National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows |
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| 38°33′30″N 90°05′17″W / 38.55833°N 90.08806°W | |
| Location | Belleville, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Religious institute | Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate |
| History | |
| Status | National shrine |
| Founded | 1958 |
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is a special Catholic place in Belleville, Illinois. It's a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This shrine is about nine miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Father Mike Powell is in charge of the Shrine. It is run by a group called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The name 'Our Lady of the Snows' comes from an old story. This story says snow fell in Rome during the summer, which led to the building of a church there.
Contents
History of the Shrine
How the Shrine Started
The idea of honoring Our Lady of the Snows in the Midwest began in 1941. A missionary named Father Paul Schulte, OMI, brought this special devotion. He set up a small shrine in a chapel at St. Henry's seminary in Belleville.
Early Gatherings
In 1943, the Oblates, a religious group, started holding a special nine-day prayer event. This event was called a novena, and it honored Our Lady of the Snows.
Building the Shrine
Father Schulte worked for many years to make the shrine a reality. Work on the shrine officially began in 1958. A sculptor named William C. Severson and an architect named Richard Cummings designed the shrine. By 1963, a beautiful reflecting pool was finished. This pool has bells that came from Germany. They were originally in a church in Chicago that was taken down.
What You Can Find at the Shrine
Places to Stay and Visit
The Shrine has many different buildings and areas for visitors. There is a restaurant and a hotel for people who want to stay overnight. There is also an apartment complex for retired people. The Oblates, who run the Shrine, have their own home there too. Visitors can also find a special center for guests and meetings, and a large gift shop.
Special Events and Displays
During the Advent and Christmas seasons, the Shrine hosts a popular event. It's called the "Way of Lights." This outdoor light display has over 1.1 million white lights. More than 350,000 people visit it every year. You can drive through the mile-and-a-half-long "Way of Lights." You can also ride in a warm trolley or a horse-drawn carriage. In the summer, people from all over the world come to pray. They gather for the Our Lady of the Snows Healing and Hope Novena.
Gardens and Holy Sites
The Shrine also has a church where people can worship. There is a natural outdoor amphitheater for events. You can walk along the Stations of the Cross, which shows Jesus' journey. There is a peaceful Resurrection Garden and a depiction of the Lourdes Grotto. This grotto looks like the famous one in France. The Shrine also has an Annunciation Garden and a special place to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. In January 2021, the Shrine Guesthouse was updated with new paint inside. Many of the Shrine's facilities can be rented for weddings, meetings, and other events.
Programs for the Community
The Oblates offer many spiritual and family programs. These programs help people in the local area and across North America. The Shrine has different departments, like Youth Ministry and Hispanic Ministry. They host various programs all year. These programs are made to help the many visitors who come to the Shrine.
Restaurant Closure
The Shrine Restaurant & Banquet Center closed in 2020. This happened because of the worldwide health situation at the time.
See also
- Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major
