Diocese Celebrates Local Feast of Our Lady of La Leche
October 5, 2016 • Diocese of St. Augustine

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, a series of events will be celebrated as part of the feast of Our Lady of La Leche – a diocesan feast day approved by the Vatican in 2012.

The devotion to Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine dates back to 1577. It is the oldest devotion to Mary as the “Nursing Mother” in the United States. For more than 400 years, Our Lady of La Leche has drawn pilgrims and visitors to this beautiful shrine where they have sought her intercession for a safe pregnancy and delivery, for the gift of fertility, for healing, for families as well as in thanksgiving for prayers answered.

bishopestevezolllshrinesantafe-600x900Plan to celebrate the beauty of this devotion to the Blessed Mother:

  • 10:00 a.m. – A talk by Dr. Mary Soha entitled, “Our Lady of La Leche: Mother of America over the Centuries”
  • 11:00 a.m. – Rosary
  • 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation
  • 6:00 p.m. – Mass with Father Ivan Carrillo-Paris, ICC, rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche
  • 7:15 p.m. – Concert in honor of Our Lady by Voices of Saint Augustine

The public is invited to attend at no charge. For details, call Joanna Stark at (904) 824-2809 or email jstark@dosafl.com. Click here for flyer.

Bishop Estévez Dedicates Santa Fe Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

Bishop Felipe Estévez will join the faithful of the western counties of the Diocese of St. Augustine in High Springs to officially dedicate the Santa Fe Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

  • The feast of Our Lady of La Leche begins with a morning Mass at 8:30 celebrated by Father Sebastian George, CMI, at St. Madeleine Catholic Church, 17155 NW U.S. Highway 441 in High Springs.
  • At 3 p.m. there will be a Mass for pilgrims in the Shrine Church presided by Father Arnaldo Bazan.
  • At 6:30 p.m. Bishop Estévez will bless the new Marian Grotto on the shrine property.
  • At 7:00 p.m. Bishop Estevez will be the main celebrant of Mass in the Shrine Church, which is by invitation only due to space. Additional seating will be available at St. Madeleine’s Church where the dedication Mass will be live-streamed for those without an invitation.
  • A reception will follow in the Family Life Center at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, call (386) 454-2358 or email: stmadeleinoffice@windstream.net. Click here for flyer.