According to Anne Pryor, a cultural anthropologist, this shrine was erected to demonstrate the patriotism of Catholics; Protestant Americans of the time believed that Catholics' allegiance to the Pope conflicted with their allegiance to the United States.
Anne Pryor, a cultural anthropologist, explains that this shrine was built to show the patriotism of Catholics. Protestants in the past thought that Catholics' loyalty to the Pope contradicted their loyalty to the United States.