Lightning struck the arms, feet and the base of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado on Saturday, May 19th in the late afternoon. Speaking in a television interview, Sr. Bernadette Casciano, MSC, Shrine Administrator expressed gratitude that no one was hurt in the incident. The Sisters have begun to research how the statue might be restored in order to bring this prominent historic landmark back to its original beauty.

Mother Cabrini Shrine, located beyond the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado was established by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini for the purpose of spreading the gospel and providing a peaceful summer atmosphere for orphan children. On this site, Mother Cabrini arranged large white stones in the shape of a heart, surrounded by a smaller stone cross and crown of thorns. This image depicted her love and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After her canonization in 1946 the summer camp became a shrine in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Cabrini. Three hundred and seventy three steps lead to the 22-foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which sits on an 11 foot base. The statue was carved by an Italian artist and brought to the United States in five pieces and was erected on this site in 1954.

Mother Cabrini Shrine is a place of prayer, pilgrimage and a spiritual haven of healing for people from all over the world. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, founded by Mother Cabrini, own, operate and sponsor Mother Cabrini Shrine. The Shrine is supported only by donations and sales from our gift shop.

A Sacred Heart Statue Restoration Fund has been set up for those wanting to contribute. These funds will be used to repair the hands and feet of Jesus. The Missionary Sisters and the staff at the Shrine are in the process of working with their insurance company and structural engineers to assess the damage.

The Shrine remains open during normal operating hours from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Daily mass is at 7:30 a.m. and Sunday Masses are 7:30 and 11 a.m. The gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All normal activity continues.

To help restore the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus please take a moment to make an online donation.

To learn more about the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, CO, please visit www.mothercabrinishrine.org

View a news clip of the Sr. Bernadette Casciano, MSC speaking on Denver television about the damage.