The decision to go on pilgrimage was made at the last minute and I am sure neither of us knew for sure the reason for going. Perhaps we didn't need a reason or perhaps we would find it once we arrived at the shrines only previously seen on the internet.
Stop 1
Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Bellevue Ohio
The GPS system in the car insisted we had arrived at our destination. But before us was a lone house and acres of crops ripening in the summer sun. Back around we turned the car and retraced our steps with no luck. I will admit I was skeptical when my companion suggested driving on past the point the GPS told us to stop at, yet several miles further there was the entrance to the shrine, marked with a large sign.
After parking the car we noticed a large number of trees toppled over in the parking lot. Soon we spotted a friendly priest who informed us the area was hit by a tornado a few days back and most of the shrine was closed off. The main church was open, so we took time to pray and then browsed the gift shop.
Plans don't always work out to the last detail. It sometimes hard to remember that all the details of life and love are part of a larger journey. So perhaps this was a fitting start to the pilgrimage.
The church was a peaceful retreat from the summer sun. The coolness of the interior lulling us into quiet prayer and meditation.
Stop 2
National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey Ohio
Dazzled by the Byzantine style interiors of the basilica, downstairs we were moved to tears of awe and inspiration at the sight of crutches and casts, splints and supports. All these being arranged around the chapel of the lower level, set amongst candles and statues of saints and the Blessed Mother. And then we saw the endless notes of thanks tucked in around the statues and shrines, accompanied by an equally endless amount of requests for intercession.
We took places among the pews and prayed. And I thought of the Communion of Saints.
Each one of us on earth or in heaven are united as one body. We pray as one and help as one. This is awesome!
Stop 3
Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein Ohio
In the distance we kept seeing steeples topped with crosses long before arriving at our destination. At times it seemed like cross topped steeples were visible all around. By excited agreement we decided to drive towards some and see just what they are. To our surprise we found soaring Catholic houses of worship amongst the farmland of Ohio. But why so many?
The reason: We were in the Land of the Cross Topped Churches A rural area of Ohio with a very large concentration of Catholic churches. Soaring red brick churches with steeples climbing high over the tree line.
Driving along these country roads and spotting cross topped churches in the distance was a sort of pilgrimage in itself. We found great joy in picking out a cross in the distance and driving towards it.
At Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics we found the second largest collection of relics in the U.S.A. Housed in a former convent the shrine looks out over the surrounding countryside. We took time explore the museum that tells the history of convent life and is a must see in and of itself. The religious community that once resided here was self sufficient making their own soap, growing food and even making vestments and religious art to support the community. The sisters have long moved away and the few that are left live some distance from the original mother house. I did happen to meet a nun from the order and we had a chance to talk and look around the shrine. She invited us to join the mid day prayer.
We gathered in the chapel for mid day prayer and prayed aloud, together. I can't emphasize enough the word "together". We prayed together.
We are one body in heaven and on earth, praying together. We are one family praying together. Together we lift our voices in prayer. Together we sing hymns of praise. Together, we love and help one another. Together.
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