Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine

A Proposed Environmental Sculpture

               CONCEPT

1.         LOCATION

The Rosary Shrine will be situated on approximately 20 beautiful acres in a nature conservancy. An already established retreat grounds would be ideal. I envision it blending gracefully with a stream which meanders gently through its dales, its rolling hills are amply treed with a variety of species, and its spacious meadows are bordered by all manner of shrubbery.  This project will be an environmental sculpture.  Located in a beautiful, natural, God-made setting, it will have minimal environmental impact upon its surroundings.

2.         ENTRANCE

Entering the grounds through a simple fieldstone arch, you will find generous parking for private vehicles as well as a bus turnabout.  You will be pleasantly surprised by the efficient yet simple scale of the parking facilities, and by the architecture of the log-structured reception building ahead of you.  There you will find ample facilities to refresh yourself and to prepare yourself for your spiritual retreat with Our Blessed Lady of the Holy Rosary.

3.         RECEPTION

Within the reception area you will find all the amenities needed for a visit be it for just a few hours or a for whole day. Near the entrance you will find a well-appointed model of the Rosary Shrine, and a small Chapel where you can pray.  The model will also locate for you the day-care centre and recreational facilities as well as medical and  sanitation locations. 

In addition to greeting visitors, the reception area will provide amenities such as hot and cold drinks, water, baby needs, film, religious books and souvenirs.  It will also provide facilities for staff and for special needs including services for the handicapped and wheelchair access. For the children, a day-care centre and a nearby supervised playground with a children's arts and craft's facility will be available.

4.         ROSARY PATH

Once you have signed the visitor's book, you will pass through the entrance leading directly to the Rosary Path.  About seventy feet along the path you will see a large elevated wooden crucifix denoting the beginning of the Most Holy Rosary.  Here begins your Spirit-filled journey with Our Blessed Mother Mary and our Lord, Jesus Christ.  As you walk along the pathway, you will joyfully pray and meditate as you have never done before.  You will set your own pace and cadence.  However, if you find yourself slowing because of the sheer size and distance between beads, you will discover an unexpected blessing of being able to meditate that much more deeply upon the mysteries of the Rosary. 

As you pass the large crucifix you will note the splendour of the beautiful flower gardens dotting the Rosary Shrine.  You will find benches and gazebos to rest, to meditate, or to read while soothing meditative music gently bathes the trees and the grounds.  Serving as shelters during inclement weather, each gazebo will be screened with stained glass windows at the back and bench seating around the perimeter.  Each will be equipped with drinking fountains and emergency telephones, and will be wheel-chair accessible. Several convenient and well-marked  sanitation facilities will be found along the path.

Walking the Rosary Path, there will be no need to hurry or to rush.  On the contrary, a leisurely pace is encouraged.  Approaching a Hail-Mary bead or an Our- Father bead and finding someone there kneeling in prayer, you may choose to wait on a nearby bench, in the gazebo, or even on the surrounding lawn.  If you must go on, you might simply say the prayer while standing and then move on.

While kneeling at a Rosary Bead, you will find yourself facing inward toward the centre of the grounds where you will see life-size sculptures beautifully depicting each of the mysteries.  Located along the Rosary Path, you will find various life-sized statues of Our Lady depicting her many titles.  Quaint lamp stands will mark the path for evening use.

Upon completing your Rosary, you will find a rest area where you can sit or kneel to pray, or just take in the beauty of the large central fountain.  Coins for the poor can be cast into the pond.  You may also wish to take time out to visit our chapel located in the reception area ─ a wooden structure simple and Holy. There will also be an outside altar.

The environmental sculpture of the Rosary with its many sculptures, fountain and resting spots will provide you with an unforgettable experience which will beckon your return many times.  Having now experienced Our Holy Mother's gift of the true meaning and value of the Rosary, you will never again say the Rosary hurriedly and absent-mindedly.

5.         IN UNION WITH MARY:

Come, come to the Shrine of the Most Holy Rosary and the Spirit will come and enkindle your heart. Our aim, from inception has been to save souls, to love and feed the poor, and to renew the faith of Christians and of Christian families.  With the generous support of our friends, we believe that we can best serve God by supporting and spreading devotion to our Blessed Mother and to praying the Rosary daily.  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

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