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formally opened as a shrine for pilgrims by Bishop Felipe Estevez in 2015, our land was first consecrated in 1513 under the title pascua de la florida (Florida of the Lord's Resurrection).
About The Shrine
In 1565, Spain established the first parish Church in the Modern-day US in nearby st. Augustine. Early Spanish missionaries and pilgrims brought the devotion to Our Lady of La Leche with them.
Prayers to Our Lady of La Leche
join the guild of Our Lady of La Leche
The Spanish established missions, or collaborative communities between Franciscan priests and Catholic native Americans, throughout Florida.
Many of the missions were located here, in the santa fe region. On this land, hundreds of thousands of people lived our catholic faith for over 100 years. when you visit our site, you share fellowship with these holy forebears.
Map of local missions (coming soon)
in 1704, the missions were attacked by British settlers who opposed the catholic faith. Many native american catholics were martyred, while others fled. We pray for these holy persons to be recognized by the Church as saints.
prayer for the beatification of the florida martyrs (Coming Soon)
The Catholic faith lay dormant here for over 200 years, awaiting resurrection. Then in 1925, catholics built our present structure in downtown high springs. in 1979, this structure was relocated to our current site, reclaiming the site from its previous sordid use. We continue the work of prayer, faith, and witness first begun in 1513.
our shrine is a ministry of the diocese of st. Augustine (with our bishop Erik Pohlmeier) and of St. Madeleine Parish (with our pastor, Fr. Sebastian George CMI).
Our Parish website
Sacraments
Events (Coming Soon)
when you come as a pilgrim, you will find a place not only in our parish and diocese, but in the universal church across the centuries. At our shrine, Join Catholics from every tribe and nation and tongue in worshiping the Lamb and in taking Mary as our Mother.
Our Lady of La Leche, Pray for Us.
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