22 10 The Holy Family Shrine The basic structure of the Holy Family Shrine was a feature of the estate when the Marian Fathers purchased the property in 1943. It originally served as a garden with a marble statue of St. Joseph holding Baby Jesus in the portico. Today, with the addition of a marble statue of the Holy Family, the shrine honors the dignity and importance of families. As St. John Paul II famously said, “As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.”The Holy Family stands as a model par excellence of what it means to serve the Lord as a domestic church. Pilgrims find in the Holy Family Shrine a peaceful place to meditate on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and invoke their intercession. Many create memorials to remember family members or commemorate special occasions. Memorials are carved in pavers surrounding the shrine or etched on the blue stained-glass windows. shrine. The stained-glass windows on the wings of the façade depict the Seven Joys and Sorrows of Our Lady. On the center façade, different elements show the connection between the Divine Mercy message and the Marian Fathers. Memorial opportunities are available here and at the Holy Family Shrine.
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