About the Shrine Home

Shrine Chronology

• December 12, 2008:  Dedication of the Memorial to the Unborn.  With temperatures frigid enough to be uncomfortable for most, almost 1,000 Faithful gathered for the dedication of the Memorial to the Unborn. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke returned from his current position in the Vatican as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura to dedicate this newest devotional area at the Shrine.  The Archbishop, Founder of the Shrine, expressed to those gathered his hope that Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, would instill in all the truth of the dignity of life at all of its stages.  The Memorial contains instructional plaques which explain the teaching of the Catholic Church on such topics as contraception, abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and the dignity of life for all.  The Memorial also contains several flower beds known as Mary's Garden - containing flowers named after the Blessed Mother.
   
• July 31, 2008:    Dedication of the Shrine Church - the Heart of the Shrine.  On this date, the long awaited dedication of the Shrine Church was realized.  Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Founder of the Shrine, was the main celebrant at the Mass of Dedication.  Cardinals Justin Rigali (Philadelphia) and Francis George (Chicago) were also in attendance.  Over twenty (20) archbishops/bishops and over one hundred (100) priests joined the hundreds of faithful inside the new church.  Over sixty (60) Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre and over twenty-five (25) Knights of Columbus Honor Guard also were present to honor this newest devotional shrine. Members of the Saint Juan Diego Guild for Children, a Guild founded at the Shrine to encourage children in modeling their lives after the virtuous Juan Diego, processed as a group behind their newly designed banner. 
   
• July 30, 2008:  As part of Dedication Week activities, Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, dedicated the devotional area to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.  Located on the meditation trail, this is the second in a series of devotional areas planned for the trail which leads to the Shrine Church, the outside Stations of the Cross, and the Rosary Walk
   
• 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.