Why a Shrine to Mary beside the highway?
In 1968, on a foggy October night, seven automobiles collided on interstate 95, just a few yards from an Oblate house. Many Oblates assisted the injured and dying on this busy highway.
Later, the Oblates erected a statue of our Lady as a memorial to those who died, and as a reminder to all motorists to drive safely. This monument was dedicated as a Shrine to Our Lady of the Highways to invoke Mary, Christ's mother, as the protector of travelers.
Thus began a spiritual movement that asks the Mother of Jesus, to intercede and protect travelers across the country. This became known as Mary’s Travelers and is a way the Oblates and their supporters have helped people on the road of life.
The original statue, erected in 1971, was 5 feet tall and made of cement. Replaced in 1986 with a 12-foot-tall marble statue, carved out from Carrara marble.
The Shrine before restoration.
The Shrine before after restoration.
Historic News Articles
![1988 15th Anniversary article](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650997736665-F37ZCGM2F7IZVAB7P6XU/founding.png)
![Dermarva Dialog Article 1972](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650998014284-4SUKED66EFNHM6ZT0VYV/1972.png)
![Washington Post Article, 2004](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650998011160-93UJBJ895TKZFU3QN5G5/prayers+and+packing.png)
![Original Mary's Travelers Prayer Card](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650998012385-HJS7ZANLBKYZQBORIYT9/OLH+Prayer+Card+Front.jpg)
![Washington Post Article, 1986](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650998011449-D7N6T8OLRQN4M3IBAFCU/olh+1986.png)
![Washington Post Article, 1986](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650997729606-4IQWCJMTCC4WEJGYTSIC/1986.png)
![Evening Journal, 1974](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57082740746fb9895f9277d8/1650998013653-V76HN0PLDCAL52GS1P8U/OLH+Article_1974.jpg)
Our Lady of the Highways
(Catholic News Service)
Our Lady of the Highways Song
(Zoe Mulford)