at the shrine \ Sights to see

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon is a Maronite Catholic church under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in St. Louis, Mo. Monsignor Anthony Spinosa is shrine rector.

Location: 2759 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson. The 80-acre property borders Meander Reservoir.

Landmark: Mary’s Tower is a replica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, near Beirut, in Lebanon. The tower is 50 feet high and weighs 3,700 tons. Mary’s Tower features an exterior staircase with 64 steps that lead to a 16-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, which is carved of rose granite and weighs 7.5 tons. The tower houses a small chapel for about 40 people and has a marble altar. Tony and Mary Lariccia, local philanthropists, donated $100,000 to the renovation project that took place in the fall of 2007. The overall cost was $105,000 with other donations from Maronite churches, individuals and the Knights of Columbus at St. Maron’s Church in Youngstown.

Outdoor worship sites: St. Joseph Garden, Martyrs Meditation and the Stations of the Cross.

Shrines: In honor of Jesus, Divine Mercy, Infant Jesus of Prague and Sacred Heart of Jesus; in honor of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Immaculate Conception, Sorrowful Mother and Our Lady of Fatima; and in honor of St. Joseph, St. Ann, St. Anthony, St. Dympha, St. Jude, St. Philomena, St. Sharbel, St. Rita, St. Theresa Little Flower and St. Padre Pio.

Chapels: The Prince of Peace Chapel is one of two chapels on the ground; the other is in Mary’s Tower. It was dedicated in 1987, renovated in 2006 and includes new icons on the altar. There also is an area referred to as the Chapel of Deceased Priests, which is part of the main building.

Gift shop: The gift shop offers traditional Catholic books, indoor and outdoor statuary, jewelry, music, nativities, crucifixes and other inspirational gifts. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Reception center: The Cedars Reception Center features a main hall that can seat 450 and the Antioch Room for gatherings of up to 50. The center is used for wedding receptions, school banquets, anniversaries, holiday events, graduations, fund-raisers and corporate events.