Visitors to the National Shrine will find many improvements to mark its 65th anniversary year, made possible by generous donations from Marian Helpers to last year’s Urgent Appeal. Inside the Shrine chapel, a magnificent altar rail (above) carved in Italy from white Carrara and brown Onice Ambra marble surrounds the sanctuary. It was installed by King Richard’s Liturgical Design & Contracting and blessed by Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, rector of the Shrine, on Feb. 15, the feast of Bl. Michael Sopoćko, priest confessor of St. Faustina. “The new altar rail matches the altars and remnants of the previous altar rail in the Shrine,” explains Fr. Matthew. “In the 1970s the altar rail was removed as the Marians needed to make more room in the sanctuary for the new altar used for Mass facing the people and a more substantial wooden ambo. In 2023, our Marian Provincial Council unanimously approved moving forward with a project to restore the altar rail.” Sacred threshold By embracing the sanctuary, where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated, the altar rail is not a separation but a connection, Fr. Matthew notes. “It is the sacred threshold where the laity are invited to encounter God with the Communion of Saints at the distribution of Holy Communion, kneeling in humble adoration to receive the true Bread of Heaven, just as the saints and angels worship the Lamb of God (Rev 4:10) at the marriage banquet of Heaven.” In addition to promoting reverence for the Holy Eucharist, the altar rail, sometimes called “The People’s Altar,” is also practical. “It facilitates not only a more reverent distribution of Holy Communion, but also a more efficient way,” Fr. Matthew says. “Whether the communicant is standing or kneeling, it is quicker for the priest to keep moving to distribute to the next person who is prayerfully waiting to receive their heavenly food from their spiritual father, representing Christ.” Renovations Other improvements to the National Shrine include renovations to Memorial Hall, the downstairs space for gatherings and the overflow Mass crowd, and the Welcome Center next door, where pilgrims can learn more about Divine Mercy and the many devotional areas on the Eden Hill campus. To learn more about the National Shrine and plan your pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year of Hope, visit ShrineofDivineMercy.org. 24 Marian Helper • Summer 2025 • Marian.org
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