The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios holds a distinction that most visitors do not expect to find in Florida: it is the oldest Marian shrine in the continental United States, established in the early 1600s when Spanish settlers in St. Augustine began their devotion to the Virgin Mary at this location. The shrine traces its origins to 1565 when Pedro Menendez de Aviles founded St. Augustine at this site. In the early 1600s, Spanish colonists and newly converted Native Americans established a formal devotion here to Our Lady of La Leche y Buen Parto - Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery - a Marian devotion focused on motherhood, pregnancy, and childbirth. The devotion came from Spain, where a similar shrine had existed in the city of St. Augustine's namesake, and it took root deeply in the life of the colonial community. The current chapel is a small, ivy-covered structure seating approximately 30 people, built in 1914 as a replica of earlier chapels on the same site dating to the 17th century. It houses an exquisitely carved statue of Mary nursing the infant Jesus - the image at the heart of the La Leche devotion. The chapel atmosphere is one of extraordinary quietness and intimacy despite the fact that it sits within one of the most-visited historic sites in Florida. In October 2019 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops elevated the shrine to national shrine status, recognizing its historical and spiritual significance to American Catholicism. A canonical coronation in 2021 placed a newly crowned image of Our Lady of La Leche in the chapel. The shrine is open for visitors Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday noon to 4:00 pm. Admission is free with donations welcomed. The shrine grounds are part of Mission Nombre de Dios, which also features the 208-foot Great Cross, walking paths, a museum, and the Sacred Acre. Many visitors specifically travel to the shrine to pray for pregnancy, safe delivery, and the wellbeing of mothers and children - a purpose it has served for over 400 years. Highlights: Oldest Marian shrine in the continental United States Established by Spanish colonists in the early 1600s Elevated to national shrine status in 2019 by US Conference of Catholic Bishops Small intimate chapel seating 30, built 1914 Houses carved statue of Mary nursing the infant Jesus Popular pilgrimage site for those seeking blessings for pregnancy and motherhood Free admission, open daily Part of Mission Nombre de Dios grounds Shares grounds with the 208-foot Great Cross Four centuries of continuous religious devotion at this location