Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| District | Diocese of La Crosse |
| Patron | Our Lady of Guadalupe |
| Location | |
| Location | La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Duncan G. Stroik |
| Architectural style | New Classical |
| Founder | Raymond Leo Burke |
| Groundbreaking | 2004 |
| Completed | 2008 |
| Website | |
| guadalupeshrine.org | |
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a special Catholic place in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the name Our Lady of Guadalupe. The shrine covers about 100 acres (40 hectares) of land.
On the grounds, you can find a visitors' center and outdoor areas for prayer. These include a rosary walk, Stations of the Cross, and a chapel for votive candles. Daily Mass and the sacrament of Penance (confession) are offered by priests called Norbertine canons.
Building the main shrine church started on May 13, 2004. It was officially opened on July 31, 2008. Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke was the person who started and later dedicated the shrine.
How the Shrine Began
The idea for the shrine came from Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke. When he was the Bishop of La Crosse, he wanted to create a lasting place for Catholics to go on a special religious journey, called a pilgrimage.
In 1999, he sent a letter to the Vatican (the home of the Pope) about his idea. The Vatican approved the project in November 1999. Robert and Lucille Swing then donated 70 acres (28 hectares) of woodland for the shrine. Construction began on June 17, 2001.
Building the Shrine in Stages
The first part of the project was the Pilgrim Center. This building has an orientation room, an information desk, a gift shop called Flores Mariae, and a restaurant called Culina Mariana. It also includes the Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel. This first stage was finished and opened on December 12, 2002.
The second stage added outdoor prayer areas. These included the Stations of the Cross, a special area for Saint Joseph the Workman, and a rosary walk. Work also began on the main shrine church during this time. The church's groundbreaking was on May 13, 2004. The Stations of the Cross were dedicated on December 9, 2004. The Saint Joseph area opened on September 21, 2007, and the rosary walk on December 8, 2007.
The third stage involved starting the Memorial to the Unborn on October 29, 2007.
The main shrine church was officially dedicated on July 31, 2008. Cardinal Burke led the dedication Mass. He was joined by other important church leaders. The ceremony included an honor guard and many priests and church members.
The Memorial to the Unborn was completed on December 12, 2008. Archbishop Burke also dedicated this area.
In August 2021, the Norbertine canons from St. Michael's Abbey took over caring for the shrine.
The Shrine Church
Church Design
The shrine church was designed by architect Duncan G. Stroik. It was built in a style called New Classical, which looks back to older, traditional designs. The church's style is like Italian Renaissance buildings. It was one of the first Catholic churches in 50 years to be designed this way. The outside of the church uses stone from Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is meant to remind people of buildings in Tuscany, Italy.
Inside the Church
In July 2011, Pope Benedict XVI connected the shrine church to the important St. Mary Major basilica in Rome. This connection inspired much of the church's inside design.
The church has a cross-shaped floor plan. It includes a large entrance area (narthex) and a walkway (ambulatory) that connects the main seating area (nave) to two sacristies (rooms where priests prepare). The inside of the main prayer area (sanctuary) looks like a high Renaissance or Baroque church. Marble from Minnesota was used for the floors and other parts. The pews, doors, and other wooden parts are made of mahogany.
Many artists worked together on the church's artwork. The decorative painting and plasterwork were done by experts from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The dome ceiling is painted to look like a turquoise sky with gold stars. Astronomers helped make sure the stars matched the night sky over Mexico City in 1531 during the Winter Solstice. Thirty-one stained-glass windows were made and installed by a studio in New York.
A large painting called a fresco is in the entrance area. It is titled "Visions of Guadalupe." This painting shows scenes of Mary appearing to Juan Diego. Around the fresco are images of people who worked for the faith.
Along the sides of the church, there are six paintings of saints. Five of these saints lived in the 20th century. These include Peregrine Laziosi, Gianna Beretta Molla, Miguel Pro, Thérèse of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalska, and Maria Goretti. There are also three paintings in the lower entrance area. These show Samuel Mazzuchelli, Frederic Baraga, and Solanus Casey.
Church Sculptures
Many sculptures inside and outside the church were carved in Italy from Carrara marble. Above the main entrance outside, there is a statue of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. To his right is Saint Peter, and to his left is Saint Paul. In the middle of the plaza, there is a statue of Juan Diego showing his special cloak (his tilma) to Bishop Zumárraga.
Inside the church, there are statues in each of the side sections (transepts). The south transept has statues of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and of Juan Diego. The north transept has statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of St. Joseph with Jesus.
Church Mosaic
The main prayer area of the church has a mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This mosaic was made by The Vatican Mosaic Studio. It is 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall and 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide.
Special Relics
The shrine has "1st Class relics" of several saints. A relic is a small piece of something connected to a saint, like a piece of clothing or bone. These are considered very special.
- Miguel Pro - found in the church altar and a side shrine
- Kateri Tekakwitha - in the church altar
- Therese of Lisieux - in a side shrine
- Peregrine Laziosi - in a side shrine
- Maria Goretti - in a side shrine
- Faustina Kowalska - in a side shrine
- Gianna Beretta Molla - in a side shrine
Exploring the Grounds
The shrine is easy for everyone to visit, including those with mobility challenges. There are motorized carts and volunteers to help people get around.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a series of 14 bronze artworks. They show the journey of Jesus on the day he was crucified.
Rosary Walk
The Rosary Walk has four special areas, called alcoves. Each alcove has five blue tiles, and each tile shows a different mystery of the rosary.
Saint Joseph the Workman Area
This area includes a fountain and a bronze artwork. It shows Saint Joseph the Workman teaching Jesus. In the background, you can see images of Archbishop Burke, who started the shrine, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Swing, who donated the land. This area was opened on September 21, 2007.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Area
This quiet area has a large bronze statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as the "Lily of the Mohawks." The statue was created by artist Cynthia Hitschler. It was dedicated on July 30, 2008. The artwork shows Kateri kneeling in a natural setting, wearing buckskin. She is praying before a simple cross. Next to her is a basket with strawberries, a calla lily, and the "three sister" plants: corn, squash, and beans.
Memorial to the Unborn
The Memorial to the Unborn is a place to remember children who passed away before birth. It offers a peaceful space for parents, family, and friends to find comfort and healing.
Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel
The Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel holds 576 votive candles. These are small candles lit by visitors as a prayer or offering. Seven stained-glass windows surround the chapel. Each window shows a different name or appearance of Our Lady. The central candle structure is 14 feet (4.3 meters) high and 12 feet (3.7 meters) across.
Culina Mariana Café
The Culina Mariana Café is a restaurant located in the Pilgrim Center. It has a European bistro style.
Flores Mariae Gift Shop
The Flores Mariae is a gift shop inside the Pilgrim Center. It offers books about the Catholic faith and other religious items.
See also
