SPRINGFIELD – Chicopee resident Marie Proulx Meder had always admired the statue of the Virgin Mary that can be seen in Warren, Mass., by passers-by on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

After reading a column about the statue in a local newspaper, Meder thought it would be interesting to find and photograph other Mary statues in the yards of residents throughout the region.

In an email sent to the Springfield Diocese’s Catholic Communications ministry this week, Meder noted she “has discovered numerous statues of various sizes and colors, in various environs, several as old as 50 years.”

One “Mary’s Garden” statue she discovered recently, pictured above and at right, is located in the Bronx, N.Y.

“There are probably many more ‘hidden,’ ‘secret’ gardens in nooks, crannies or backyards not visible from the road,” she continued. So she is asking local residents to assist her in her “quest to bring attention to and uncover the beautiful shrines people create to demonstrate their devotion to Our Lady.”

Meder wrote that she “envisions compiling photographs and/or stories behind the statues to share with local residents in order that they may experience the beauty, joy and inspiration that Mary Gardens provide.”

She invites anyone interested in participating in the project to contact her by email at marysgardenproject@aol.com.