ave maria shrine

I did visit again, after calling the phone number on the Shrine's website and making an appointment to see the chapel. We were supposed to be met by one or more of the parish's maintenance workers who would unlock the door to the chapel, but no one ever showed up to let us in. My friends and I were very disappointed. I wish the man I had talked to in the parish office had just told me no instead of saying someone would let us in but not making it happen.

Ave Maria Shrine is located on the hill across from Mt. San Rafael Hospital. It is well maintained. Has a Stations of the Cross. Also, they hold mass services approx. 1 time a month.

Apparently the chapel itself is not open at any set times, but if you want to go inside, the website says to call Trinidad Area Catholic Pastoral Center at (719) 846-3369, extension 14, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except holidays, to get someone to open it up. It helps to call a few days before you want to go in.However, even if you can't go into the chapel, the shrine is very peaceful and lovely and worth a visit. There are several statues of the Virgin Mary between the steps at the bottom and the chapel at the top, giving a pilgrim many opportunities to stop and pray or reflect quietly.My friend and I went all the way to the top and were able to peek into the chapel through the metal screen over the windows. The chapel is small, but very beautiful, and I would love to go inside some day.I can't find a street address for the shrine. Rest assured that if you are heading east on Benedicta Avenue, you will see the shrine rising out of the trees as you near the hospital and nearby nursing home.Warning: There is not much of a place to park. The road in front of the chapel is really just a driveway. Pull over as far as possible so as not to block other vehicles that want to get through. It might also be possible to park at the hospital and walk over to the shrine.