A beloved local attraction, Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine is a scenic spiritual destination where visitors can find peace
May 7, 2024
By Patricia Nugent
Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine is an unexpected haven of peace and tranquility.
According to Sister Phyllis Ann, who is head administrator, the origins go back to 1858 when Mary appeared to Bernadette in Lourdes, France, asking her to pray for sinners and build a place where people can come to pray. A shrine was built there to commemorate the visitation.
In 1926, a replica of that shrine, carved from imported Italian marble, was erected within a surrounding grotto set back on a wooded site in Euclid. Beneath a stunning statue of Mary, water flows over a piece of stone brought back from the original shrine.
Today, people from all over the world come here to pay homage to the Euclid Shrine, including school groups and bus tours as well as individuals and prayer groups.
She explains they are considered a national shrine and satellite of the original, giving people in this country a more accessible holy place to visit.
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.
The Need Continues
During the WE Give Catholic day of fundraising last November, Sr. Phyllis Ann reports they raised $100,000, which will allow them to reconstruct the decaying steps leading up to the two candle houses where people pray and make petitions.
“So now we can give, because you gave,” she says. “But the need continues.”
James Hickey, a pastoral associate at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor, is a devotee of the Shrine. He leads a weekly men’s group that prays for the sisters.
“To me, its beauty and presence draws you into it,” he says. “Just sitting there is transformational, and so are the Stations of the Cross going up the hill. People experience Jesus through his mother.”
Well-Stocked Gift Shop
To take a bit of the Shrine home with you, or find religious gifts, don’t miss the gift shop at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine. You’ll find an enormous 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.
Sister reports some of their top selling items include garden statues, a big improvement on the gnomes or trolls you may currently have.
Summer Schedule
Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine opens its outdoor season May through October. Don’t miss these events in May. Visit SRSTrinity.com for a complete listing.
Outdoor mass is celebrated every Sunday 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., they say the rosary, benediction and community prayer.
Thursdays, May 16 and June 20 — Pasta Dinners
Sundays, May 26 and June 2 — Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, June 7 — World Rosary Day for priests at noon
Friday, June 21 — A night of love to celebrate the pilgrim virgin statue, from 4-9 p.m.
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.
By Sister Phyllis Ann, Major Superior of the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity What miracle are you praying for? You see, I live at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid, Ohio, and most of the pilgrims who come here come seeking a miracle. I am the administrator of our Shrine and have lived here for more than 25 years. I have seen some beautiful blessings given to those who come to genuinely pray. Many graces have been received. Has it always been what pilgrims are praying for? No, but the answer to their prayers has always meant an outcome better than what they expected. As for me, yes, I pray for miracles! My prayer recently is to be able to complete all the improvements we have in mind for the 100th Jubilee that we will celebrate in 2026. Have my prayers been answered? Well, if God doesn’t want a particular improvement to begin, it just doesn’t get off the ground, but if God wants something done then all the obstacles go away, and funding is discovered in the order that God wants them. I have learned to say not my plan, but His. So, all of you who have helped us in many ways are part of God’s miracle. Imagine, in God’s plan we don’t even know how many miracles in which we participate. Thank you for being a part of our miracle! Just quietly peek in your life. Look for all the miracles that you may not see.
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. Cal l 216-481-0900 or visit SRSTrinity.com for more information. You can select the shrine for your donation on #weGIVECATHOLIC Day Tuesday, December 3, at WeGiveCatholic.com .
By Patricia Nugent The recent passing of Sister Mary Donald, a beloved fixture at Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine in Euclid, has left a wake of sadness and loss. “Her creativity and boundless energy made a difference in many lives in the community,” says Sister Phyllis Ann, who is head administrator of the shrine. “A Sister for the past 58 years, she shared her gifts as a teacher and principal in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and in Cleveland at St. Rocco and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Schools.” Sister Donald was also an administrator and dynamo fundraiser for her order. The Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity is its own 501(c)3 charity and does not receive funding from the Catholic Church. Though her spirit will be missed, Sister Mary Donald’s work will carry on. “In our community, when a member passes, the rest of the members continue her legacy of good work,” Sister Phyllis Ann says. “Our Shrine is approaching 100 years old and needs significant maintenance work to remain safe for the people who visit.” Sister Mary Donald was the driving force behind the annual #WeGive Catholic campaign. Last year the Sisters won an award for fundraising. Throughout the year, the hardworking group plans events to welcome the public, including the upcoming French Toast Breakfast and Cookie Sale on Sunday, December 3. “We invite people to come for breakfast, mass, and maybe some early Christmas shopping at our gift shop,” says Sister Phyllis Ann. The Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is located at 21281 Chardon Road in Euclid. Anyone wishing to support the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and the Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity through this year’s #WeGive Catholic campaign can do so from Sunday, November 19 through Tuesday, November 28. Visit http://www.WeGiveCatholic.org/organizations/our-lady-of-lourdes-shrine to make a donation. Call 216-481-0900 or visit SRSTrinity.com for more information.
By Patricia Nugent A secluded haven set back on 26 acres in Euclid, Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine has an origin story that goes back to 1858, when Mary appeared to Bernadette in Lourdes, France. She asked her to pray for sinners and build a place where people can come to pray. A shrine was built there to commemorate the visitation. The National Shrine in Euclid is similar to it, and today people from all over the world come here to pay homage. The Catholic nuns who are guardians of the shrine, Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity, have an equally interesting story. I caught up with the Head Administrator Sister Phyllis Ann to find out more. Q: Do you take vows of silence? A: Oh gosh no, in fact most of us talk and talk. I’d never make it without talking. There are some cloistered orders that involve a vow of silence, but not us. Q: Do you have to stay in the convent all the time? A: Goodness no. I’ve travelled extensively in my life. I’ve been to Europe, Mexico and Canada, and even met the Pope and former President George H.W. Bush through my work. We get time off to visit with our families. Our social lives include going to Guardians games, out to lunch, dinner and the movies. And here at the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, we’re bustling planning and hosting holy and community events, especially in the summer and fall. Q: Do you pray all day? A: While we begin and end our day in prayer, we’re actually very busy. Many of us have jobs within the diocese and Catholic schools, serving the community for the greater good. Our work is challenging but rewarding and fun. We laugh all the time. Q: Do you wear a habit? A: Every order is unique. Ours does require a habit, which is stipulated by our foundress, the woman who started this order. The habits we wear are red, white and blue. White symbolizes purity of the Father, blue stands for the humility of the Son, and red is for the fire of the Holy Spirit. We also wear a tunic and a veil. Q: Do you get vacations? A: Yes, we get three weeks of vacation per year. Q: How long does it take to become a nun? A: There are nine years of study and field experience before we take our final vows. We are well educated. I think people would be surprised to know about 95 percent of us have master’s degrees. Ministry is a viable career choice. We’re doing what God has asked of us. Q: Would you recommend the sisterhood as a career calling? A: Yes. In fact, I would rate it a 10-plus. We see our lives as vibrant and dynamic guardians of those around us. It seems like the younger generation today is mature, sensitive and looking inward to find their real self. If someone is faithful, and seeking to serve God and others, and be in harmony with themselves, the sisterhood is a perfect fit. If anyone would like to see what a calling could look like for them, I’m always happy to give a tour and meet with them. The Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is located at 21281 Chardon Road in Euclid. The Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity is a 501(c)3 charity and all funds donated go directly to the charity. Call 216-481-0900 or visit SRSTrinity.com for more information.
From “Nunsense” to “Sister Act,” “Sound of Music,” and “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up,” if you believe the portrayals of nuns in shows and movies, fearsome flowing robes and well-rubbed rosary beads, brandished crucifixes and stiff habits may come to mind. The reality is far different. Here are the stories of three delightful Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity from Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine in Euclid. Before interviewing these dear ladies, I spent the afternoon with Sister Phyllis Ann, who is head administrator at the Shrine. We laughed a lot. She tells the best stories. We may have even belted out a few lines wondering how to solve “A Problem like Maria.” Growing up in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish on Cleveland’s near west side, she enjoyed doing service for the nuns in her school and decided to follow her own vocation at age 19. Meet Sister Mary, Sister Josephine, Sister Marie Paule As the receptionist for the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe, Sister Mary works three days a week scheduling, organizing events and manning the phone. She entered the sisterhood after earning a degree in elementary education. “As soon as I stepped foot on the beautiful and peaceful grounds, I knew this was home,” she says. “I enjoy being part of an active community that offers charity and service to others and pray that other young women will seek the joy and solitude I’ve found here.” Sister. Josephine is juggling a full plate, too. She oversees religious education and the PSR program at Immaculate Conception in Willoughby, helping students and their families learn about religion and prepare for the sacraments. She’s also taking graduate classes at the seminary. A native of Madagascar, Sr. Josephine attended Catholic schools growing up, having to leave her parents and their village at age 7. After high school, she was accepted into law school and was considering it when she received a letter from the sisters at the convent asking her to return. She decided to become a sister and hasn’t looked back once. “When I came to this country, I was able to get my undergrad from Ursuline and master’s degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace,” she says. Sister Marie Paule teaches religion full time to middle schoolers at Mater Dei Academy in Wickliffe. Also from Madagascar, she started her vocation there, then made her final vows in this country in 1997. “I love serving people of all ages, whether in the classroom or at the Shrine,” she says. “It’s said that it’s better to give than to receive. For me, this is what true happiness means.” Hearing the Call Sister Phyllis Ann feels that people today may be too distracted to hear the calling of a religious vocation. “I wonder if when people talk to God, are they really listening for an answer?” she asks. “I think each of us in the world is seeking how to answer the question, ‘What does God want from me?’” To become a Catholic nun, the first three years of training, a woman lives in the community being immersed in theology and history. After the third year they become a novice and work in the community while continuing religious training. You don’t take your final vows until the ninth year in the community. “If someone feels they want to take a journey with God and to God, we hope she’ll give us a call, make a visit, and find out why this is such a special path to take,” she adds. She points out that Pope Francis has opened the door for more equality for women in the church. “He said both women and men are needed in the church to fulfill our roles, which are equally important,” she says. 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.
