Shrine of the Blessed Mother, Pittsburgh

In the South Oakland section of Pittsburgh, a small shrine to Our Lady overlooks Route 376 along the Monongahela River. We were staying at an AirBnB nearby so I could not resist a visit. According to the geocache post, Mass is said here every 22nd of the month and also on the Solemnity of Mary's Assumption into Heaven, August 15. 

Shire of the Blessed Mother

The shrine was originally built in 1956 overlooking the highway. Many different stories are told about it. The spot is relatively quiet and out of the way, making it ideal for a prayerful visit. It is variously called the Shrine of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Parkway, and Queen of Peace Shrine.

The shrine and me

Another statue of Our Lady

The view down to the Monongahela had a lot of trees blocking it when I was there in June.

View from the shrine

Among the legends about the site, some claim that they had visions of Mary that inspired them to make the shrine. I could not substantiate the rumor of a spring that is in the area. Some claim that the spring was the site the original builders chose. Others claim that they prayed for a water source for the flowers they brought and the spring miraculously appeared. 

As I walked up the street to the shrine, I spotted a rabbit who was extra cute.

At the end of the bricks

As I got closer, the rabbit got only a little farther

Close up of the above picture