(many pictures - - - please let page load)

About three blocks to the west of the Our Lady of Consolation Shrine and Basilica is Shrine Park.  Shrine Park contains outdoor Stations of Cross displays, statues of various saints and a memorial altar dedicated to America's war dead.  This is one of the most peaceful places I have been to in my life, yet it offers a sense of solemnity I have not encountered elsewhere except for maybe at the Virgin Mary's House at Ephesus in Turkey.

When you enter Shrine Park, you are struck by the huge memorial altar at the end of a long drive.

Circling back down from the memorial altar, St. Francis of Assisi sits with his favorites, the animals.  (Look at the tail on the rabbit--it looks like it belongs on a squirrel!)

This statue of the Holy Family is inspiring--almost the way my Mom used to speak of them--working together in the family carpentry shop!

On the side of the park is a statue of Christ sitting on his Cross waiting to be crucified.  This is a awe-inspiring sight, so I will dispense with my usual commentary and just post the pictures below.