Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine History

Roman Catholic Church
Orlando, Florida

History of the Shrine

Pope John Paul. II with Fr. F. Joseph Harte

A HOUSE OF DREAMS UNTOLD

"Nothing happens," wrote the influential American poet, Sanburg, "unless first a dream." And so it has been for the 17-acre tract of Central Florida woodland that is today Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, yet this marvelous new center for worship is not the lengthened shadow of one man's dream. Rather, it has been a generously shared vision of evangelization's promise ... a dream wakened by hope and realized increasingly through the enduring love and ongoing sacrifices of the world's faithful.

The year was 1979; the setting, Central Florida - an emerging crossroads for visitors from all nations. Among those coming to the Orlando attractions each year were many Catholics. In seeking to provide for their spiritual needs, the Diocese of Orlando arranged for masses at an area hotel. As the number of visitors grew, additional hotel masses were scheduled. And to direct this unique "tourist ministry," Bishop Thomas Grady named, in 1975, the pastor of Orlando's Holy Family Parish, Father F. Joseph Harte.

The new apostolate was soon thriving. But looking at projections that forecast as many as 30 million annual visitors to the Orlando area, Fr. Harte realized that makeshift hotel facilities would no longer be sufficient.

Far more compelling, Bishop Grady and he saw before them an extraordinary opportunity to reach greater numbers of men, women and children -- embracing them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. And, echoing the newly inaugurated Pope John Paul II's call to "open wide the doors to Christ," Fr. Harte envisioned a permanent facility ... a spiritual oasis where the faithful could share in the Holy Mass, spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and meditate amidst the prayerful serenity of God's preserve.

Fittingly, in 1979 -- the silver anniversary of the Papal encyclical establishing the Coronation of Mary as a memorial feast of the Church -- this, the last great shrine of the Second Millennium, was to be named under the patronage of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

On December 8, 1984, the feast of the Immaculate Conception -- ground was broken for the first phase of construction. Within two years, the initial facility was completed.

Across the courtyard, an outdoor chapel was being constructed and anchored by an 80-foot bell tower.

Within the chapel walls was installed an inspiring 12-foot bronze work, entitled "Mother & Child." This was the first of several important pieces to be commissioned from noted sculptor, Jerzy Kenar.

August 22, 1990, the feast of Mary's Queenship, saw the groundbreaking for the main church. "We want this Shrine to be a temple" -- offered the new Bishop of Orlando, Most Reverend Norbert Dorsey, at the ceremony -- "a sacred place to give glory to God and honor to our mother."

By early 1992, construction teams were assembling the scaffold and setting in place as many as 68,000 individual roof tiles. Below, craftsmen and other artisans worked to complete the church's 56,000 square foot interior.

In Chicago, Jerzy Kenar was preparing his strikingly original design for the Holy Water Font -- a marble base, ringed in brass and accented by two ascending arches, a symbolic "gateway" ushering the faithful to the doors beyond and the Eucharistic presence of Christ.

Even more striking was his design for a 650-lb. portrayal of the Crucified Christ which, against an architectural glass backdrop symbolizing the shadow of the Cross, was to hang suspended above the Main Altar. Depicted with arms outstretched but with a spirit of repose, this dominant image leads the faithful to dwell upon the suffering and sacrifice that was Our Lord's gift to humankind. Balancing this artistic imagery is a figure of the Rising Christ, suspended at the rear of the nave. Here is reflected the joyful promise of the Resurrection -- one that can only gladden the hearts of the faithful.

With the installation of these works and completion of the church interior, Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine Church was at last ready to open its doors to the world. And, on January 31, 1993, before an overflow assembly of some 2,500 guests and members of the Shrine family, Bishop Dorsey proclaimed a "day of great rejoicing," asking God's grace upon all who will be drawn to this holy church.

Since 1993, work has continued across the Shrine complex. The temporary church of years past has been transformed into the long awaited Evangelization Center. Facilities for the purchase of religious articles and books have been greatly enlarged. And a beautiful Rosary Garden, embedded with flowers and rich Florida landscaping, has been developed, along with flowing fountains, to add a serene and prayerful atmosphere for our visitors.

On November 1, 2007, Bishop Thomas Wenski, Bishop of Orlando, appointed Fr. Edward J. McCarthy as the second Rector of the National Shrine Of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Under his direction, the Dream Continues...

Here then is our prologue to a new millennium in Christ -- set down by the 19th century composer Edward MacDowell: