Two events related to Marian shrines occurred during the Marian Year, 1987-88. The first was the letter from the Central Committee on the Celebration of the Marian Year (October 7, 1987) 26 to the rectors of Marian shrines. The role of a Marian shrine is outlined in  the following five sections:

1) The Shrine: Place of Worship. The liturgy, which is the principal goal of pilgrimage to a Marian shrine, should be exemplary for the quality of  the participation, the fidelity to  the rite, the richness of the content, and the beauty of  the ceremonies. Eucharistic celebrations at Marian shrines should reveal  the fullness of  the paschal mystery, communion with the universal Church, and the presence of Mary in word and symbol. The symbolism of pilgrimage should also be developed.
2) The Shrine: Focus of Culture. A Marian shrine is a center to foster cultural development. The history, traditions, and  theart of the shrine should contribute to the via pulchritudinisand to the contemplation of God's beauty revealed in Mary.
3) The Shrine: Place for Promoting Vocations. A Marian
shrine is a sign of the mysterious relationship between God's
25
"In santuariis abundantius fidelibus suppleditentur media salutis."
26
Central Committee for the Marian Year, The Ecclesial Rale of Marian Shrines,
October 7, 1987. English text, "The Mission of Marian Shrines," Catholic International 10/6 (June, 1999): 278-281. Italian text, "Consilium Primarium Anno Mariali
celebrando: Seconda lettera circolare ai Vescovi," Marianum 49 (1987): 13-23.Pilgrimages and Shrines: A Recognition Long Delayed 123
call and the person's response. A shrine is a place for announcing and celebrating the mystery of vocation within the Church.
4) The Shrine: Place of Charity. Works of charity—hospitals,
schools for the poor, homes for  the sick and elderly—give expression to  the Lord's concern for the poor, as recalled in
Mary's Magnificat, and should be part of a Marian shrine.
5) The Shrine: Center of Ecumenism. Since Mary's role and
Marian devotion have been cited as reasons for the separation
of the churches, Marian shrines should courageously assume a
role of promoting ecumenical prayer, meeting, and discussion.