Things to do in Florida, United States: The Best Missions

Reviewed By MarnetteS - Webster, United States

We were in town for a few days sightseeing. We like to take a city tour first thing to find those attractions we want to explore on our own. Nombre de Dios was one of them. We were ready for a quiet, serene place to spend our last day after the hectic days in town. The setting for the mission is lovely and you can just imagine Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales celebrating the first parish mass in the U.S. as he proclaimed the land in the: "Nombre de Dios" ~ "Name of God." He was the priest who accompanied St. Augustine founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, and the Spanish explorers. These first settlers brought with them a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and established the Holy Virgin’s first sanctuary in the U.S on the grounds. They build a chapel and dedicated it to “Nuestra Senora de La Leche y Buen Parto” ~ “Our Lady of the Milk and Happy/Safe Delivery.” The small chapel is a lovely place to sit, pray and reflect. This shrine has drawn thousands of mothers, mothers-to-be and families. We spent over an hour strolling the grounds and looking at all of the graves and monuments. Especially poignant are the “Seven Sorrows of Mary,” stone grottos along a walkway. Another interesting grave is those of six Sisters of St. Joseph, brought in to teach the slaves after the Civil War. And not to be missed is the 208’ bronze cross, the tallest cross in the Western Hemisphere. A gift from the Vatican, it was capped at that height to avoid the installation of a mandatory aircraft warning light. Is it any wonder, these grounds are called “The Sacred Acre?” We re-crossed the bridge (restored after Hurricane Matthew) and went into the mission church. Perpetual Adoration is held; exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held from Monday through Friday following noon Mass until 2:45 p.m. Daily Mass is held Monday through Saturday at Noon. No Mass on Sunday. Spanish Mass on Saturday at 1:30. Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said Monday through Friday at 2:45 p.m. Confessions are said Monday-Saturday from 11-11:55 a.m. The shrine is open daily from Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. The parking rules are clearly stated: the gates close promptly at the designated time. If you do not remove your car before closing time, you need to wait until the next day. Another short bridge leading directly to the cross is currently closed for repairs. Plans include building a prayer garden in that area. We purchased prayer cards in the gift shop and spent a half hour with Greg who spent time explaining the history of the shrine and its importance to the Church. My husband is a retired professor from a Franciscan university and Greg was knowledgeable about the Franciscan contribution to the mission and Church in Florida. If you go, please take advantage of the docent’s knowledge to understand the importance of this sacred land to the history of the Church. This is a free attraction; donations help support it.