Maria Stein Shrine of The Holy Relics

It all started at the National Eucharistic Congress, that’s where I was taking photos and capturing footage for Relevant Radio, and that’s where Mark spotted me!

Mark is the executive director of Maria Stein Shrine and an amazing person, he manages the entire property of the Shrine, has quite a few employees, and strategizes how to make this beautiful place more visible to visitors from the Ohio state and the USA.

We connected with Mark over Zoom, after the Congress, and shared our experiences. We still were “hyped” about the event we both couldn’t wait for the next one. 

He was looking to elevate his social media presence with beautiful visuals, that’s why he approached me after seeing my work on Instagram. 

Wait, wait, that’s not what I want to talk about, in this article I want to tell more about my experience visiting Shrine and the its surroundings. And let me be very honest with you but I didn’t have high expectations about “middle of nowhere” in Ohio! (Me and my big city pride always getting in the way ;). 

After realizing that it is a 4,5h ride from Chicago I asked my friend Thomas if he would like to join me on this trip and he was available! Mark recommended Retreat House which is located only a few hundred feet from the Shrine for accommodation. So that is where we set up our directions and hit the Skyway Hwy to see “Sunrise in Ohio”. 

We made a quick stop in Fort Wayne in Mi Pueblo restaurant for lunch and I mention that only because I have had the best Mexican food ever! 

5 pm was already on the clock when we got to the Spiritual Center (1h ahead of Chicago).  Patti welcomed us warmly and I immediately felt peace.

I knew I was in the right place, after a quick shower we went with Thomas to explore the surroundings and everything was kept to the highest standards, Stations of the Cross, walking path in the forest, and sitting areas, everything was perfectly maintained and putting you in a good state of mind to pray and meditate. 

This evening I took some drone shots of the Shrine, it was too late to go inside, so I couldn’t wait for tomorrow morning. 

We wanted to get some food in the late evening, and here is where I was surprised when we found Moeller Brew Barn, it is one of the most amazing breweries I have ever seen! Yes, here in the middle of Ohio, we found top-notch beer crafted by locals in a huge facility where we would spend much more time if they didn’t close at 10 pm (it was Tuesday).

The next day started early as I wanted to take photos of the Shrine during the sunrise, (golden hour ;), right after that I knew I needed a coffee, and here came another surprise, we found Winans Coffee & Chocolate only a few minutes drive from the Spiritual Center, and that place was so good, that I would consider moving to Ohio just to have a coffee and chocolate there every day!

Time to get back to work, I finally met Mark in person in the morning, and I was given the creative freedom to capture the beauty of this place. I started with a Chaple in the Woods, a small chapel dedicated to Mary in a local park. 

Moving towards the Shrine I captured the cemetery where are laid over 530 nuns that used to be in the covenant located here. The peaceful and sunny day was great for reflection, every person passing you had a smile on their face and greeted you often looking for a short talk. 

It just feels good to be here! I photographed the courtyard and then I went to capture the interior, that’s when I finally got a chance to visit the chapel of the Relics and the main chapel. 

I must say that is very powerful to be around 1200 relics, it seems to me like those relics and faith that you can find here make this place so unique. 

My friend Thomas in the meantime made some new friends and they were set up for some drawing in the backyard. I went to photograph museum, located on the second floor and of course, couldn’t resist getting honey and jam from the bake shop.

In the end, I sat down with Thomas and our new friends Isabel, and Ella and enjoyed a perfect day in this little heaven. We needed to head back to Chicago this afternoon, we stopped in Do Good restaurant and that was another great place around which makes this place even more attractive for people to visit, good coffee, good food, good beer, 1200 relics, and 100% Catholics :). 

I am coming back for Octoberfest!