History

The shrine was an inspiration of Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke, who wanted to establish a place of lasting worship in the Diocese of La Crosse. On September 28, 1999 a letter was sent for consideration to the Vatican, and on November 11, 1999 the Holy See gave the project its approval and blessing. 70 acres of woodland near the south end of La Crosse were then donated by Robert and Loucille Swing. Groundbreaking began on June 17, 2001.

The first phase of construction included a Pilgrim Center, which features an orientation room, information desk, the Flores Mariae gift shop, and the Culina Mariana restaurant, and the Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel. This phase was completed and dedicated December 12, 2002.

The second phase included an outdoor stations of the cross, a devotional area to St. Joseph the Workman and a rosary walk, in addition to construction on the Shrine Church. Groundbreaking for the church was on May 13, 2004. The Stations of the Cross were dedicated December 9, 2004, followed by the devotional area to St. Joseph the Workman on September 21, 2007 and the rosary walk on December 8, 2007.

Excavation for the third phase, the Memorial to the Unborn, began on October 29, 2007.

On July 31, 2008 the Shrine Church was dedicated, with the dedication Mass presided over by Archbishop Burke, who was joined by Cardinals Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Francis George of Chicago. The ceremony included an honor guard made up of members of the local area Knights of Columbus and Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre. Also in attendance were over 100 priests, and members of the St. Juan Diego Guild and Marian Catechist Apostolate.

The Memorial to the Unborn was completed on December 12, 2008 and was also dedicated by Archbishop Burke.

The hopes of the Archbishop have been fulfilled already in the few short months since the Shrine church’s opening: pilgrims not only from the Midwest but as far away as California have come in large numbers to visit the Shrine and find spiritual renewal. Now the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, Archishop Burke remains the director of the Shrine.

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate

In 2007 Archbishop Burke approached the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate to request their direction of pastoral care at the Shrine. On July 13, 2008, three Friars (Fr. Peter M. Fehlner, Fr. Louis Maximilian M. Smith, Fra Joseph M Schmitzer) arrived in La Crosse to begin their residence at the Shrine. Fr. Peter is the Shrine’s first Rector.

The Friars provide spiritual assistance and pastoral care for the Shrine, consisting primarily in preaching, celebration of the Sacraments, and giving talks to groups of pilgrims upon request. The Friars also assist in the spiritual and doctrinal formation of members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, a catechetical association begun by the late Fr. John Hardon and now under the direction of Archbishop Raymond L. Burke.

Video Virtual Tour of the Shrine

Information and Services

Shrine Hours:
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Public Services:
Holy Mass:
Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
Pilgrimage Masses are scheduled as requested. Masses in Spanish are regularly scheduled as well.
Latin (Tridentine) Mass will also be offered on Sunday.

Confession in the Shrine Church:
Monday-Friday, 10:00-10:50 a.m. and after the 11:00 a.m. Mass;
Saturday, 10:00-10:50 a.m., after the 11:00 a.m. Mass, 3:00-3:45 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Confession is available at other times upon request at the Rectory.

Devotional services, such as Holy Hour and Eucharistic Benediction, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Holy Rosary, are regularly scheduled.

For more information regarding the shrine and its activities, visit its official website.