Dear Friends,

Welcome to the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios. This sacred ground has drawn people from near and far for more than 450 years, offering a place where faith, history and beauty come together.

Many visitors come here seeking the loving intercession of Our Lady of La Leche, whose gentle image has inspired devotion and brought comfort to families for generations. Others are drawn to the Great Cross, a landmark rising high above St. Augustine, reminding all who see it of the light of Christ that shines through the ages. Still others arrive with a love for history, eager to walk the very soil where Spanish settlers and Franciscan missionaries first celebrated Mass in 1565.

Whether you come as a pilgrim, a traveler or a history buff, you will discover that the National Shrine and the historic Mission Nombre de Dios share the same grounds and story. Nestled along the tranquil and beautiful Matanzas Bay, these sacred grounds offer a place to pray, to learn and to encounter God’s presence in a setting that invites peace and reflection.

If there is anything you need during your visit, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our staff and volunteers are here to assist you and to help make your time with us a true and memorable experience.

May the peace of Christ and the maternal care of Our Lady of La Leche bless you always.

In Christ,

Very Rev. Timothy Lindenfelser, J.C.L., V.F.
Rector, National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche