National Shrine of St. Thérèse — Darien, Ill.

Destination: The Observer is no stranger to the National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Darien, a pleasant day trip away from the Rockford Diocese. Years ago, when we featured this shrine, it held the largest collection of relics and memorabilia of St. Thérèse of Lisieux outside of France — and it still does! Now the shrine is also home to a “family reunion” of the relics of St. Thérèse’s parents, SS. Louis and Zélie Martin. 

The shrine is hosting the traveling relics from Sept. 17 through St. Thérèse’s feast day Oct. 1. Daily hours  during this time are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Typically, these are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). The Society of the Little Flower, who sponsors both the shrine and the visit, encourages guests to visit before Oct. 1, when large crowds are expected. 

Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Photos: Top — Visitors view the Centennial Reliquary of St. Thérèse and the reliquary of her parents, SS. Louis and Zélie Martin. The national shrine in Darien is hosting the relics for two weeks through Oct. 1 (Photo provided/https://www.littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese/).

Bottom — The entrance of the National Shrine of St. Thérèse (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).

Why to go: SS. Louis and Zélie (Guerin) Martin married in 1858 after individually attempting to enter religious vocations. They had nine children, and all five who survived infancy entered religious life. Together the couple strove to raise their children with love and virtue and taught them to seek holiness through the devotions of the Church. They were beatified in 2009. 

The shrine and museum include highlights like photographs and paintings of scenes from St. Thérèse’s life, a prayer gazebo, and a full-sized exact replica of her convent cell which includes several second-class relics. 

Admission: Unless visiting in a tour program, admission is always free and no reservation is needed. 

Accessibility: The shrine and the retreat center are wheelchair-accessible. Ample parking is available.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! They might enjoy finding the map of North America that St. Thérèse made when she was 12. Just like them, the “Little Flower” was once small too.

Info: Address — National Shrine of St. Therese, 8501 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561 
Phone — 800-621-2806
Website — https://www.littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with some information provided by Sharon Boehlefeld. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel -- Chicago, Ill.

Destination: For members of St. Rita of Cascia Parishes in Aurora and Rockford, their parish patron’s feast day is coming up on May 22. The national shrine dedicated to her is getting ready to celebrate with a novena, Masses and a blessing with her relic — but all of that is over 12 hours away in Philadelphia!

Fortunately, a small, peaceful shrine is tucked away in St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, just an hour or so away from Aurora and Rockford. 

Novenas, Mass and confessions are held on the first Thursday of each month at the shrine, starting at 6 p.m. (confessions at 6 p.m., and novena and Mass at 7 p.m.). 

Photos: Top — Augustinian Father Jack Tierney welcomes visitors to the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in a video on the shrine’s website (Observer screengrab/ Megan Peterson).

Bottom — One of the shrine’s mosaics depicts St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Photo/ St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel).

Why to go: The shrine was established in 1905 and moved to its current location in 1990. It has been served by Augustinian friars since 1907, who continue to serve the shrine and the school today. 

The shrine holds a mix of new and original art and artifacts. A reliquary holds a first-class relic of St. Rita  of Cascia. Hanging banners and stained-glass windows tell the life story of the 15th-century wife, mother, widow and Augustinian nun, known as the patron saint of impossible causes who aids those in times of difficulty.  

Mosaics and statues around the chapel also depict nine saints, including new saints like St. Pope John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta. 

Admission: There is no cost to visit, though hours are infrequent due to the school schedule. An email list is the best way to find out about new events; sign up at https://tinyurl.com/4bcpy5rp or email shrine@stritahs.com with any questions. 

Accessibility: The school campus is designed to be wheelchair-accessible for students. Ramps and elevators (as needed) are present. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: The chapel is housed in a kid-friendly school already, so they are welcome! And, better yet, if your grandson has the opportunity to meet one of the friars, he may be opened to the idea of discerning religious life.  

Info: Address — St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave. Chicago, Ill.  

Phone — 773-925-6600 (ext. 6626) 

Website — https://www.stritashrinechicago.com/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré -- Quebec City, Quebec

Destination: The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, a shrine to St. Anne, mother of Mary, caught our attention when Pope Francis celebrated Mass there during his July 24-29 visit to Canada. Established in 1658, the basilica is the oldest pilgrimage site in North America. 

According to tradition, the shrine’s site marks a miraculous intervention by St. Anne. A sailing crew from Brittany, France, was caught in a storm and prayed to St. Anne, promising her a sanctuary if she saved them. 

Masses and rosaries at the basilica are said in French.  

Photos: Top -- Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré during his July 24-29 visit to Canada. (CNS photo/Chaz Muth)

Middle -- The pillars at the entrance are covered with braces, crutches and canes of those who have been healed at the shrine. (Photo/ Gone with the Family)

Why to go: The basilica has much to see for lovers of sacred art, from stained glass to statues to mosaics of St. Anne’s life that cover the ceiling. 

Many also travel to the basilica for healing, which began when a construction worker was cured of his scoliosis after helping to lay the foundation. 

The basilica holds three relics of St. Anne, portions of bone of her finger and forearm. 

Admission: No cost, though the shrine does include a store. Donations are welcome. 

Accessibility: The website illustrates that the basilica is wheelchair accessible. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: A Mass in a different language may be difficult for kids to sit through, but they may enjoy seeing the beauty of the art inside and exploring the grounds instead.

Info: Address — Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, 10018 Ave Royale, Quebec G0A 3C0, Canada
Phone — 418-827-3781
Website — https://sanctuairesainteanne.org/en

— Megan Peterson compiled this story. 
Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St Padre Pio Relics - LaCrosse and Kenosha, Wis.

(Observer photo/ The Saint Pio Foundation)

Destination: Relics of the renowned 20th century mystic and healer, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina  — better known as Padre Pio — will be touring stopping at two Wisconsin locations during a U.S. tour. The visit is sponsored by The Saint Pio Foundation.
They will be at the Cathedral St. Joseph the Workman in the Diocese of La Crosse on Sept. 20 and at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Sept. 21.
Masses are offered at both cathedrals. Check their websites for details.
Why to go: The Saint Pio Foundation, is sponsoring the tour on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Padre Pio’s birth, and the 15th anniversary of his canonization.
St. Pio was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, Italy, and baptized Francesco Forgione. From age 10, he talked of becoming a priest. To help pay for his education, his father, Grazio Forgione, emigrated to the United States in 1899, where he worked for several years.
The future saint entered the Capuchin order at age 15, taking the name Pio. He was ordained a priest in 1910 at the age of 23. During his lifetime, Padre Pio was known as a mystic with miraculous powers of healing and knowledge, who bore the stigmata.
Stigmata is the term the Catholic Church uses to speak about the wounds an individual receives that correspond to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ.  They can appear on the forehead, hands, wrists, and feet.
Pope John Paul II canonized him in 2002.
Hours:  Veneration and services will vary at each cathedral. Check the local website for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Visting a saint’s relics can be a solemn occasion. Remind the kids before you go.
Info: General: www.saintpiofoundation.org.
Diocese of LaCrosse: Address — The Cathedral St Joseph the Workman, 530 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601 n   Phone — 608/782-0322 n   Website — www.cathedralsjworkman.org/
Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Address — Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 n   Phone — 414/276-9814 n   Website — www.stjohncathedral.org/

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Anthony’s Chapel - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

(Photo provided)

Destination: If you’re planning a trip to or near Pittsburgh, work in a stop at St. Anthony’s Chapel in the Troy Hill neighborhood. The chapel, which houses the largest collection of relics open for public viewing, is cared for by members of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
Masses are offered in the chapel Monday-Friday at  8:30 a.m. On Tuesdays, Mass is followed by the St. Anthony Novena.
Why to go:  “A little bit of heaven” is how Carole Brueckner, a guide at Pittsburgh’s St. Anthony’s Chapel, describes this home to more than 5,000 relics, each authenticated by the Catholic Church. The original chapel and an extension were built and the reliquaries purchased with private funds of Father Suitbert Godfrey Mollinger, a Belgian priest. He came to Pittsburgh in 1865, after being in America for several years, and established several mission parishes. He became the first pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus on July 4, 1868.
When political unrest threatened holy relics in Europe, Father Mollinger began his mission of saving as many as he could and of building a home where they could be viewed and venerated.
The oldest relics are housed in the original chapel, but newer additions to the collection are in the extension, which was dedicated on the Feast of St. Anthony, June 13, 1883.
The extension also houses life-size stations of the cross, carved in wood by Mayer and Company of Munich, Germany. Father Mollinger dedicated the extension on June 13, 1892.
He spent $300,000 of his own money to establish the chapel and its collection of relics.
Access: Parking is available near the chapel, and there is wheelchair access. Once inside, everything is on one level.
Amenities: Chapel and gift shop (across the street) hours are Saturday-Thursday, 1-4 p.m. Tours are offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m., but groups of 10 or more can arrange for other times by calling ahead.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The chapel is small, but the stations and other statues are vivid enough to hold children’s attention.
Info: Address: St. Anthony’s Chapel, 1704 Harpster St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Phone: 412/231-2994. Web: www.saintanthonyschapel.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org