Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady of the Taper

Introduction

Our Lady of the Taper is the only known church in Britain to possess a genuine stone from Calvary.

History

In 1904 Breton monks, in exile near Cardigan, revived the devotion, giving the title Our Lady of Cardigan to their abbey church and also to the little church they opened in town in 1912. The parish priest arranges to meet with people and help them prepare for weddings, baptisms, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Architecture and furnishings

The altar, tabernacle plinth and baptismal font are made of green slate from the famous Penrhyn quarries of Bethesda, with heptagonal pedestals to recall the seven sacraments. The Image of the Risen Christ was sculpted in clay and cast in Fiberglass infused with bronze powders, and was created and cast by Mother Concordia. Close to the Shrine, there is a carved casket crafted by Harry Comley, containing the candle blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1986 for the inauguration of Cardigan as the Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady.

Notable people and events

Mother Concordia Scott OSB was Prioress of Minster Priory in Ramsgate, and was one of the Worlds leading sculptors of religious art, and the only nun to have an international reputation as a sculptor.

Visiting

The shrine welcomes all visitors and keeps them in prayers. Visitors to the shrine light candles as a sign of their prayers. The shrine welcomes individuals and pilgrim groups, and the shrine rector helps plan pilgrimages.

Pilgrims come to pray individually and in groups at the shrine. Visitors making a particular visit are welcome to contact the Shrine Rector in advance. The church is on the road running north-south through town, towards the northern end, opposite the rugby field. There are several B and B guest houses nearby in addition to local hotels for those staying overnight.