The growth of the spiritual structure of Divine Mercy in America is, indeed, a marvel of God’s grace. It is a sign that its origin is Divine, for no human work could move so far by its own accord. The change and progress appear unbelievable. The Shrine, once a small side chapel, is now an imposing edifice visible for miles around, standing proudly on the heights of Eden Hill overlooking the majestic hills and valleys of the Berkshire mountains, calling all of God’s children to imbibe and refresh themselves, in the peace and tranquility of God’s Holy Love, uniting themselves with the Marian spirit on the heights with Our Lady of Eden Hill. Sixty-five years. Think of it! Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit every year, so that means at least 2 million people have experienced in person this spiritual oasis, seeking to draw closer to the Divine Mercy Himself by means of prayer and the Sacraments. That doesn’t include those who visit the Shrine daily online for Mass, the Chaplet, and the Rosary via our livestreams — numbering in the hundreds of thousands! Truly, our National Shrine — constructed in part by the Marian Fathers and brothers themselves — is the jewel of Eden Hill. But like any grand individual of advancing years, it needs sprucing up. Improvements Today, the Marian Fathers urgently request your assistance to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the chapel. With your help, in honor of the National Shrine’s 65th anniversary, we will raise $650,000. Those funds will go toward the following: • Install an altar rail. Especially during this time of National Eucharistic Revival, we are reminded of the importance of reverence when receiving Holy Communion. • Install air conditioning. If you’ve ever visited the National Shrine during the heat of a Berkshire summer, you’ll understand the need. • Remodel and expand the Welcome Center. Located next to the National Shrine, the Welcome Center will become more informative and interactive. • Refinish, repair, or replace exterior and interior doors, to keep the weather out and the temperate air in. • Repair and tune the National Shrine organ. Brother Ken’s music enhances our daily and Sunday Masses! • Replace carpeting in the National Shrine vestibule. There’s a lot of foot traffic and it takes quite a beating, especially during Berkshire winters. • Replace the ceiling in Memorial Hall, downstairs from the chapel, where meetings are held and Mass is broadcast for the visitor overflow. • Exterior improvements: repair the front steps to the National Shrine; improve the plaza out front; and enhance the landscaping around the building. If, by God’s grace, we exceed our goal, every dollar above and beyond our needs for the National Shrine will be used to make physical improvements to Eden Hill for the benefit of our pilgrims and Marian Fathers. Safe and sacred We know that many of our pilgrims come here to Eden Hill in spiritual crisis. We know that many come to pray for loved ones or simply to give thanks for the presence of God in their lives. Many graces are received here, including physical and spiritual healings. We owe it to our pilgrims — and to God Himself, who has entrusted us with this mission of spreading Divine Mercy — to provide a safe and sacred experience. The projects we have identified will go a long way toward achieving those ends, honoring the extraordinary 65-year legacy of the National Shrine. Thank you in advance, and from the bottom of my heart, for prayerfully considering making a gift. Through your prayers and support today, you join us in our efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience here on Eden Hill. Marian Helper • SuMMer 2024 • Marian.org 19 The National Shrine under construction, 1959. We invite you to make a donation to our Urgent Appeal for improvements to the National Shrine of e Divine Mercy. Please visit Marian.org/b62.
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