Recently, I had the great fortune to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St Augustine, Florida. I hadn’t planned this visit; suddenly, I saw a beautiful garden, a statue and a cross, and this fantastic historical museum while walking along the street.
For over 450 years, this beautiful shrine with the shining silhouette of the Great Cross has graced what is called the’ sacred acre. ‘ It’s the site of the very first Mass – a heartfelt thanksgiving – held on North American soil on September 1565, 1565. Father Francisco Lopez de Gajales, who traveled with Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, celebrated this special event as they settled what we now know as the historic city of St. Augustine.
I was completely unaware of what was happening. As we stepped into the shrine right when the doors opened, I noticed a friendly docent nearby, preparing for the day’s first tour. For nearly 30 minutes, I felt truly captivated by the story of the Spanish explorers who settled here, their history and power unfolding before me.
Having been on many docent tours, I can say that some are just okay, but this one was truly exceptional—led by someone who was passionate, knowledgeable, and brought history to life in a way that really resonated. Sometimes, unexpected moments like this come along when you least anticipate them. This was definitely one of those special times in my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience.
Are we there yet? 