An Exciting Change of Plans

This morning, Tuesday, I woke up pondering Peggy and my options for the rest of our whirlwind three-week "Celebrate Retirement!" Trip:  #1) go directly home? (but I'm not expected until Wednesday at dinner time - why upset the applecart?), #2) fight Memphis rush hour traffic to spend time on the river? (groan! I hate rush hour traffic! Besides, we know what the river looks like.)  or #3) I wonder how far it is to Hanceville, Alabama?

Last spring, when I first decided where and when I wanted to travel, I sent away for tourist guides and maps from all eleven states I'd be passing through.  I kept those from the Florida Panhandle west to Texas and Peggy kept those from Lexington, Kentucky, south to Port St. Lucie, Florida.  We made notes about the locations we'd particularly like to see because there were several 'free', uncommitted days.  Then we exchanged piles.  Finally we had lunch together and planned strategy to coincide with my relatives' plans. 

When traveling WEST through Alabama on the way to Texas, we noticed that one of our desired 'free day' destinations was Hanceville, the location of The Blessed Sacrament Shrine, home of the nuns of Mother Angelica, founder of our favorite TV station, EWTN, Eternal Word Television Network, the global Catholic TV station. Hanceville was just too far north for us to consider a deviation from the planned trek to Texas. But now, how close are we to Hanceville?

Peggy and I chatted, I mapquested the distance and found Hanceville is extremely close to I-65-north, the LAST interstate road to Kentucky!  We could both visit the Shrine in Hanceville and return home on time!!  We agreed: Hanceville was the best course!  Pack up, head out, set the GPS for Hanceville!

From the Memphis area, we dipped south again to Mississippi.  In Corinth, Mississippi, I remembered that my dad used to work here, in his youth.  His mother, Hetty Maybelle, was living slightly north, in Savannah, Tennessee, at the time of her death in the 1970's.  This was close to Saltillo, Tennessee, dad's birthplace in 1914.  I vow to return soon.

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is pleasantly way out in the country on two-lane roads where you take the yellow arrow signs on the curves seriously and slow down.  When we first see the entrance, we are already enchanted.  This is much better than expected.

Entrance gates, Most Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Hanceville, Alabama

Following the winding road to the church, we are intrigued by the perfect grounds and the far-away mountain vista.  At last the church appears, incredibly much larger than we imagined from seeing it on EWTN-TV.

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hanceville, Alabama

Something unanticipated is the large gift shop, St. Michael's Castle.  We rush to visit this because it closes earlier than the church.  Inside, it is a wonder of knight's armor, 'castle' decor.  We have just enough time to search through the treasures of what Mother Angelica calls, "holy reminders," objects such as pictures, statues, rosaries, books, etc., that direct our attention to the Divine, holy persons.

Castle San Miguel, Gift Shop and Offices at Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Hanceville, Alabama

Next we visit the church at Adoration Time.  Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed high above the altar.  A sign requests silence, appropriate dress, and no photographs. The grandeur and beauty and holiness of this church is really inexpressible.  Treat yourself to a pilgrimage here someday.  Peggy and I are so delighted with the church, the grounds, various other quiet places to meditate, that we hope our friends at our home church in Lexington, Christ the King, will also come.  One short visit is not enough!

We carefully stow our purchases in the car, once again drive through the back roads and at last, are on Highway Interstate 65!!  We'll be home tomorrow!  We muse that when far-flung friends and family get to visit, it is an exciting time, like a shot of Vitamin B-12 (we make NO apologies for being nurses; that is what we are!).  For us, this whole trip has been like a shot of Vitamin B-1000!