About Christmas Light Display Photos and Video of At Our Lady La Salette Shrine Attleboro, MA In Images
See A Clip of La Salette's Lights!
Our Lady of La Salette Shrine Christmas Light Display
Imagine driving down the road in a small country town, say, Route 118 in Attleboro, Massachusetts. It's dark and the road is windy. As you are driving, you begin to see a strange phenomenon in the distance; multicolored lights, and a lot of them!
As you get closer you realize that this is no alien invasion. This is the Annual Lighting of the Trees at La Salette Shrine! Many families come each year to gaze in awe at the spectacle of lights. Some families come from very far away just to experience this beautiful place. There is tons to see and do.
Parking and Admission are FREE!
Looking For Directions to The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, MA?
Get Directions Here!
A Quick History of La Salette
This National Shrine is dedicated to the Apparition of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ which occurred in September of 1846, to two young shepherd children in a small corner of the French Alps.
On September 19 of that year, Mary the Blessed Mother of Jesus appeared to these two young children and gave them a message to share with the world.
The message was that of Reconciliation and in 1852 the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette was founded to keep the memory of the Apparition alive.
This Mission spread from Hartford, Connecticut all the way to Wisconsin, Texas, and California. Follow this article for a brief history of the Shrine and to see Video and Photos of this beautiful Christmas Light Display!
Sanatorium Facts
The Original Sanatorium Had:
- 475,709 Bricks
- 309 Windows
- 3,254 Window Panes
- 21 Fire Places
- 200 Rooms
- 27 Miles of Electrical Wire!
- 1,800 Electric Lights!
- Cost: $400,000
So Why Attleboro, MA?
Why did Attleboro, Massachusetts become the site for the Shrine?
A man named James Solomon from Attleboro was a "Doctor" of sorts. Although not a licensed Medical Doctor, Mr. Solomon was known as a "Healer" using Herbal Remedies. His purpose was to find a cure for cancer and he believed it was possible through the use of Herbs and Roots.
He owned the property where the Shrine is now located and he decided to build a place that people could come and pray for healing.
In 1901, the project was underway and was funded by local businesses. The Sanitarium was completed and dedicated on April 25, 1903 and was celebrated with music and parades.
The most noticeable thing about this place was all the lights, which was very rare in the early years of electric lighting.
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Unfortunately, Solomon ran out of money and couldn't maintain the place so the Methodist Church purchased it in 1919 and changed the name to "Attleboro Springs". There is a natural Spring Water spring there and they saw that name fit until they too couldn't maintain the grounds and closed it down in 1938.
The La Salette Missionaries bought the property in 1942 and used it as a Seminary. The Shrine was erected between 1952 and 1953 and the original statue is still on the site where people can view it in the New Theater lobby.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette was officially opened on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1953. There was fireworks, a Nativity Scene and over 5,000 people showed up for the event.
Print Out This Map of The Grounds at La Salette Shrine
La Salette Shrine in Modern Times
La Salette Shrine has grown from one man's idea into a place that many people, over 500,000 per year in one month, come to visit to see the Spectacular Lights. The Shrine boasts over 300,00 lights and seems to grow each year. The Shrine is in the process of changing over to "Green" technology to be more environmentally friendly, as well as saving money. Although they won't say how much the electric bill is at the Shrine, we can imagine that it is a lot! The Shrine always welcomes donations.
Additional Information
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The Shrine boasts a Large Gift Shop
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During Christmas there are many activities including a Carousel, Hot Beverages, and many other Treats!
In November of 1999 a tragic fire ripped through the grounds at La Salette and took with it a Dear Priest and "Solomon's Sanatorium" was destroyed. The caretakers immediately took action and within a year, the "Church of Our Lady of La Salette" was dedicated on September 19, 2000.
There is an irony in the air regarding all the light that has shone on these sacred grounds for so many years to be destroyed in a single night by a greater light of fire. The faithful are strong however, and so time passes by and the number of visitors to the Shrine increases every Christmas Season. This is a great place to visit with your friends and family during the Holiday Season! Hope to see you there!
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