. The altar is crafted of Vermont marble. Above it is the image of Jesus, The Divine Mercy, surrounded by the Apostles, which were carved in northern Italy. Above the image of Jesus is a statue of the Immaculate Conception, made from white Carrara marble.
In a side chapel devoted to her is a bas relief of St. Faustina, also carved in northern Italy. She recorded a series of revelations on Divine Mercy in her diary.
Also on the grounds at the Marian Center is one of the largest indoor candle shrines, and, outdoors, the Immaculate Conception Candle Shrine and Lourdes Grotto.
In honor of the shrine’s 50th anniversary, Pope Benedict XVI has offered a plenary indulgence for pilgrims who visit the shrine any time this year.
It was designated a national shrine in 1996.
Special events: In addition to more  than 15,000 piligrims expected for this year’s Divine Mercy Sunday weekend prayers, the shrine also expects many to attend its special events and services on its golden jubilee celebration, May 29.
Amenities: A gift shop at the shrine is open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Access: Located in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, the site may be challenging for some visitors.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome, but should be mindful of the many who come for silent prayer.
Info: Address — National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, 2 Prospect Hill Road, Eden Hill, Stockbridge, MA 01262 Phone — 413/298-3931 Web — http://thedivinemercy.org/shrine

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine - St. Augustine, Florida

(Photos courtesy of the
Diocese of Saint Augustine)

Destination: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, “America’s First Parish,” is the oldest Catholic parish in the United States.
Masses at the cathedral are at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 7, 9, 11 a.m. and  5 p.m. Sunday.
Why to go: Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés’ expedition from Spain landed in what would become Florida on Aug. 28, 1565. The day he spotted that first land, which is now Cape Canaveral, was the feast of St. Augustine. He decided to name his first settlement after the saint.
Menéndez and his crew sailed further along the coast, eventually stopping in early September at a site called Mission Nombre de Dios (above, left), which is where Father López de Mendoza Grajales celebrated the first Mass of the new settlement. Today’s Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (above, right) is down the street from the site of the first Mass.
In 1586, the English, led by Sir Francis Drake, burned the settlement and the church. By 1786, the Spanish again controlled the area, and the crown ordered a new parish church for St. Augustine be built. The cornerstone was laid in 1793 and the church completed in August 1797.
After an 1887 fire, started in a nearby hotel, damaged the church, the pastor made a nationwide appeal for help in rebuilding. At that time, the church was enlarged and a bell tower added.
A nearby chapel, the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, is the oldest Marian shrine in the U.S.
Special events: At 5:30 p.m. on the Fridays of Lent, the parish hosts a soup supper at the Bishop Baker Center. Stations of the Cross follow.
On March 5 at 6 p.m., the cathedral’s First Friday Art Walk Concert series will feature sopranos Cara and Catie Hutson and Ellen Marini.
Amenities: The Cathedral Bell Tower Gift Shop is located inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and to the left. It is closed during any liturgy, but is otherwise open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10-11 a.m. and noon-5 p.m.
Access: Parking is restricted in several areas around the parish. Check the Web site for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The cathedral is a working parish with a school attached, so children are more than welcome.
Info: Address: Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, 35 Treasury St., St. Augustine, FL 32084. Phone: 904/824-2806. Web: www.thefirstparish.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi - Santa Fe, New Mexico

(Photo provided)

Destination: If you’re about to “motor west,” plan a stop at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, which is celebrating is 400th anniversary in 2010. You’ll be among visitors as distinguised as Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain, who attended a ceremony at the basilica last October to mark the start of celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Santa Fe.
Masses are Sunday — 8 a.m. (Spanish), 10 a.m., noon and 5:15 pm; Monday-Saturday — 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Why to go: The first church on the site of the present-day basilica was built by Franciscan Friars in 1610. The original adobe church has been replaced several times. Construction on today’s building began in 1869 and continued until 1887. The new church was built around the old church. When the new walls were finished, the old church was torn down and removed through the front door.
A Blessed Sacrament Chapel was built in 1967, and in 1987, an altar screen showing famous saints from North and South America was added. In 2009, the church installed a new cross and tower bells.
Stained glass windows in the lower bay are from France and show the 12 Apostles.
One of the oldest features of the basilica is a statue of Mary under the title of “La Conquistadora.” The statue was brought from Spain in 1625 by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscans to help introduce the Catholic faith.
Special events: The parish is sponsoring a Valentine weekend art exhibit and sale Feb. 12-14. Parish artists will offer mixed media, oil, acrylic, watercolor, egg tempera, natural pigments, encaustic wax, wood, metal, fiber and leather, sculpture, clay, photography, glass, jewelry, furniture, drawings and hand-finished prints. Thirty percent of all sales will help reduce the school debt.
The parish’s senior group — Treasures of Wisdom — is sponsoring a series of full-length movies featuring a priest to celebrate the Year for Priests. Movies will be shown at 1 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25.
Amenities: La Conquistadora Gift Shop is located at the front entrance of the Cathedral Basilica and is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4:30 p.m.
Access: Stairs at the street lead up to the church’s front plaza.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As with any church, children are welcome.
Info: Address: 131 Cathedral Place, P.O. Box 2127, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2127 Phone: 505/982-5619 Web: www.cbsfa.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

The Grotto - Portland, Oregon

(Photo provided)

Destination: Known informally as The Grotto, the proper name of this spot is The National Santuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. Located minutes from downtown Portland, the 62-acre site is both shrine and botanical gardens dedicated to Mary. It is administered by the Order of Friars Servants of Mary, USA Province.
Masses are at 10 a.m. (weekly) and noon (May-October, in the Grotto Plaza weather permitting) Sunday; noon weekdays; 8 a.m. Saturday.
Why to go: The informal title derives from a grotto in a cliff wall that holds a white marble copy of Michelangelo’s Pieta. But there are also a number of gardens that feature hundreds of statues, shrines and religious art.
Its acreage includes manicured gardens and paths that provide year-round access to the plaza and upper levels. The plaza level showcases native northwest plants, and the Chapel of Mary. Upper-level gardens, 110 feet above the lower level, sit atop the north face of Rocky Butte.
The shrine is the work of Father Ambrose Mayer, who, as a boy, promised a great undertaking for the Church if God would spare his mother and the baby girl she delivered in a difficult labor. He joined the Servite Order, for whom, in 1918, he was sent to the Archdiocese of Portland. In 1923, when all he had was $3,000, he used the money as a downpayment on a $48,000 site owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Pope Pius XI, in his own handwriting, gave a boost to Father Mayer’s efforts when he offered a Special Apostolic Blessing to all those who “in any way or measure, show their good will and assist in erecting the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland.”
The first Mass, offered May 29, 1924, for the shrine’s dedication, drew 3,000 people.
Special events: The shrine just closed its Advent Festival of Lights. It will also host International Freedom Sunday events on July 4, highlighting the traditions and contributions of the Portland area’s Polish, Croatian, Russian, Korean, Filipino, Hispanic, Eritrean, Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese cultures.
Amenities: A Welcome Center and Gift Shop is open Monday—Sunday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Access: Because of the multi-level terrain, some parts of the shrine might be challenging. The lower level, however, should be accessible to most.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Outdoor sites are always open to younger visitors.
Info: Address: The Grotto, P.O. Box 20008, Portland, OR 97294-0008 Phone: 503/254-7371. Web: www.thegrotto.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of Christ’s Passion - St. John, Indiana

(Photo provided)

Destination: The Shrine of Christ’s Passion near St. John, Ind., is actually home to three shrines: the namesake shrine, the Marian Wayside Shrine and Sanctity of Life Shrine. It is south of U.S. Rt. 30 and not too far east of the Illinois-Indiana stateline.
Mass is not offered at the site, but St. John the Evangelist Church (11301 West 93rd Ave.) in nearby St. John offers  Masses at 6 p.m., Saturday; 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., Sunday; 6:30 p.m., Tuesday; 8:30 a.m., Wednesday-Friday.
Why to go: The main shrine features 40 life-size bronze statues along a half-mile winding path. In addition to the traditional stations, the route has recently added stops for the Last Supper and Jesus’ night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Visitors who watch Chicago television or A&E on cable will recognize the voice of Chicago broadcaster Bill Kurtis, who narrates a recorded story of Christ’s passion at each station.
The lighted path is open year-round, weather permitting. More than 1,000 trees and shrubs, as well as boulders  from Wisconsin, are artfully arranged on the site.
The Marian Wayside Shrine features a larger-than-life statue of Mary.
The  Sanctity of Life Shrine is dedicated to the lives lost through abortion.  A bronze statue of a kneeling Jesus holds the remains of a tiny, aborted baby in his hands.
Amenities: A visitor’s center and religious store are open the same hours as the shrine: Friday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Access: The shrine is handicap-accessible and there is a shelter about halfway into the path. The first 2/3 is on level ground, then, after crossing a bridge, there is an uphill grade with a downhill grade on the return. There are carts available by appointment; check with the visitor’s center.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Because the shrine’s sites are outdoors, it’s a great place to walk through with kids.
Info: Address: Shrine of Christ’s Passion: 10630 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373 Phone: 219/365-6010. Web: www.shrineofchristspassion.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe - Orlando, Florida

(Photo courtesy Florida Catholic files)

Destination: Near the resorts and tourist stops in the Orlando and Tampa, Fla., area, the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe provides a quiet alternative to the bustle that accompanies many family vacations. On June 3, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments granted the shrine the title of Minor Basilica.
Mass is offered at 8 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. on weekdays; 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays; 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. on Sundays and holy days.
Why to go: The shrine developed over the years when the Diocese of Orlando realized it needed a way to minister to the many Catholic visitors to its area. From 1979, Masses were offered in area hotels. But on Dec. 8, 1984, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the diocese broke ground for what would become the shrine.
According to its Web site: “The Shrine’s defining representation (is) of  Mary, Queen of the Universe. A project long delayed as the sculptor, Jill Burkee combed the great quarries of Carrara, Italy, for a block of rare, pure white marble, the completed 8-foot work stands on a marble base and encloses the names of some 3,300 Shrine Associates.”
The shrine is also home to a museum of art, textiles and a relic of St. Desiderius. It is free and open to the public at 10 a.m. daily. Through Nov. 29, it features, “Orientale Lumen,” works of master iconographer Elias Damianakis.
An Outdoor Chapel features a bronze sculpture of the Mother and Child, created by renowned artist Jerzy Kenar. It can be reached along landscaped pathways designed to offer tourists places for quiet relflection and mediation.
The shrine’s Pilgrimage Center tells the history of the Christian Pilgrimage and the place of the Catholic Church in world history. One exhibit also features a tribute to the “Pilgrim Pope,” John Paul II.
Amenities: There is a gift shop on the grounds.
Access: The shrine is generally accessible on one level.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are always welcome at the shrine.
Info: Address: National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, 8300 Vineland Ave., Orlando, FL 32821. Phone: 407/239-6600. Web: http://maryqueenoftheuniverse.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer - Las Vegas, Nevada

(Photo provided)

Destination: Located across from the Luxor Hotel and next to the Tropicana in the heart of Las Vegas, Nev., the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer represents quiet respite from the bustling city.
Mass is offered Saturdays at 4 p.m.; Sundays at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and noon; weekdays 11:30 a.m.
Why to go: In addition to being the largest Catholic church in Nevada — it seats more than 2,000 — the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer is also home to Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel.
This chapel was commissioned by the former Bishop of the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, Most Rev. Daniel F. Walsh, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of the Americas. The chapel is a gift of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.
The altar, lectern, sanctuary lamp, crucifix, and tabernacle are original contemporary works in bronze.
The chapel has three major works of art: an oil painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe which originated in Mexico in the late 17th century; a 4-foot, hand carved statue of St. Joseph and the child Jesus that is approximately 200 years old; and a contemporary mural depicting all of the people of Canada, United States, Mexico, Central and South America who played a significant role in the evangelization of the Americas.
Outside the shrine, there is a statue grouping, “Christ with the Children” (left) and, at the entrance, a bronze statue of Christ (above).
On the inside walls, there is striking three-
dimensional art depicting the annunciation, nativity and baptism of the Lord, as well as the wedding at Cana, washing of feet, and the crucifixion.
Amenities: There is a gift shop that is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m, Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Access: The church is fairly easy to find, and walking distance from several Las Vegas tourist sites.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are certainly welcome at the shrine.
Info: Address: Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, 55 E. Reno Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119. Phone: 702/891-8600. Web: www.lasvegas-diocese.org/parishes_shrine_holy.html

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org