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An Arch For Mary – A Shrine For Life By
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., past co-president, Mariological Society
of the United States. When discussing a project to honor our Blessed Mother some years ago, the counsel of the late, great Franciscan Father Alfred Boeddeker of San Francisco was loud and clear: “Think BIG!” A decade later we find another zealous Marian devotee and avid pro-life advocate, who never heard of the beloved Father Alfred, taking this advice to heart. Buffalo attorney Laurence D. Behr is thinking in gigantic proportions. The magnificent dream that inspires Larry Behr and his team is a towering arch to honor Mary’s Immaculate Heart over a shrine memorializing the Holy Innocents. The perception that the Blessed Mother powers this group of planners, features a 700-foot (70 stories high) Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary overshadowing an International Shrine of the Holy Innocents. A huge undertaking? Most assuredly. About $100 million worth. A WONDER OF THE WORLD Mr. Behr, who founded Western New York Lawyers for Life ten years
ago, wants the ascendable arch to “rank among the man-made wonders
of the world.” Definitely, it would surpass the 630-foot Gateway Arch
in To this end, Behr and his collaborators have formed the Association for the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the International Shrine of the Holy Innocents, a New York non-profit corporation. Fund-raising has commenced for this bold and unprecedented initiative to advance the Culture of Life and Civilization of Love, and to overcome, the present Culture of Death. A resplendent, golden arch is planned to commemorate the triumph of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, foretold by herself at A CALL TO RETURN TO GOD “It will,” declared Mr. Behr, “serve as an international signal call to conversion and a return to God, to an ever greater love of purity, and rejection of abortion and immorality.” He expects the shrine to be particularly effective, because it will be a “marvelous tourist attraction” with the potential to draw “millions of visitors annually of all faiths and of no church affiliation at all.” The importance and urgency of this focus for the pro-life movement is expressed well by Father Frank Pavone, of Priests for Life, when he stated: “We need to stir the attention of the public to pro-life issues, whether they want to hear about them or not. A sign as public and visible as the proposed arch and shrine will certainly serve this purpose.” Father Pavone is among nearly 30 national Catholic pro-life and spiritual leaders who are on record in support of this great project. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHRINES Inspired by an article he read about the significance of shrines and the meaning of pilgrimage, Behr was deeply struck by the pastoral mission of shrines. He was impressed by the clarion call of Pope John Paul II in the 1987-88 Marian Year to understand the “geography of faith” (Redemptoris Mater.) Pope Paul VI, a few years earlier, had described shrines as “spiritual clinics” and “centers of spiritual refreshment.” Behr realized that shrines have a special vocation in salvation history, and that he and others might participate in this mission. Just as God calls each of his creatures to a special role in this life, so does He designate shrines, through his Church, for a particular purpose. Larry Behr felt compelled to take action. And so, this project began to take form from that inspiration. THE LAYOUT These are the general plans for the Arch and Holy Innocents Shrine project. The Arch will include three chapels, one in each leg and one in its peak, along with a museum or gallery, book and gift shop, and a refreshment area. Administrative office and meeting facilities will be located on upper floors in the arch’s legs. Elevators will carry visitors to an observation platform beneath the Chapel of the Triumph under the Arch’s peak. A two-level International Shrine of the Holy Innocents, centered beneath
the apex of the arch, will recall Herod’s slaughter of innocent babies
described in Matthew’s Gospel (2:16-17), and connect that incident
to the plague of abortion commonplace worldwide. That chapel will
contain a statue of Mary holding the Christ Child as Prince of Peace;
a statuary group of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on the Flight into THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE Once donations mount, the appropriate site along “It’s such a big thing,” mused attorney Nancy M. Langer, a project cooperator, “and it sounds so impossible, that maybe it is something that will happen. It’s one of those things that, if God wants it to happen, He’s got to give Larry the means to make it happen.” And, his Advisory Board and endorsers are poised to request of believers what it takes to accomplish this dream. The cost is estimated at approximately $100 million, which will come primarily from generous faithful here and abroad. Hopefully organizations and foundations will also contribute. With the faith characteristic of a zealous visionary, Behr believes that a million faithful will offer $100 each for this sacred cause. The project’s intent is, of course, spiritual regeneration and moral
uplift. More than 4,000,000 visit the Gateway Arch in Some naysayers have objected that Mary would not want such a grand
monument erected in Her honor. But has anyone
ever heard Mary complain about the many shrines and cathedrals and
basilicas dedicated to Her? At Besides, this dream is indicative of a mission…more than a mere monument.
Scoffers are expected, but recall the sage counsel of Gamaliel in
the Acts of the Apostles ( Others may protest that this money should be spent on the poor. However, the money has not yet been contributed, those who will donate generously will continue to share freely with other worthy causes. For this reason Jesus rebuked Judas for objecting when Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfumed oil. Money is readily available for the needs of the poor and the sick. Only the lack of faith and selfishness hamper generosity. SHRINES STIMULATE FAITH World religions have erected great shrines to stimulate faith in God. Only love of God produces genuine charity. In our lifetime, God has again offered convincing proof. Larry Behr and his collaborators see a 21st century connection to
the Guadalupe event. A reminder of the GUADALUPIAN MESSAGE They find inspiration for the pro-life movement and the project they spearhead, in what has transpired in the life of the Church in times preceding ours, relating these to the whole chain of Marian apparitions and messages from Guadalupe in 1531, to the here and now. In the At that time there were six abortion centers in the BRINGING NEW LIFE TO OUR NATION At Guadalupe, Jesus triumphed through Mary, resulting in the conversion of millions, and the elimination of Aztec human sacrifices. Could not Jesus triumph in a similar way today through Mary, who would bring new life to a nation which thus far honors death over life, since all fifty states have laws which allow killing innocent children through abortion? Such a triumph could convert millions of Americans and others, to the principle that the right-to-life stated in the Declaration of Independence can and must be guaranteed by law for all human persons, born and unborn. Laurence Behr is not claiming an apparition from the Virgin Mary. But he and many others do believe that his inspiration comes from God. If the source is only human inspiration, it will fade. If it finds its origin in God, then the project will succeed, provided that those who believe in it persevere in their belief and are willing to stand up and be counted. The originator of this boldly and clearly conceived project has done his homework carefully. He is articulate and waxes eloquent when presenting the dream of the Arch of Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the International Shrine of the Holy Innocents. He translated convincingly this dream into concrete terms. His motivation is solid. A distinguished team of directors, advisors, supporters—individuals and groups—have joined ranks with him. All pieces seem to fit well in a sharply distinct and integrated plan. NEVER ENOUGH FOR MARY While some may regard this as fantasy and folly, more will understand it as faith in action, hope expressed plainly, love demonstrated in living. The whole concept is redolent of the revered Church adage, De Maria nunquam satis, “we can never do enough for Mary.” After all, Jesus Christ is our model. What has he done? Now it is our turn to respond. Let the final word be that of Laurence Behr himself: “In conclusion, dear friends, we are poised to carry forward this vision into realization. Our need for your prayers and your financial support, as we launch our national and international campaign, is great. Please consider prayerfully what God might wish you to do for this great endeavor on behalf of Our Lord, our Blessed Mother, and the innocent unborn at this time.” * Published by the Montfort Missionaries and dedicated
to the Marian spirituality of |
