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Shrine Chronology
- December 8, 2007: Archbishop
Raymond L. Burke presides over the dedication/blessing of the Rosary Walk,
the latest completed devotional site at the Shrine. In wintry weather
registering zero degrees, nearly 200 pilgrims - men, women and young
children - join in a procession from the Pilgrim Center which leads
along the meditation trail to the site of the Rosary Walk. Designed by
shrine architect Michael Swinghamer of River Architects, Inc., the stone
structures provides a beautiful framework for the blue tiles which depict
the twenty mysteries of the Rosary. Artist Anthony Visco, of
Philadelphia, was present to share in the joy of his beautiful artwork.
- October 29, 2007: Excavation
begins on the Memorial to the Unborn - a beautiful expression of the
Church's teaching on the inviolable dignity of innocent life. The
Memorial will be mostly completed by Summer, 2008.
- September 24, 2007: Archbishop
Raymond L. Burke, founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and
chairman of the Shrine Board of Directors, blesses the 25 bells for the
carillon system for the Bell Tower of the Shrine Church. In attendance
were almost 200 Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre [Northern
Lieutenancy] who accompanied
Archbishop Burke to the Shrine on pilgrimage from the Twin Cities in
Minnesota.
- September 21, 2007:
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke blesses the
devotional area to St. Joseph the Workman. This beautiful sculpture in
bronze, weighing over 1,000 lbs, is the work of Father Anthony Brankin of
the Archdiocese of Chicago. Father Brankin is noted for his many
artistic works celebrating the sacred. Special guests at the ceremony
included Bishop Jerome Listecki, Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, and
Mrs. Lucille Swing, donor of the land upon which the Shrine is being
constructed.
- May 14, 2007: Excavation
begins on the construction of a Friars residence which will adjoin the Shrine
Church. The Residence is anticipated to be completed in 2008.
- May 7, 2007:
Construction begins on a formal gated entrance to the Shrine complex.
- August 4, 2006: Archbishop
Raymond L. Burke, Founder of the Shrine and Chairman of the Shrine Board of
Directors, publicly announces that the Shrine Church, currently under
construction, will be dedicated on July 31, 2008.
- December 9-12, 2005: Archbishop
Raymond L. Burke inducts over 130 children into the inaugural of the Saint Juan
Diego Guild for Children at a Mass celebrated at the Shrine. The Guild
is intended to assist children in imitating the positive attributes of Saint
Juan Diego. On December 12, 2005, Father Joseph Hirsch inducts over
50 children into the Guild at a Spanish Mass celebrated at the Shrine. Total
Guild enrollment during this inaugural period is close to 300 children -
the youngest is two weeks old.
- June 14, 2005: The Saint
Benedict medal is buried in the crypt level of the Shrine Church in the area
under the proposed main altar. Father Paul Czerwonka and Father
William Blazewicz, priests of the Diocese of La Crosse, officiate at the
brief ceremony.
- May 19, 2005:
Archbishop Burke blesses and places the corner stone for the Shrine Church.
Pilgrims submit petitions to be buried behind the corner stone.
- February 25, 2005:
The Shrine purchases 30 acres of land adjacent to Tepeyac Road.
- December 9, 2004:
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke dedicates the outdoor Stations of the Cross;
Artist Anthony Visco from Philadelphia is present.
- May 13, 2004: Archbishop
Raymond L. Burke returns to the Shrine to preside over the ground breaking for
the Shrine Church.
- January 26, 2004: Bishop
Raymond L. Burke is installed as the Archbishop of St. Louis in St. Louis
Cathedral, St. Louis, MO.
- December 12, 2003:
Bishop Raymond L. Burke dedicates five original oil paintings located in the
Pilgrim Center which depict the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint
Juan Diego; a new Orientation video is presented.
- September 22, 2003: Sister
Christa Marie, FSGM joins Shrine staff as Executive Director.
Sister is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George -
provincial house is located in Alton, Illinois.
- April 5, 2003: Bishop
Raymond L. Burke blesses the Shrine chapel located in the Pilgrim Center,
dedicates the chapel’s altar and reserves the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel’s
tabernacle.
- December 12, 2002: First
phase of the Shrine project is finished. The Pilgrim Center and Mother of Good
Counsel Votive Candle Chapel are completed and dedicated by Bishop Burke.
- June 17, 2001: Bishop
Raymond L. Burke presides over the official ground breaking for the shrine
complex located on 70 acres of woodland donated by the Robert Swing Family of La
Crosse.
- July 1999: Bishop
Raymond L. Burke announces plans for the construction and establishment of the
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be located in La Crosse.
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