Tag Archives: immaculate

The small chapel of Monte Cassino is located on a steep hill near the Archabbey of Saint Meinrad, in Indiana. Surrounded by trees and panoramic views of the Anderson Valley, the shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a testament to the age-old tradition of seeking God. The history of Monte Cassino Shrine tells how a novena to Our Lady of Monte Cassino is credited for saving the village of St. Meinrad from a smallpox epidemic in 1871. The faith that God’s people placed in the intercession of Mary more than 130 years ago has not waned. Since the chapel’s dedication in 1870, thousands of people have visited the sandstone chapel to offer their prayers and petitions.

It had been some years since I visited the area, and I swung by on a recent trip. Time was short, and the chapel is hard to find, but eventually I found myself wending my way up the hill. I’ve never been there when any other people were around. Even in the heat of summer, the chapel is cool inside, and in the early spring it felt like a cave. I had taken photos inside, none of which came out, and was over in the corner, lost in thoughts of a rather unholy nature when I was startled by the sound of the door opening. There’s no mistaking the creak of the door, nor the slam of it’s weight falling closed. So I came around the corner expecting to bump into some locals, but to my surprise found no one had come in. A bit frightened now I went on out, and found no one around. The hill is isolated, there’s only one road down, and certainly no one was there. I wanted a few more shots inside, but thought perhaps I wasn’t wanted inside. Perhaps if there is a god, he or she can truly read thoughts.