Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Holy Family Shrine


At Gretna, Nebraska, between Omaha and Lincoln is the Holy Family Shrine. Located beside Interstate 80, the shrine was built by the Catholic Church as a place for pilgrims to have a spiritual experience. Regular masses are held at the shrine and people may schedule special masses. 
The glass encased shrine sits on a small knoll overlooking the stark Nebraska Prairie. 


In front of the shrine is a large crucifix. According to the shrine's web page information HOLY FAMILY SHRINE including the pedestal the shrine stands forty-feet over the prairie.  It weighs 2,820 pounds and is welded from stainless steel tubing. Michael Montag made the over eight-foot figure of Christ with a lost wax process. The  crucifix, alone, is forty feet, representing the forty days of Lent.  
I thought it particularly appropriate to have this post during Christian Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.


My next post will take us along the Platte River to see Sandhill cranes.

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