This week’s Faith on the Road takes us to our final location in St. Augustine, Florida – The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. “America’s First Marian Shrine”
Five ships sailing from Spain arrived at this small cove on the coast of Florida.
On the feast day of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Spanish sailors, soldiers, tradesmen and priests left their ships and came ashore.
“On Saturday the eighth the General landed with many banners spread, to the sounds of trumpets and the salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a cross and went to meet him, singing the hymn “Te Deum Laudamus.” The General, followed by all who accompanied him, marched up to the cross, knelt and kissed it. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all that they saw done.” Diary of Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales.
Following this veneration of the Holy Cross, Father Lopez celebrated Mass at a rustic altar made of wood on September 8, 1565. The sky served as the roof for what was the first parish Mass in what is now the United States. It was on this sacred ground that the Spanish settlers would begin devotion to Our Lady of La Leche, Nuestra Señora de La Leche y Buen Parto, Mary nursing the infant Jesus.
In the early 1600s, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine established the first Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States.
The location is beautiful. God truly blessed this site to commemorate our Blessed Mother. It sits right against the Atlantic Ocean with blue skies and blue waters highlighting the shrine and exalting in the Blessed Mother.
As you enter the grounds, the tall cross grabs your attention. “The Great Cross” was dedicated in October 1966 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Mission Nombre de Dios. It is made of stainless steel and towers 208 feet above the Matanzas marshes.
The centerpiece of the shrine is a statue of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus, which is a replica of the Our Lady of La Leche statue placed in a cathedral in Spain by Phillip III. The original chapel was destroyed in 1728 during the British siege of St. Augustine and was rebuilt in 1875, though it later suffered damage from a hurricane. The current ivy-covered chapel, which seats about 30 people, was built in 1914 and is a replica of previous chapels.
Fittingly, there is a small memorial to all victims of abortion.
Located in the main building rests a beautiful chapel where you can come to pray or join the celebration Holy Mass. There is also a small gift shop and museum that tells of the history of this location. The site of free to visit.
Thousands of visitors and pilgrims make their way to the Shrine every year. Many ask for the blessings of motherhood, beseeching the intercession of Our Lady of La Leche that God will grant them a safe and happy delivery, and healthy, holy children. Here is a Prayer to Our Lady of La Leche for Motherhood:
Lovely Lady of La Leche, most loving mother of the Child Jesus, and my mother, listen to my humble prayer. Your motherly heart knows my every wish, my every need. To you only, His spotless Virgin Mother, has your Divine Son given to understand the sentiments which fill my soul. Yours was the sacred privilege of being the Mother of the Savior. Intercede with him now, my loving Mother, that, in accordance with His will, I may become the mother of other children of our heavenly Father. This I ask, O Lady of La Leche, in the Name of your Divine Son, My Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
I say this prayer for my sister – join my prayer.
Ed,
I was there two years ago. Amazing, peaceful and beautiful. I loved walking the grounds there.
Enjoy Florida! Hi to Connie!
Jim