Tucked away near Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church offers a serene sanctuary in an area otherwise known for summer fun. There are no grand cathedrals or stained glass — just an outdoor altar, a rotating sculpture of Mary and a vast collection of relics few know about. Visitors come for many reasons, but most leave with something unexpected: a moment of peace and a quiet encounter with faith.
The shrine is rooted in both vision and necessity. In the early 1980s, Father Fred Barnett was the parish priest at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Gravois Mills, Missouri. With the region’s popularity as a vacation destination, Mass attendance would swell in the warmer months, often overflowing the small church building.
“Given the space available, he realized — you know what, we really need a bigger place to celebrate Mass,” said Andrew Wright, the shrine’s executive director. “He had the idea: Wouldn’t it be great to have an outdoor grotto, for lack of a better word, to help accommodate the crowds?” That idea took root in 1984, eventually becoming something much more than a solution to seasonal crowding.
What emerged was a sacred space devoted to Mary and to motherhood — and ultimately, to the spiritual renewal of all who step onto its grounds. “It was really his vision,” Wright said of Father Barnett. “He had a deep devotion to Mary and truly adored her. He really wanted to highlight the beauty of motherhood, the preciousness of life and the integrity of the family.”
At the heart of the 63-acre shrine stands a 14-foot-tall sculpture of Mary as a young woman, with her arms stretched out in a welcoming gesture. The sculpture slowly rotates 360 degrees to symbolize Mary’s embrace reaching everyone, in every direction. The decision to depict her in this nontraditional way was intentional. “We wanted to present Mary as open and approachable,” Wright said. “She’s here to welcome all.”
Another unique feature of the shrine is a black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 5,000 mothers, living and deceased. “We all have women in our lives who have shaped who we are and influenced our faith,” Wright said. “That wall stands as a beautiful testament; with each new name added, the sacredness of the space deepens.” All mothers whose names are inscribed on the wall are remembered in the shrine’s daily prayer intentions.
A space set aside for prayer
Beyond the sculpture and altar is another unexpected treasure: a collection of more than 170 relics available for veneration. “We’re blessed to include relics of the True Cross, including a piece of the Crown of Thorns,” Wright said. “We have relics from saints like Mother Cabrini and St. Francis of Assisi, as well as several popes and many martyrs.”
For Wright, guiding visitors through the relic collection is one of his greatest joys. “People spot saints they’ve chosen for confirmation or recognize names they’re familiar with,” he said. “I’ve had people break down crying, just overwhelmed by the presence of the saints.”
Some encounters go even deeper. “We’ve had a couple of people come forward and share that they were in very dark places — thinking about suicide, feeling like they were at their last breath — and when they knelt before the statue of Mary at the grotto and prayed, they felt a powerful intervention. They credit that moment with saving their lives.”
Wright believes that such conversions speak to the importance of places like this. “There’s a real need for sacred spaces like shrines,” he said. “Not just parks or quiet spots, but spaces specifically set aside for prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal.”
‘I want you to know my mother more’
Mass is held outdoors at the shrine on Saturday evenings and early Sunday mornings from Memorial Day through Labor Day. “It’s such a beautiful landscape and a powerful experience, being able to attend Mass outdoors, under the canopy of trees,” said Wright. “One parishioner once told me, ‘I never feel more Catholic than I do when I’m at Mass at The Shrine of Mary.’ That really captures the spirit of the place.”
But the shrine is open to all; its visitors include not just practicing Catholics, but also the curious and the weary. “I think people come with whatever is on their hearts,” Wright said. “Whether it’s curiosity, hardship or just a need for a place of refuge and prayer — a sanctuary to block out the world for a little while — I hope they find a sacred space here.”
As a designated National Shrine and a stop on the Diocese of Jefferson City’s Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage, the site is gaining visibility. Visitors can collect commemorative stamps in a special passport as they journey to all five sites in the diocese.
In addition, with the recent election of the first American pope bringing new energy to the Catholic community, Wright sees that reflected in the shrine’s growing attendance. “People are seeking out spiritual experiences, and we’re seeing more pilgrims than ever,” he said. “It’s a special moment for the Church and for us.”
Looking ahead, Wright’s goal is simple: to bring people closer to Mary — and through her, to Jesus. “I got a call to come work here, and it felt like one of those moments where you ask, ‘Is this where you want me to be, Lord?'” he recalled. “And I felt his answer was, ‘Yes. I want you to know my mother more and to bring people to me through her intercession.'”
In the heart of Missouri, under open skies and nestled in quiet woods, that mission continues, one peaceful encounter at a time.
This content has been brought to you in partnership with The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church.
