By Cindy DeLuca, Activity Director
Each year a group of pilgrims from our Home make a trip to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, otherwise known as Holy Hill. This year’s trip on June 18th began rather eventful with road construction and a thunder storm. Three and half-hours later, we finally arrived! The weather cleared and we soon forgot the travel delays.
We visited various parts to the Shrine. First and foremost we went into the Basilica. The stained-glass windows depict the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Next, we visited the Shrine Chapel which has a rare statue of Mary. Mary offers her Son, Jesus Christ, to all those who kneel before her. The statue was exhibited at the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia. The next stop was to the Chapel of St. Therese, which is used primarily for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Outside, we prayed in front of the Lourdes Grotto which is a reproduction of the scene of the apparitions of Mary to St. Bernadette. This grotto also has holy water available. The final stop was to the Gift Shop!
The following day, I asked Resident Betty Harte how she liked Holy Hill. She said, “I enjoyed ALL of it!”
Holy Hill