The newly constructed Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages was dedicated and consecrated to Our Lady on this day. Pilgrims from around the country came to join the Community of Caritas to be a part of the Dedication which had evolved into a five-day prayer retreat focused on purification and prayer for ourselves, our families and the United States, as the last day of the retreat ended on the Feast of Our Lady of the Americas, December 12. The newly constructed 35,000 square foot mission building was built to house the mission of Caritas of Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama operated by the Community of Caritas and founded by a Friend of Medjugorje. It was built for the purpose of spreading, promoting and safeguarding Our Lady’s messages. The Tabernacle of Our Lady’s Messages is made up of three levels solely for the Queen of Peace, in support of Her apparitions in Medjugorje. The first floor is a large, modern printing facility, equipped to produce every kind of printed material, ranging from a full graphic department to the finishing of books. Materials produced are transferred to the second floor shipping department, where materials are sent out to every nation of the earth. Reception and several other offices for the operation of the mission are also located on the same floor. The third floor contains a retreat center auditorium that can hold up to 400 people and writing offices. In addition, there are three small chapels, one on each floor, and archival storage to preserve for the Church, important events of Medjugorje.
