Parish Priest and Shrine Rector
Rev.Father Paul Joseph
Our Lady of the Taper R.C.Church
North Road
Cardigan
SA43 1LT
Tel. 01239 612615
Email cardiganshrine@yahoo.com
The original statue did not prove durable, and Mother Concordia, O.S.B., was asked to make another one in bronze. Designated as Welsh National Shrine of Our Lady, it was blessed in Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral and brought all over Wales before, on Pentecost Sunday, 18 May 1986, it was solemnly installed in the presence of 4,500 pilgrims. Its beauty catches the imagination and arouses devotion. Pope John Paul II wrote a special message for the occasion, and a taper he blessed in Rome was placed in the hand of the statue and lit.
Its symbolism is that Mary presents her Son to us, as she did to the Wise Men, to be adored. The taper testifies that he is Light of the World. Pilgrims come to pray individually and in groups. May they learn to treasure the word of God in their hearts, as Mary did, and live by the light of her Son, who is her Saviour and ours.
The pleasant market town of Cardigan is situated on the beautiful
coastline of West Wales some 20 miles north of Fishguard.
From London take the M4, and then the A48 to Carmarthen, where
you find the sign to Cardigan, which is 30 miles distant. If travelling
from the north, head for Aberystwyth. Cardigan is 38 miles south on
the A487.
The Church is on the road running north-south through town. It lies
towards the northern end, opposite the rugby field. The Shrine
Chapel and Church are most often open daily from 9:00am. If you
are making a particular visit please feel welcome to contact the
Shrine Rector in advance.
If you are staying overnight there are several good B and B guest
houses nearby in addition to local hotels.
