All the sanctuaries in the world are special. Those of us who visit them know this very well.
Each one holds a story, a grace, an encounter. And in my heart, there are several that occupy a very special place.
The first is the National Shrine of Guayaquil , which I visited as a child. Back then, it wasn't what it is today. There weren't so many halls, a retreat house, a church, etc., not even a cobblestone path leading to it. What made it unique was the ivy that covered its exterior walls, giving it such a distinctive and welcoming atmosphere. Similar at that time to the Original Shrine in Germany. There we experienced retreats, gatherings, picnics… so many moments that are forever etched in my memory and in my heart.
Then came the Sanctuary of Celestial City . I wasn't able to enjoy it for as many years as I might have liked, but even in that relatively short time it became a very special place for me. It was there that I placed a very big decision in our lives at the feet of the Mother: our move to another country and the beginning of a new chapter.
And finally, the Miami Sanctuary arrived.
When we moved here, it didn't exist yet. So Our names were engraved on its walls during its construction, along with those of many other families, as an expression of our longing to have that little piece of heaven that we missed so much from Ecuador.
Over time, fifteen years and a bit more, it has become one of my favorite sanctuaries. My second home. Not because I spend long hours there, but because of the warmth of home, the Grace of Shelter, that I feel every time I arrive.
Its name, “Light and Path to the Merciful Father” , holds a profoundly meaningful message.
As you approach the Sanctuary, something immediately catches your eye: The footprints made by the Founder's shoe mark the path that leads to him. They are not just marks on the ground. They are a profound symbol that Father Kentenich invites us to walk a path of faith, step by step, a path that ultimately leads us to God.
Another element very characteristic of this Sanctuary is the lighthouse, its symbol.
The lighthouse represents guidance, hope, light. That light that we so often need in our lives to avoid losing our way.
In my heart, the lighthouse also has a very personal meaning: it is the light I need in moments of darkness, that light that reminds me where to look when the path seems uncertain.
And finally, there are the palm trees. They are not part of the Sanctuary's name, nor are they its symbol, but they are part of something that makes it unique: the place where it is located: Miami.
The palm trees frame the Sanctuary, surrounding it and silently accompanying it. Over time, they have become part of its identity. Interestingly, they are also part of the Sanctuary of Celestial City, and for me, they are not just part of the landscape, but also witnesses to so many memories and moments that have been etched in my heart.
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