National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows - Belleville, Illinois

(Photo provided by Our Lady of the Snows)

Destination: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville is maintained by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Oblates were founded in France by St. Eugene De Mazenod in the year 1816. One of the largest orders in the world, it has grown to 4,500 priests and brothers serving in 71 countries. Oblates first arrived in North America in 1841. Work on the Belleville shrine began in the summer of 1958.
Our Lady of the Snows offers Masses in English at 7:30 a.m. and  11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, at 5 p.m. Saturday, and at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Spanish Masses are offered at 7 p.m. Sunday. A variety of other services are offered; check the Web site.
Why to go: Devotion to Mary as Our Lady of the Snows is one of the oldest practices of the church. It has direct ties to the legend about a marvelous snowfall in Rome in 352 A.D. The Illinois shrine features a number of devotional areas, many of them in beautiful outdoor settings. One is Annunciation Garden (above), which stands  on a hill overlooking the Main Shrine.
Special events: The shrine will host the Way of Lights daily, 5-10 p.m., Nov. 21, 2008, through Jan. 4, 2009. The lighted displays on the grounds tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Indoor activities including an interactive Children’s Village, puppet show, Christmas tree and  wreath display, community choirs, and more. Admission is free.
During Advent, Las Mañanitas will be marked with an 11:30 p.m., Dec. 11, serenade to Our Lady at Guadalupe
Hill, followed by a midnight Mass at Our Lady of the Snows Church. The celebration ends with pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) and hot chocolate.
Amenities: A gift shop, hotel and restaurant on the grounds make short and long visits easy to plan.
Access: With retirement living facilities on the grounds, accessibility is important for residents and visitors.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Check out the play area in the Children’s Memorial Garden, where there are plenty of ways to burn off “car-ride” energy, and colorful pictures of the seven days of creation.
Info: Address: 442 South De Mazenod Dr., Belleville, IL 62223-1023. Phone: 618/397-6700 or 800/682-2879. Web: www.snows.org

--Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld

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