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Novena of Masses – March For Life

January 2, 2022
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January 25 LIVE STREAM

In conjunction with the 2022 March for Life there will be a
Novena of Masses offered January 18-26 @ 11:00 AM EST at the Our Lady,
Patroness of America Center in Rome City Indiana. 

We will be praying for the conversion of all abortion
supporters and the healing of all who have been injured by the plague of
abortion.

The Our Lady, Patroness of America Center seeks the intercession
of Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, as our nation’s Patroness and Protector.   Under
the guidance of Bishop Kevin Rhoades, the center is a place of pilgrimage for seeking
her intercession as Patroness of our nation.

We encourage those going to DC for the March to stop in Rome
City, Indiana and pray for her intercession.  
And then take Our Lady of America in your heart to the March.   We will be open for the Mass each day and
will be sure to welcome you and your group at other times as well.  Or you can stop on your way home also. Rome
City is only 25 minutes from Interstate 80-90 and 69. 

If you will be arriving at the Center any time other than
Mass, please call ahead (260-303-4990)so we can meet and welcome you into the
Chapel.  

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PRESS RELEASE ON BISHOPS’ DECREE

December 8, 2021
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THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Bishop’s Decree gives Our Lady, Patroness
of America a home!

His Excellency, Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne – South Bend issued a Singular Decree on November 3, 2020, which recognized the Our Lady, Mother of Mercy Chapel, Rome City (now the Oratory of the Holy Family), Indiana as a public chapel of the lay faithful. And he further set forth that the Our Lady, Mother of Mercy Center is an allowed place of pilgrimage and is free to engage in public spiritual activities (Holy Mass, Rosary, Confessions, etc.) subject to the immediate vigilance of the Pastor of Saint Gaspar Parish, Rome City.

Further, the Decree went on to allow the devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America to be practiced and promoted at the Mother of Mercy Center (now the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center).

The devotion’s path was first envisioned by the Bishops having jurisdiction in their Statement Regarding the Devotion to Our Lady of America (May 7, 2020). In subsequent dialogue with Bishop Rhoades the content of the decree was prayerfully envisioned and discerned resulting in his issuance.

“When it was issued, we were still amid extensive renovations and repairs to the Chapel. We have been operating under this decree since March 2020, when we offered the first Mass and now see it appropriate to make known its existence,” said Al Langsenkamp, Mother of Mercy Center and Foundation President.

Just recently, Bishop Rhoades responded to a request for two changes; he has approved a change in the Center’s name to Our Lady, Patroness of America Center; and has approved a change in the name of the Prayer to the Immaculate Conception to Prayer to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America. Both are in line with his desire that the Center focus attention on her role as Patroness of America.

Al Langsenkamp added, “The Bishops have given Our Lady, Patroness of America a home where she can welcome, console and bless pilgrims who seek her intercession. Further, they have pointed to her as Our Mother and Our Nation’s Patroness who will intercede for us before the Holy Trinity. She is calling us to imitate the Holy Family in virtue and faith. More so, with the Bishops’ decrees her intercession is available to us personally and as a nation in a new and powerful way! We are most grateful to Bishop Rhoades for his discerning pastoral care and trust in our mission at the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center.”

“May the Lord continue to bless you and your work! May Our Blessed Mother watch over and intercede for you and the pilgrims who come to the Center!” says Bishop Rhoades.

It is now official: devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America is recognized by the Catholic Church as an allowed devotion of the lay faithful! Our Lady, Patroness of America now has a home and place of pilgrimage. It is the Our Lady, Patroness of America Center, Rome City Indiana. May her abundant Graces flow upon us!

Dcouments:
July 29, 2019, Singular Decree
May 7, 2020, Statement Regarding the Devotion to Our Lady of America
November 3 2020, Singular Decree

For media inquiries:
Al Langsenkamp, President
Mother of Mercy Foundation
2730 E. Northport Rd
Rome City, IN 46784
(260) 303-4990

office@PatronessOfAmerica.org
PatronessOfAmerica.org

PDF Version of Press Release

Statement on Supernaturality


Concerning this website and associated social media: Any reference to apparitions or other supernatural claims of Sr. Mary Ephrem, or any blog posting and comments referring to the same must be understood as alleged. Furthermore, any reference to Our Lady of America should be understood to mean Our Lady, The Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America.

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Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America

I am the Immaculate One, Patroness of your land

November 25, 2021
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Be my faithful children as I have been your faithful Mother.

Coming soon is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. December 8 is the day that the United States has the special privilege of celebrating our Queen and Patroness. Her title – Queen of all Heaven and Earth was given to her by the Holy Trinity. The title of our nation’s Patroness was offered to her by Bishop John Carol in 1792. Without hesitation, she accepted and is in fact our nation’s Patroness.

Unfortunately, we give little thought to her as Patroness and what it means. The secular definition for Patroness uses words like Advocate and Protector, which all apply. But there is one unique phrase that further defines her role – Faithful Mother! 

This phrase illustrates her special love for us. Individually and collectively, she is our Mother. But not just any mother. She is the Mother of Christ, true God and true man. Of course, as Christians we know this, but there is so much more to her that we rarely contemplate or may just not know. 

We know from Scripture and Sacred Tradition that Our Lady has many characteristics. She protects her Child. She loves her spouse. She leads souls to Her Son. But there is so much more to know if we really want to understand the greatness that Our Lord has worked in His mother.

The incorrupt body of Venerable Sr. Mary of Agreda
The incorrupt body of Venerable Sr. Mary of Agreda

Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America (Our Lady of America) asks that we seek purity by imitating her and the Holy Family.   But what does that mean! If we wanted to know more about Our Lady and the life of the Holy Family,  where would we go?   While there are many good books about Our Lady, there is one that stands out and seems to be directly related to her call for us to imitate the Holy Family.  In my opinion the best source for understanding the nature of the Immaculate Conception and the immense graces she received, is the Mystical City of God by Venerable and incorrupt, Sister Mary of Agreda.  

It is a mystically inspired biography of the life of the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Family.   Its detail is stunning, and the unfolding of the Holy Mysteries is full of life.  Perhaps there is no better source to understand the path and fruits of imitating Our Lady than to read this book. 

So, what’s the connection?  Other than the topical connection there is also a historic connection between the book and Our Lady of America. It is known by Decree that devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America took on a specific program in 1956 at Rome City, Indiana.  Then Sr. Mary Ephrem was inspired in prayer to understand that Our Lady wants us to seek purity by imitating her.   But how?  That leaves a big unknown.  Though Our Lady would not leave us without an answer. 

Four Volume set of Mystical City of God - Agreda
Four Volume set of Mystical City of God - Agreda
Mystical City of God Imprimatur

Here’s the connection. In 1912 when the English translation of the Mystical City of God was published in the diocese of Fort Wayne, the Imprimatur was given at Rome City, Indiana in the Bishop’s Office, by H. J. Alderding, Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Bishop of Fort Wayne had a summer residence on Sylvan Lake and an office inside the Kneipp Springs Sanitarium. 

 

The Bishop’s office was just on the other side of the Mother of Mercy Chapel, from where Sr. Ephrem was first inspired by Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America. It is my opinion, which is shared by many who have studied the connection, that Our Lady was putting a spotlight on this book as means to better fulfill her request that we imitate her and the Holy Family.

The Mystical City of God is a 2,600-page, 4 volume set, illustrating the life of the Holy Family. This includes the life of Jesus, the Passion, Resurrection. It also, illustrates in detail, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the establishment of the Church and all the Holy Mysteries. It brings to life which such detail that the reader quickly understands the Creative Love of the Holy Trinity far exceeds the wildest imagination of humanity.

To pique your interest in reading this work here are a few chapter titles:

  • LUCIFER WITH ALL HIS SEVEN LEGIONS PERSISTS IN TEMPTING MOST HOLY MARY; SHE CONQUERS THE DRAGON AND CRUSHES HIS HEAD
  • THE DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THE MOST HOLY MARY CONCERNING THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS WHICH WERE TO BE INSTITUTED BY CHRIST THE LORD, AND CONCERNING THE FIVE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH
  • LUCIFER CALLS A MEETING IN HELL IN ORDER TO HINDER THE WORKS OF CHRIST OUR REDEEMER AND OF HIS MOST HOLY MOTHER

The entire 4 volume set is available for free download as pdf files. There is also an abridged version available for those needing a shorter version. 

In reading these writings, one will form a profound appreciation for the wonders and miracles that the Holy Trinity has worked in Our Lady. Of all creation, she is the pinnacle! No mere creature has ever possessed such Holiness and loved God as has she. And no one has ever understood the Sacred Heart of Jesus as has His Mother. In these pages, Sr. Agreda makes clear that all that’s revealed therein is limited by human understanding, and that this is merely the surface of these deep mysteries. 

And she is the ONE who is Our Mother and Patroness. We could have no greater!

This next Feast of the Immaculate Conception ask Our Lady to reveal to you the depth of her love for us, her children. And offer thanks to the Holy Trinity for the immense gift of Her, Our Patroness! And answer the call to be her faithful children seeking purity in imitating her.

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We Must Protect our Bishops! Praying in Solidarity with Them

November 11, 2021
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Holy Mass for Bishop Kevin Rhoades and all U.S. Bishops

Mass November 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th: All Events

Next week (November 15-18, 2021) the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will conduct their annual General Assembly in Baltimore.  This conference is when the bishops meet to discuss issues facing the Church, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and discern the course forward.  They also celebrate the Holy Mass and pray as a group.  I had the privilege to attend the 2006 Conference, seeing firsthand their work.

Being a Holy Bishop is an extremely difficult vocation.  If we really knew the challenges they face on a daily basis, we would be awed at how gracefully they handle their position.

Why is this job so difficult?  Humanly speaking it is a job with a high workload and requires the mastery of many different skills.  Beyond this however is the battle

These men oversee the priests who bring us the saving mysteries.  Their number one job is to make sure that the Sacraments & Holy formation are available to the Faithful.  But the minions of evil will do anything to prevent and minimize holy formation and saving sacraments.  Evil takes great satisfaction in this interference.

Evil will bring temptation, distraction, discouragement, confusion and disappointment to these men in a way that few of us will ever experience.  Of course, they get great joy as well when they see the Grace of Our Lord come upon their flock. 

When they meet as a group to do Our Lord’s work, this is when the minions of evil step up their efforts. In short, they are a high value target of evil.

That’s where we come in!

These men need our help, and they deserve it!

Pray for them!  Go to Mass for them. Offer sacrifice.  Pray for their protection and enlightenment so they will accomplish the good to which the Holy Spirit calls them.  Most importantly pray they have the grace to discern, avoid the false narrative, and be free of evil’s snares.

While they are in conference November 15-18 at 11:00 Holy Mass will be offered in the Mother of Mercy Chapel for our Bishop, Kevin C. Rhoades and all the U.S. Bishops as they conduct their annual meeting.  We will be seeking the intercession of Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America (Our Lady of America) to bring grace upon them in a way that only the Queen of Heaven and Earth can accomplish.

Please join us in person, on our live stream or in prayerful solidarity for our Bishops.

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Combat Rosary

You Must Choose Your Weapon Carefully!

October 28, 2021
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The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. ~ G.K. Chesterton

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~ Jesus Christ (John 13:15)

There are times in history where the course of human events is determined for centuries to come.  

Nativity, Pope John Paul II Our Lady of Guadelupe
Nativity, Pope John Paul II, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Some of these are sublime:  The Birth of Jesus Christ, the election of St. John Paul II, and the conversion of millions in Mexico by the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe. These seem to be a spontaneous, sublime, subtle, and yet powerful mystical intervention in human history.  Few, if any, could see or understand the widespread historical importance of the event at the moment it occurred.  The measure of these gifts is not understood for decades as their span reaches for centuries. 

Other of these events are not sublime or benevolent but rather rooted in evil. They are fought to the death.  The epic battles which have shaped the world include Normandy, Battle of Vienna, and Lepanto.  These battles were fought against great odds, with astounding courage and at a great cost for those who charged into war.  The outcome of war is never certain!  But in these cases, victory was obtained, and the fruit endured.

It is in war that the quotes above of Chesterton and Jesus become most manifest. On these battlefields the acts of courage and the decisions of valor and faith are played out. Here the measure of love spelled out by Jesus becomes most evident. 

But is this the real war? Or is there something more?  Could wars be the physical manifestation of the spiritual battle that has broken through?

Don’t get me wrong.  War is real, it is horrible, people die, and lives are forever changed.  But cannot the same be said of the ever-raging battle between good and evil.  It is satan’s singular goal to destroy all that God loves, especially us!  Evil is real, it is horrible, people pass into eternal suffering and lives are enslaved in sin.  In comparing the two battles, which one is to be feared most?

So which battle is the most important, the terrestrial battle or the spiritual battle?  One is transient.  The other is eternal.  And once you determine that answer you must then choose your weapon accordingly!

To fight physically is different than to fight spiritually; and the weapons are different as well.  Fighting on the battlefield you want weapons that are better and more effective than your opponent both in capability and in quantity.  For these factors determine the outcomes of war.  Or do they?

If these are the sole factors of war then Normandy, Battle of Vienna, and Lepanto should each have ended differently.  So, what is the factor that tilted these battles?  

Hint: “Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” (Song of Solomon)

There is a fabulous video I have shared with friends and family. So now I share it with you.  It explains the weapon of the spiritual battle – the Rosary.  It’s about an hour-long commitment of time and attention. However, the audio is more important than the video, which makes this great commute time listening.

The video by Fr. Don Calloway explains the power of the Rosary and of Our Lady. After you listen to it ask yourself would you be willing to enter battle without it.

In the spiritual world our Nation is under grave attack.  America is a most important target of evil because of our rich history of faith and love.  There seems to be an ever-increasing breakthrough of the spiritual battle into our physical world.   Now is the time when we should petition Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America with urgency and haste.  The Rosary is the most powerful way to seek the intercession of our Queen.  

If we ask, she will respond.  If she responds evil has no hope.  It’s that simple!  

Listen to the video and let me know what you think.

Virgin Most Powerful
Virgin Most Powerful - Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Combat Rosary 

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Pilgrim visits grow as more people discover Our Lady of America

August 31, 2021
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August has been a big month for pilgrims at the Mother of Mercy Chapel.  More than 1000 souls have visited to pray, receive reconciliation, participate in Holy Mass and honor Our Lord and Our Lady in procession.  

A common theme in these pilgrims is seeking the intercession of Our Lady, The Immaculate virgin, Patroness of America (Our Lady of America) before the Throne of Her Son, Jesus for their personal intentions and for our nation. 

The August First Saturday Devotion Mass offered by Fr. David Voors was well attended with a comfortably full Chapel. 

Mid-month the Divine Will conference packed the Chapel with a record number of attendees.  Blessed with spectacular weather the pilgrims partook in talks, Confession, Holy Mass, strolls across the campus and wonderful community.   The culmination was a Eucharistic Procession with Our Lady leading the crowd of pilgrims, bringing honor and praise to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

While the Chapel is open most days, if you are making a special trip, please call us to make sure we will be there when you arrive.

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By Thy Holy And Immaculate Conception O Mary, Deliver Us From Evil

August 30, 2021
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Why is this prayer so powerful?

Today’s headlines tell of war, disasters, lawlessness, loss of faith and total disregard for the sacred reality of human life.   Those who have eyes to see recognize this as godlessness in our culture and society, which seems to have now spanned to the four corners of the earth.   Evil seems to be winning.

But those with faith in Our Lord, and trust in the Intercession of Our Lady know with certainty that evil will not win.   Heaven has time and time again given us the weapons and means of protection – the Rosary, devotions, and intercessory prayers.  And with the greatest of importance, Heaven has given us the way back – the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist all merited by the Passion of Our Lord, Jesus!   Our Shepard will not abandon us!

As a key part of devotion to Our Lady of America we are given yet another defense against evil contained in the very short prayer “By thy Holy and Immaculate Conception O Mary, deliver us from evil.” When Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin was conceived without sin, the order of all creation was forever changed.  Before the fall, Adam and Eve were above the angels in dignity and closest of all creation to the Holy Trinity as they enjoyed completely living in the Divine Will, as sin had not yet entered into the world.  After the fall, they fell so distant from the Holy Trinity that they were now under the dominion of the fallen angels.  All humanity from that point forward were vastly separated from the Holy Trinity.  And evil wanted it to stay that way – FOREVER.  But then…

…One of our own was protected from the inherited sin of Adam & Eve and was not under the dominion of evil.   Our Lady, Conceived without Sin was thus elevated to the greatest heights of all creation.  Through the gift of the Immaculate Conception the order of creation which existed before the fall was reclaimed (at least for Our Lady.)  And set into motion was the plan of Heaven to save us who are conceived with sin.

Through the FIAT of Our Lady, Our Savior was born into  humanity and Salvation was brought to mankind! Through the Passion of Our Lord, Salvation was opened to ALL.  Now we could be saved. Praise God!

But in a vain attempt evil has not given up.  We are constantly bombarded by the wickedness and snares of evil.  Not a single moment goes by where we are not in need of grace and protection to withstand these attacks.

The Prayer to St Michael the Archangel is a prayer of protection and deliverance that is well known.  The Our Father is yet another. These prayers are powerful protection and should be prayed often.

One more is given in this devotion.  It is short, sweet and to the point.  It calls on the one who has been assigned by the Holy Trinity to crush evil – Our Lady.  And it asks her to invoke the power of the second greatest gift (the Immaculate Conception) given to mankind which opened the path for the Greatest Gift, the Incarnation and Passion of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The short prayer, “By thy Holy and Immaculate Conception O Mary, deliver us from Evil” calls on Our Lady to exercise the grace of her exclusive gift for our protection and to deliver us from evil. 

But it also calls us to recognize the Immaculate Conception as the model for our own pursuit of purity and perfection; and to use Our Lady as a guide for our lives.  It calls us to seek the life, grace and relationship with the Holy Trinity as it existed before the fall.  Can we achieve that here on Earth?  Not perfectly.  But with prayer, penance, and the Sacraments we can get close and live-in peace even as the headlines tell us the world is not at peace.

I can only imagine what the fruits of the final battle between Our Lady and evil will be. Perhaps the infinite creativity of the Holy Trinity will provide a way where we are once again in complete unity with the Holy Trinity and live in the Divine Will.  There is a hint in the Our Father that gives me hope – “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”.   

Only time will tell how this will be made manifest.   I expect it will be Glorious!

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Special July 4th Weekend Set to Honor our Patroness

July 30, 2021
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Nearly 200 pilgrimages visited Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America this past July 4th weekend.  The pilgrims attended Holy Mass, Reconciliation, and offered the Patriotic Rosary seeking her intercession as our nation’s guardian, protector, and supporter. 

Fr Jeff Pomeisl, offered Mass in the Mother of Mercy Chapel as part of the Five First Saturdays in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart.   The Chapel built in 1916 is home to the statue of Our Lady of America in the Chapel’s west transept. The chapel is adorned with stained glass which depicts the Seven Joys of Our Lady.

 

LoAfter Mass each pilgrim received a blessed fresh Lily like the one Our Lady if holding, representing purity.  The pilgrims took these home to remind them of Our Lady’s call to imitate the Holy Family.

 

With lily in hand pilgrims participated in praying the Patriotic Rosary.  In short, each bead of the Hail Mary Prayer is offered for one of the fifty states. 

 

We pray these pilgrims received abundant graces and that their prayers to Our Patroness were heard!

Less than 20 miles from Interstate-80/90 (Indiana Toll Road) and Intersate-69 in Northeast Indiana, it is easy to get to and is a worthwhile addition to your travel.   Call (260) 303-4990 before your visit for details and hours.  Map

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SHE WANTS YOUR HOME TO BE LIKE HERS!

July 28, 2021
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Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America (in short, Our Lady of America) has been a foundational devotion for America since May 28, 1792 when America’s first Bishop, John Carroll, consecrated our nation to her.

On September 26, 1956 that devotion took on a more specific program when Sr. Mary Ephrem was inspired in prayer to pen a specific devotion to Our Lady under the guidance of her spiritual director Archbishop Paul F Leibold.   Sr. Ephrem was in the nun’s private chapel of the convent at Rome City, Indiana when the image of Our Lady of America was first formed.

The devotion to Our Lady of America is her specific instruction of how to live the admonition given by our first Bishop of “zealous imitation of her virtues.”   The devotion is a re-iteration, call and example of what the U.S. Bishops have already asked of the faithful from the very start of our nation’s history.

On November 8, 1954 a short time after the visit of the Angel of Peace, Our Lady spoke to me in these words: “It is the wish of my Son that fathers and mothers strive to imitate me and my chaste spouse in our holy life at Nazareth. We practiced the simple virtues of family life, Jesus our Son being the center of all our love and activity. The Holy Trinity dwelt with us in a manner far surpassing anything that can ever be imagined. For ours was the earthly paradise where once again God walked among men.

“As in our little home no sin was to be found, so it is the wish of the Heart of my Son and my Immaculate Heart that sin should, as far as possible, be un-heard of in the homes of our children.

“The Divine Trinity will dwell in your midst only if you are faithful in practicing the virtues of our life at Nazareth. Then, you also, my children, you also will become another paradise. God will then walk among you and you will have peace.

“I need your help to bring peace into the world. Do not disappoint me.”

(Excerpt from Sr. Mary Ephrem’s printed diary, November 8, 1954)

Due to the good providence of Bishop Kevin Rhoades, the private devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America (in short, Our Lady of America) has been allowed to be promoted and practiced by the lay faithful at Mother of Mercy Chapel in Rome City, Indiana.   The west transept of the chapel is the home to the Our Lady of America Statue.

Our Lady of America

From there it is hoped that this devotion will flourish and the American family will be restored through the program of imitating the Holy Family, the Sacraments and prayer.

Just recently the Mother of Mercy Chapel and convent in Rome City, Indiana has become open for pilgrims.

Is she calling your family to imitate the Holy Family?  Is she calling your family to be a home for the Holy Trinity?  Through zealous imitation of the Holy Family and reception of the Sacraments it can be so!

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