Shrine Church & Chapel

It is common in churches built during the Spanish Colonial period to have a retablo located on the back wall of the sanctuary. A retablo is a decorative wall treatment behind and above the main altar. The hand-carved retablo contains a 19th century crucifix as well as an original statue of Blessed Stanley Rother in the center niche with Saint Therese of Lisieux, the patron of missions, and Saint James the Greater on either side. The retablo also has carved images of Saints Peter and Paul as well as two antique columns from Spain from the late 16th century and the tabernacle, which has a dome that is a replica of the dome of the shrine. 

The retablo, the altar, and the ambo were all created by Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 as well as the statues and pedestals of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. On front of the altar and on the pedestals are hand carved medallions of the Sacred Hearts of the Holy Family. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is encircled with a crown of thorns and topped with a cross. The altar contains relics of St. Charles Borromeo, St. Martin de Porres, St. George, and St. John Chrysostom.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is surrounded by roses and pierced with a knife recalling the words of Saint Simeon at our Lords’ Presentation. The Most Chaste Heart of Saint Joseph is surrounded by lilies, a symbol of purity and chastity. All three hearts are topped by flames to symbolize divine love.

The Stations of the Cross are hand painted replicas of the Stations of the Cross from the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Puebla, Mexico. Each frame is topped with a shell, a symbol of the pilgrim, and the Saint James cross.

The candlesticks, the altar crucifix, the sanctuary lamp, Paschal Candle stand and sacred vessels are finished in silver, which was typical of sacred objects during the Spanish Colonial period. Furnishings in the narthex that include benches, cabinets and tables are antique and reproductions from Mediterrania in Santa Fe, New Mexico.