Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine will host its annual fundraising event with improvements in mind
By Patricia Nugent
When a statue, chapel and surrounding facilities and grounds near age 100, it goes without saying they could use some updating.
And so it goes for Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine in Euclid.
In 1926, a replica of a shrine in France that depicts Mary’s appearance to Bernadette was erected from Italian marble within a lush grotto. Beneath this beautiful statue of Mary, water flows over a piece of stone brought back from the original shrine.
Nearly a century later, tens of thousands of people from all over the world still come here to pay homage, including school groups and bus tours as well as individuals and prayer groups.
This scenic spiritual destination includes the shrine and grotto, as well as a chapel, convent, Rosary Hill, Stations of the Cross, the St. Ann Dining Hall, a prayer labyrinth and gift shop.
According to Sister Phyllis Ann, who is head administrator, last year this haven of peace, prayer and tranquility raised more than $100,000 during the #weGIVECATHOLIC day in November.
“With those funds, this summer we were able to reconstruct the decaying steps and wrought iron railings and gates leading to the candle house where people pray and make petitions,” she says. “We also installed much-needed pipes for the grotto.”
This year’s #weGIVECATHOLIC day is Tuesday, December 3, and Sister reports they already have several projects earmarked for renovation.
“During the pandemic, the disinfectants we had to use in the chapel every day damaged the wood pews, kneelers and furniture in the sanctuary, so we hope to refurbish those,” she says. “I hope people appreciate that when they give to the shrine, they are giving to all the people who come here. Their charitable dollars are staying local, yet impact lives all over the world.”
Holy Goods
If you’d like to take a bit of the Shrine home with you, or find religious gifts, the gift shop offers an impressive selection of holy cards and books, rosaries, Bibles, religious jewelry, medals, candles, artwork, statues, clothing, home décor and crafts handmade by the Sisters.
Those looking for a special gift for occasions like baptism, first communion, confirmation, weddings and more will find aisles and aisles of beautiful items here. Water that flows over the stone relic in the grotto from the original Shrine in Lourdes, France, is also available for purchase by the bottle.
Fall Schedule
There’s still plenty of time to make the most of Our Lady of Lourdes’ outdoor season, which runs through the end of October. Don’t miss these upcoming events.
Sundays – Outdoor mass is celebrated every Sunday through October 27 at 9:30 a.m. followed by breakfast and lunch at St. Ann Dining Room, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., the rosary is said, followed by benediction and community prayer.
Thursday, September 19 — Pasta Dinner
Sunday, October 6 — Fall Fest, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a day-long event featuring masses at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m., breakfast served 10:30-11:30 a.m., lunch served noon to 2:30 p.m., an outdoor sausage and pizza stand, games, crafts, a bake sale, stations of the cross at 3 p.m., rosary at 4 p.m., and benediction.
The Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is located at 21281 Chardon Road in Euclid. The shrine and grounds are owned and operated solely by the sisters, 100% aided by private donations, which can be made online. All the funds donated go directly to the 501(c)(3)charity. Call 216-481-0900 or visit SRSTrinity.com for more information. You can select the shrine for your donation on #weGIVECATHOLIC Day Tuesday, December 3, atWeGiveCatholic.com.