About the Shrine of Our Lady of South Carolina, Our Lady of Our Hope:
When it was announced at the beginning of 2003 that there would be a Diocesan Celebration of the Year of the Rosary in October of that year, Bishop Robert Baker was asked by Fr. Stan Smolenski if the diocese could be entrusted/consecrated to Our Lady and if an icon of Our Lady of South Carolina could be commissioned for that occasion. The Bishop gave his permission.
Fr. Smolenski sent a sketch to Fr. Larry Lossing of the diocese of Orlando, FL, an expert heraldry and church art. His experience includes art work for the film industry in Hollywood as well. Fr. Lossing donated the icon which he brought to the celebration in Lexington, SC on 5 October 2003. The icon was kept at the St. Katherine Drexel Volunteer Residence on Wentworth St. in Charleston until it acquired its shrine in Kingstree.
There is a statue of Mary that was carved in Vietnam and is housed in a grotto on the shrine’s grounds. The statue was donated by David and Margaret Stenglein of Roswell, Ga., who were in attendance at the dedication of the shrine on October 8, 2006.
The ceremony took place along with the annual diocesan Rosary Celebration. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Robert J. Baker. The homily was given by special guest Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, a popular host from Eternal Word Television Network.
The leader of the first pilgrims expressed the sentiments of many of them so well: “We cannot all go to Lourdes, Fatima or Medjugorje, but I can come to Our Lady of South Carolina, Our Lady of Joyful Hope”.
Traveling to the Shrine of Our Lady of South Carolina, Our Lady of Our Hope
Address: 330 E Main St, Kingstree, SC 29556
Tel: +1 (843) 355-3527
There is no official website for the shrine.
