Madonna Shrine & Don Orione Home
One of the most recognizable icons of East Boston is the 35-foot (11 m)-high statue of the Madonna. The Madonna Shrine, at the top of Orient Heights overlooking the airport and Downtown areas, is the national headquarters for the Don Orione order. Constructed in 1954, the statue is a full-size replica of one at the Don Orione Center in the Montemario district of Rome, Italy. It was constructed in 1954 by Jewish-Italian sculptor Arrigo Minerbi, who wanted to show his gratitude to the Catholic Church for having shielded him and his family from the Nazis during World War II. Across the street from the Shrine is the Don Orione Home, a nursing home which, like the Shrine, was founded by the Don Orione priests. The Shrine and Home were founded in 1951 by the Don Orione priests, led by Fr. Rocco Crescenzi (January 6, 1916 - April 3, 2011), who was sent from Italy for this purpose. Crescenzi had been an errand boy for St. Orione himself.The nonagenarian Crescenzi was still active at the Home and Shrine.
Read more about this topic: Orient Heights
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