Origins of shrine are mysterious
Faithful often travel to site overlooking Trinidad hospital
TRINIDAD — Some of the largest shrines to the Virgin Mary have been built because of reported apparitions of the Mother of God to people around the world.
Beyond the town on a hill overlooking the Mt. San Rafael Hospital the Ave Maria Shrine was built for a similar reason.
The history of the Ave Maria Shrine, which is now belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo, is as mysterious as the Blessed Mother herself.
According to the Trinidad Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in 1908, a Trinidad physician was leaving Mt. San Rafael Hospital, after all night duty.
Through a snowstorm, Dr. John Espy was on his way home when he noticed a glimmer of light flickering on the hill directly behind the hospital.
Historians say that Espy first gave it little attention, believing that snow flurries were creating an illusion.
He then thought about the possibility that someone may be hurt or stranded on the hill so he ascended upward to where the light originated.
As Espy reached a clearing, historians said, he was spellbound at the sight of a 250-pound statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a lit candle flickering at its base.
Espy called out to see if anyone was on the hill, but no one answered.
The community wondered how such a large statue was taken up a snow-filled hill and how a candle would stay lit in such a storm.
Faithful residents accepted this as a divine sign from God that a shrine should be built in her honor on the hill.
“We do not know if this story is true or not. Still, it does remind us of a couple of things about Mary: Many Christians witness that Mary is for them a refuge,” a message on the Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s website said.
“Many Christians venerate Mary under the title of Our Lady of Light (Santa Maria de la Luz). Perhaps these are things all of us should be looking for here — refuge and light.”
John Pearce, business manager of the Trinidad parish, said a lot of people around town have embraced the story to be true.
“I embrace it as being true as well,” Pearce said.
The early settlers erected a small lava rock shrine, where Our Lady was placed, and the faithful made daily pilgrimages and offered prayers to God through here intercession.
In 1934, Trinidadian Rosaria Vecchio, and a group of woman known as the Circolo Moriano Society began plans for building the present chapel and a grotto.
Historians said that in 1962, vandals destroyed the statue, breaking it into 279 pieces. It was almost a total loss, but thanks to the patience and skilled hands of Sam Arguello and his son Anthony, it was restored and placed inside the Shrine, above the altar, where it remains today.
Over the years, many have helped develop and maintain the shrine and its surroundings.
Steps leading up to the chapel are flanked by two blue and white statues of Mary. A giant cross sits in a garden to the right of the chapel. Statues of saints also dot the landscape. A statue of Saint Anthony also is near the chapel. A large rosary is strewn across the front of the white building.
Pearce said it is hard to tell how many people visit the shrine.
“We have no way to count them, but based on what we see, there are several,” Pearce said.
“Both local and tourist. The tourist see the cross on the hill and that draws them there. It is a beautiful and quiet place to pray, both inside and outside.
A Mass and rosary are held every third Saturday of the month during the summer.
“If weather permits, we continue into the fall. The drive to the Shrine as well as the steps are the issue,” Pearce said.
There are between 30 and 40 that attend the services, Pearce said.
“For as long as the Ave Maria Shrine has been here in Trinidad, it is still somewhat unknown,” Pearce said.
“I heard a lady say at the last Mass that she has lived here all her life and this was her first visit. There are a few travelers that come through and want to see the shrine and we try to accommodate them as much as possible,” Pearce said. He said the doors are always locked and are only opened for Mass and rosary and a visitor.
To visit the inside of the chapel, call Trinidad Area Catholic Pastoral Center at 719-846-3369, ext. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Friday, except holidays.