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In the foothills of the Ozarks…
Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Ozarks, the Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos offer a galaxy of dazzling mosaics and multi-colored rock sculptures. Dedicated to the Queen of Peace and Mercy, the Shrine is a shining example of what one man of faith can achieve. The grottos, which are constructed of Missouri tiff rock, are set in a countryside atmosphere that refreshes the body and soul.
The origins of this religious setting trace back to 1927, when six Franciscan Brothers emigrated to Missouri from Poland. One of these men was Brother Bronislaus Luszcz, a man driven by overwhelming faith and love for Our Blessed Mother.
Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi
Pope Leo XVI has declared a special Jubilee year of St. Francis of Assisi, from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death (October 3, 1226). The declaration came at the conclusion of the Ordinary Jubilee of the year 2025; Pilgrims of Hope. The declaration urges us “to not let the intentions of the Holy Year just passed be in vain: may the hope that saw us as pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervor of active charity.”
Copies of Walking the Pilgrim’s Path are available at the Shrine’s Gift Shop or online through the author, Jeanette McDermott’s website: http://walkthepilgrimspath.com
Read the article, “A Gem of Hidden Wonder and Awe” in The St. Louis Review.
New Book Honors Brother Bronislaus
and Preserves the Legacy of the Black Madonna Shrine
Photojournalist and author Jeanette McDermott has released her new book, Walk the Pilgrim’s Path: Discover the Black Madonna Shrine and Hidden Grottos of the Ozarks, a visually rich, spiritually contemplative tribute to one of America’s hidden treasures. Many people have never heard of the shrine or its extraordinary history—a key reason McDermott set out to document it.
“I had several reasons for writing the book,” she said. “I wanted to ensure Brother Bronislaus’ story is preserved and help safeguard this one-of-a-kind sacred site in the United States. When sites like these vanish to fire, decay, or neglect, we lose more than a structure. We lose a piece of our shared wonder and a chapter of our collective memory.
“These spaces are part of our inheritance, even if we don’t always recognize it. Places like the Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos don’t endure on their own. They last because people keep showing up—walking the path, caring for the grounds, giving enough to keep them standing for whoever comes next” she said,
McDermott is a longtime supporter of the shrine, and a portion of all book proceeds is being donated to the Black Madonna Shrine to help sustain its preservation work.
Memorials
Honor your loved ones while supporting The Shrine. Your contribution in purchasing a Mother’s Sanctuary Plaque, Shrine Chapel Memorial Plaque, or Spiritual Union will go far in helping maintain the shrine. We hope you consider donating to the Shrine today.
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