U.S. National Shrine of the
      Immaculate Conception

                      Mary Garden


The following information has been received regarding the
Mary's Garden project of the National Council of Catholic
Women at the U.S. National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception: 


The Florida Catholic, March 26, 1999


by Julie Greene                   
 

 

"Shown above is the site where the proposed Mary's Garden will be
placed by the NCCW at the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception, as seen from the northwest.  The shrine is in the
background on the right. Groundbreaking for the prayer garden will
take place June 1999.  It is expected to be a circular garden with
plants, benches, statuary, and a fountain.



"FLORIDA WOMEN HELP CULTIVATE GARDEN AT NATIONAL SHRINE

"Washington, D.C.

"The Florida Council of Catholic Women, in conjunction with
councils across the country, will take part in a project to build a
prayer garden dedicated to the Blessed Mother at the Basilica of
the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by June 2000.

"Earlier this month, board members of the Florida Council of
Catholic Women got their first peek at the proposed plans for the
garden which will be encompassed on a three-quarter-acre site.

"During the meeting, Janet Moucha, president of the Florida
Council, presented board members with a flower pot, seeds, garden
gloves and a three-pronged garden cultivator.  She explained the
three prongs as representing the Blessed Trinity working with the
National Council of Catholic Women on cultivating the project. 'Our
hands that collect the money in turn enable the laborer's hand that
creates the garden,' she said.

"The estimated cost for "Mary's Garden" is expected to be between
$75,000 and $100,000. Currently, $12,000 has been raised and
national board members hope to have $30,000 collected by June when
the groundbreaking for the garden is expected to take place.

"The impetus for building the garden came during an NCCW board
meeting in Washington, D.C., last year when it was learned that the
NCCW, unlike other organized Catholic organizations, was not
represented among the list of donor organizations which contributed
to the development of the shrine."

Reprinted with permission 


                             o O o


Announcement with contribution form, available from: 

         The National Council of Catholic Women
             1275 K Street, N.W., Suite 985
                  Washington, DC 20005

(Excerpts)

                        Mary's
                          Garden

                 at the Basilica of the

                 National Shrine
                     of the
              Immaculate Conception 


"You are invited to help the National Council of Catholic Women
build a garden for pilgrims at the Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. . . .

"At present there is no place of rest for pilgrims to rest after
they complete their prayer and tour of the shrine.  The National
Council of Catholic Women proposes to build a garden behind the
apse of the Basilica to offer the faithful a site of hospitality,
rest and reflection. . . .

                "The garden will embellish
                the grounds of the Basilica,
                bringing great honor to the
                Shrine.  At the same time, it
                will certainly render honor
                to the National Council of
                Catholic Women that is so
                zealously committed to this
                project.  Please know of my
                support for the proposal
                and my enthusiasm for the
                contribution that it will
                make to the overall beauty
                of the Shrine."

                     - St. Louis Archbishop Justin Rigali,
                       Shrine Board of Trustees 


             "It us my hope that Mary's Garden
           will be a gift representing all
           Catholic women in the country
           regardless of their affiliation with
           the National Council of Catholic
           Women." 

                     - NCCW President Joann Hillebrand


Editors' Background Information
U.S. Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
                    Mary Garden

Available from the Mary's Gardens Internet Website at:

     www.mgardens.org

for the three-quarter-acre Mary's Garden being contributed to the
U.S. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
by the National Council of Catholic Women.

     - NCCW Announcement, Feast of the Immaculate Conception,
        Dec 8,1998
     - Press Article on Fund Raising, March 26, 1999
     - NCCW Report on Groundbreaking Ceremony, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of
       Mary, June 12, 1999  3:30 PM
     - National Shrine Report on Groundbreaking Ceremony
     - Dedication and  Blessing, Spring, 2000

GENERAL

     - Introductory Pamphlet - Flowers of Our Lady and Mary Gardens
     - First U.S. Public Mary Garden - Woods, Hole, MA  1932
     - Home Mary Garden
     - Parish Mary Garden (Annapolis)
     - School Mary Garden (Philadelpha)
     - Convent Mary Garden (Cincinnati)
     - National Shrine Mary Garden (Knock, Ireland)
     - Flower Show Mary Garden (Philadelphia)
     - The Cloisters, Botanical Garden of Reference (New York)
     - "The Blessing of Mary Gardens as Holy Places"
     - "Garden Devotion to Mary"