The meaning of a shrine

Pope Paul VI described (1965) Shrines as "spiritual clinics" and "testimonies of miraculous deeds and of a continual wave of devotion" (1966).

In 1970 Pope Paul VI described Shrines as "luminous stars in the Church's sky........centres of devotion, of prayer, of recollection, of spiritual refreshment".

Pope Paul VI recommended that Shrines have a program of sacramental and pastoral activity and that they be centres of religious intensity.

What are the effects of a Shrine:

A Shrine may help to cultivate a sense of God's beauty revealed in Mary.

A Shrine may be the place where the mysterious relationship between God's call and the response of a person is manifested. It could, perhaps, lead to vocations.

A Shrine could inspire a pilgrim to sponsor a work of charity such as a home for the sick, a retirement centre or a school for the disadvantaged.

Or to a respone to a wish close to the heart of Our Blessed Lady, such as the deepening of ones prayer life, bringing one into much closer relationship with Her Divine Son.