The Holy Family Shrine Is A Catholic Pilgrimage Site You Have to See to Believe
We are officially in Advent, which means we are traveling to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
Since this season and next are all about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, it makes sense that the Feast of the Holy Family takes place later this month (December 29th).
Jean Bourdichon via Wikimedia Commons
To commemorate the Feast of the Holy Family, let us make a virtual pilgrimage to the Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Nebraska:
On a mission to "cultivate a Catholic environment of prayer, beauty and simplicity that allows the Holy Spirit to act in the hearts of all who visit," the Holy Family Shrine is a one-of-a-kind work of art that has to be seen to be believed.
Inspired by the kind of divine intervention that only comes from the Holy Spirit, the Holy Family Shrine was designed to be a respite for those looking to deepen their faith, which is easy to do in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Holy Family Shrine
When you visit the Holy Family Shrine, you will discover several unique environments, beginning with the awe-inspiring Chapel.
Constructed of Western red cedar and glass, there is no place more beautiful to celebrate mass than the Chapel.
Mass at the Chapel is celebrated every Saturday at 10 a.m.
After taking in the splendor of the Chapel, you are invited to the Visitor's Center, which includes a "Shroud of Christ" sculpture, information on the shrine's history, and a gift shop.
No matter the weather, you will want to walk the Way of the Cross, a Stations of the Cross that spans the same distance Christ walked while carrying the cross.
While you will want to explore every bit of the Holy Family Shrine, you absolutely do not want to miss the larger-than-life outdoor Crucifix, which stands 40 feet tall (one foot for each day of Lent) and weighs a massive 2,820 pounds.
To learn more about the Holy Family Shrine, including hours of operation and retreat information, please visit their website.