There is a stone building called “Mary’s House” near the ancient city of Ephesus (modern-day Turkey) on a hillside named “Nightingale”. The house is simple, built on an ancient foundation first seen in a vision by German mystic, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, and rebuilt by Servant of God Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey (1837-1915), a French Sister of the Daughters of Charity. The interior as it now stands is quite plain. It has the appearance of a simple chapel, unlike the mighty basilicas built in Our Lady’s honor throughout the world. Yet, it is a dwelling befitting the humble, faithful Woman, the first Christian.
Mary’s House is a shrine operated by the Turkish government and is located in a park-like setting. There is a statue of Mary along the paved path, and her life story, translated into many languages, may be seen on placards lined up along the paths around the shrine.
Outside the house there is an area with devotional candles, Turkish-style; that is, long, thin, white tapers that are pushed into soft sand after they are lit. During my visit, I made a small donation and waited a few minutes for room to light and plant four candles for the women in my life. continued
