Rosary Courts
Flanking the Outdoor Main Altar are stairways leading to the three Rosary Courts. The Joyful Mystery Court and the Glorious Mystery Court are found near the two entrances of the Christ the King Chapel on the lower level of the Main Shrine complex. The Sorrowful Mysteries are located within the Chapel itself.
The Joyful Mystery Court depicts the Annuniciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, and the Finding of the Child Jesus. The Glorious Mystery Court depicts the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Assumption, and the Coronation of Mary. The Sorrowful Mysteries depicted are the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning of Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
Each mystery is depicted in full color, and was designed by artist Rodney Winfield and installed by the Ravenna Mosaic Studios.
The Rosary Court mosaics follow simple designs rich in Christian symbolism.
The mosaic is a rare art form dating back more than sixteen centuries. Thousands of tiny pieces of colored glass, precious and semi-precious stones, are set at varying angles to enhance the play of light and shadow to create a single, elegant design.
Paul Heudeck, founder and owner of the Ravenna Mosaic Studios, was brought over from Germany to do the mosaic work at the St. Louis Cathedral. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows was very fortunate to secure the services of the Ravenna firm to fabricate and install the mosaics in the Rosary Courts.
Tiers of multi-colored votive candles are lit in prayerful remembrance for the intentions of Shrine visitors and members of the Missionary Association. The many candles form a rainbow of warm, soft light along the Rosary Court walkways.