The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

is a wonderful place to pray. I was there yesterday afternoon for a few hours. I came away with a pile of books, a wood and string rosary that won’t be confiscated by airport security, and a Miraculous Medal on a chain that is way too small to fit over my fat head. The problem is you can’t try them on when you are in the giftshop. I guess I will give it to my niece who is eight and has a small head. I got in a conversation with a very nice security guard named Don. He’s an army vet who retired and was sitting around the house for a few weeks before his wife told him to “Get a life!” He got a job at the shrine seven years ago and he says Mary has been his boss ever since. What a powerful witness he is!

Look at the pictures on this site – they are stunning. I might just drop the music director a line and ask if a guitar has ever been played at a Mass there.