Fr. Ben Luther in 1965. COURTESY OF ARCHIVES
Our Marian Shrine that took more than 15 years to build
BY EDWARD WILSON, ARCHIVES
As Catholics, we are known for our spiritual devotions, traditions and aesthetic rituals. However, of all our characteristic features, we are perhaps most renowned for our devotion to the Blessed Mother. Whether it be our rosaries, miraculous medals, or front yard statues of Mary, we seemingly love to take any opportunity to celebrate the Holy Virgin. This is so true that we start each year with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. So, this month’s article will retell one of the most ardent pursuits of Marian devotion in our diocese. By utilizing our archival records, we will examine the story of our Marian Shrine in Bowling Green.
Nearly fifty years ago, in 1973, Fr. Ben Luther felt moved to create a shrine to honor Mary in the diocese. He first proposed the idea to Bishop Henry J. Soenneker, stating that he would fundraise utilizing his newsletter. The bishop had no objection and so Fr. Luther moved forward with his plan.
Though his newsletter’s audience was relatively small (numbering about 5,000 people) the project was received favorably, and donations began to trickle in. From the newsletter’s small audience, the cause caught the attention of some very influential people, including Fr. Robert Fox, the renowned Catholic author and personality, who made the first donation. This also led to the project being mentioned in the prominent publications of the National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. Following this, the appeal received several thousands of dollars, pouring in from more than 30 states and even some from outside of the U.S.
The initial plan was to construct an outdoor shrine. After inquiring about the possibility of the shrine finding its home at Mount Saint Joseph, the Ursuline Sisters joyfully accepted as long as they approved of the design. Following this, a string of hateful vandalisms struck the Mount, destroying several outdoor statues. This resulted in Fr. Luther concluding that the outdoor shrine would not be a possibility at the Mount; nor would it be a possibility at the other option, St. Anthony in Browns Valley, as the seclusion of the location made further vandalism a possibility. Even with these options exhausted, Fr. Luther was driven to continue by a love for the Blessed Mother.
By 1977, fundraising began to slow. In addition, Fr. Luther was relocated in 1978 to St. Pius X in Calvert City, where he saw no possibilities for a shrine. In 1980, he was transferred to New York City to continue his clerical studies. However, he continued to have faith that the shrine would be built.
By 1987, Fr. Luther was stationed at St. Joseph in Bowling Green. He had renovated and dedicated the rectory chapel to Mary, but this was not enough. Finally, after receiving permission from Bishop John J. McRaith, construction of the shrine began. Overcome with love for Mary, the community began to flood the project with donations, nearly matching the sizable sum accumulated in the nearly 15 years before. On May 7, 1989, the Shrine of Mary Mother of the Church and Model of all Christians was blessed and has served as a place of worship and pilgrimage ever since.
May Fr. Luther’s devotion to Christ and his Blessed Mother inspire us to a deeper sense of service.
Edward Wilson is the director of the Diocese of Owensboro’s Archives and the Archives of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. Comments and questions may be sent to [email protected].
Originally printed in the January 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
