The Mission of Nombre de Dios is one of the oldest religious sites in North America. Founded at the same time as the City of Saint Augustine, the Mission has existed continuously for almost five hundred years. This was the site where the first mass was celebrated in the new land and is also home to the first of what would become many missions throughout the Americas. Also on this spot settlers would worship Our Lady of La Leche. This worship also continues on the same spot as the mission. You can find many things to do on site and there is plenty for the religious and non religious alike. The best thing to do is a simple walking tour of everything that the grounds have to offer.
What to Expect
The first stop on the tour is the Prince of Peace Church. Built in 1965 the church was built to celebrate the missions four hundred year anniversary. The church is dedicated to prayers that would save the world from all out war. The church has impressive stain glass and solid blocks of coquina stone. Next stop on the walking tour is the Father Lopez Statue. Across the Michael Gannon bridge stands a large bronze memorial. Represented in this statue is Father Francisco Lopez de Medoza Grajeles. He was the chaplain of Menendez’s fleet and was the priest at the first mass. The statue stands over eleven feet tall and is an impressive site.
After the statue of Father Lopez the next stop on the tour is the Great Cross. The cross was erected then dedicated in 1966 by his Excellency Casimiro Morcillo, the Archbishop of Madrid. The cross stands well over 200 hundred feet tall. It is an impressive beacon guiding everyone for miles around to the mission. Just south of the cross you will find a bronze plaque the memorializes the mission facilities that the Spanish used to convert the native Americans. This plaque stands as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of those men who sought to spread the word of God.
Continuing along the path will lead you to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. The tiled replica here at the mission seeks to memorialize and symbolize the sacred act that helped to convert many of the Aztecs over to Christianity. Along the path you will again find another shrine. This one is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This shrine also has a beautiful mosaic and is a great spot for quiet reflection. This shrine is a popular destination for Byzantine Rite Catholics and is part of a bi annual pilgrimage.
The Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche is the next stop on the walking tour. This chapel was carefully restored in 1914 after it was severely damaged by a hurricane. This spot has been called one of the most holy in all of North America. For many catholics this place offers a great opportunity for reflection and meditation. The chapel is small and simple looking and brings a feeling a peace of calm to all who visit. With the chapel there also is a rustic alter. This alter was set to commemorate the first parish Mass celebrated on September 8th, 1565.
While there are many things at the Mission of Nombre de Dios for the non religious to enjoy, it truly is a spot that is best appreciated by faithful Catholics. There really is no other place in America that is like this temple and if you are looking to take a road trip to a spot that can inspire you spiritually this is it. When you walk on the site you can literally feel and smell the history around you. There is something special about this spot that has kept it going and focused for almost five hundred years.
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