Our Lady of Consolation
Catholic, Shrines January 1st, 2006
Today I ventured to Carey, Ohio once again to visit the
National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation. This is a very special place for me, as a quick glance under the category "Catholic, Shrines" will show (on sidebar or bottom of this post). Last time, I went to join their confraternity; today I went to ask Our Lady’s intercessions for physical healing.
David, Jennifer, and I left somewhat early and naturally stopped at Speedway beforehand. The trip up was nice and on the way we stopped and looked at the Pontifical College Josephinum, the only seminary in the US under direct Vatican control. Surprisingly it’s located in Columbus, Ohio. Go figure.
When we arrived in Carey, we were disappointed to find that the bookstore was closed. However, they were doing devotions at least, which was the main reason we visited. We went into the main church building and I was shocked and I mean shocked: the shrine was completely decked out for Christmas. Granted my experience with Catholic parishes is somewhat limited, but this was the most beautiful example of Christmas decorating I’d ever seen! They had greenery everywhere, much of it lighted. They had (at my count) 10 lighted Christmas trees in the main shrine area alone. As someone who loves God, Mary, Christmas and shrines, I was in heaven.
I took some pictures, but mainly focused on prayer and devotion since I was here for spiritual reasons. Devotions started at 2:30pm and were awesome. They began with a rosary; then Fr. John-Raphael (Conventual Franciscan) gave an excellent homily on the
Blessed Mother. Next, they had Eucharistic adoration with the Divine Praises. Finally, they ended with a healing service that included being touched with a relic of the true cross.
After this, I took out the handy pilgrimage booklet and visited each altar, petitioning God and asking various Saints and the Blessed Mother to entreat our Lord on my behalf. I finally said my farewells to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, knowing that I have a loving Mother to intercede on my behalf to her all-powerful Son.
Before I left I filled up 6 bottles of holy water. No, they’re not all for me! However, I like to have physical reminders of my visits. No Gnosticism for me, thanks. On the way home we looked at many Christmas lights and God’s natural lights in some amazing sunsets. I just wish Carmel would’ve been here. Next year for sure!
If you’re ever in the Carey, Ohio area (somewhat close to Toledo and Columbus) and are a devoted Catholic, I highly recommend you visit.
Photos of the shrine by Jonathan Bennett. The real beauty comes from others; I just try to capture a glimpse of it.
January 2nd, 2006 at 10:33 am
FYI, each Good Friday there is a “Walk for Life” to the Carey shrine, from St. Nicholas church in Frenchtown.
Details here:
http://www.catholic-church.org/cyss/youth/docs/WFL%20Flyer.pdf
January 5th, 2006 at 1:33 am
Thank you for the wonderful photos… they capture the beauty and magnificence of the shrine. I hope one day I can pay a visit to Our Lady of Consolation. I’ve never heard of it before but thanks be to God, through you, I now have a reason to go to Ohio.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jonathan.
January 6th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Carmel was right, the pictures are glorious!
I have added you to my blog roll! Treat her right, or the blog mob may come after you! LOL! congrats, you got yourself one good woman!
January 7th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Sprite,
I am lucky to have Carmel for sure! She’s the best! And I treat her right because she deserves it, but the blog mob is in the back of my mind now too, lol. Thanks for adding me. I like your blog a lot and have added you!