The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - Springtime Senior Celebration

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - Springtime Senior Celebration

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a Roman Catholic shrine devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary located on 80 beautifully landscaped acres in Belleville, Illinois, east of the Mississippi River. The outdoor Shrine was named from the legend that snow fell on the Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome in the summertime.

It's considered one of the largest outdoor shrines in North America, and has become a known beautiful place to visit just across the Mississippi from Saint Louis, Missouri. The Shrine is run by Oblates to Saint Mary, laymen and laywomen who aren't priests and nuns, but devote their labor and time to making spiritual and family programs available to the local community, the Midwest, and the North America region.

It is comprised of a church, an outdoor amphitheater, Stations of the Cross, two Gardens, the Lourdes Grotto, devotional areas, banquet and conference rooms, a family restaurant, a Gift Shop, and the Shrine Hotel. It also offers an Apartment Community for independent retirement and assisted living, and a geriatric center.

Endearingly called The Shrine, it offers programs to minister to the youth and adults, conducts an Hispanic liturgy, and hosts different events year round. It attracts more than 350,000 visitors annually in December to celebrate Advent and Christmas, featuring its well known "Way of Lights," an outdoor display where more than a million white lights decorate the structures, statues, and trees along the way.

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011 from 10:00 A. M. - 3:00 P. M. the Shrine in Belleville, Illinois will host a Springtime Senior Celebration for seniors 50 and older. Several vendors will be there to offer their services. Admission is free. For more information, call 800-682-2879.

05-07-2011