Sorrowful Mother Shrine update Dec. 2025
The Sorrowful Mother Shrine is winding down from an event-filled year and making plans for 2026. Our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was recently held to honor all the volunteers that give so generously of their time and talent to make the Sorrowful Mother Shrine a beautiful, inspiring, and prayerful setting for the countless number of pilgrims who visit each year. Without the hundreds of volunteers who contribute in various ways, the clergy and staff would not be able to uphold the mission and spirit of the Sorrowful Mother Shrine.
Plans for 2026 include a number of retreats for our faithful pilgrims.
2026 retreat schedule, led by Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, C.PP.S.:
Saturday, Jan. 3, “Healing Through the Eucharist,” focusing on the healing power of the Eucharist in our lives.
Saturday, Feb. 21, “A Season of Holy Transformation,” a Lenten retreat to help launch God’s children into the holy season of Transformation.
Saturday, March 28, “Holy Week in His Heart,” preparing the faithful to enter a prayerful Holy Week.
Saturday, May 9, “Mary’s Month, Mary’s Heart,” dedicated to cherishing the life of Mary and our relationship with us as our Mother.
Saturday, June 27, “The Sacred Heart of Jesus,” designed to focus on Jesus’ sacred heart.
Saturday, July 25, “The Precious Blood of Jesus,” focusing on Jesus’ sacrifice and redemption.
Saturday, Oct. 17, “How God Sees You,” exploring the ways Jesus sees us through his eyes.
Saturday, Nov. 28, “Making Room for Jesus,” launching the faithful participants into the grace of the Advent season.
In addition to the one-day retreats that will be offered at the shrine, three Eucharistic Healing Services are scheduled throughout the year. These two-hour services, led by Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, will have prayers for both spiritual and physical healing. The services are scheduled for Friday, April 19, Friday, Sept. 11, and Friday, Dec. 11, 2026. Please call the shrine office at 419-483-3435, option 4 to register for the retreats and the healing services.
Ethnic Day Celebration Changes – Rather than the clergy or staff members assigning dates for ethnic events, each group will now select the dates and times that works best for them. This new approach gives everyone more flexibility and ensures our schedules truly fit the needs of those involved. We look forward to hearing from the Chaldeans from Detroit, Michigan; the Slovenians from the Cleveland, Ohio area; Hispanics from the Bellevue and Norwalk, Ohio area; and Italians from southeastern Michigan, in addition to other ethnic groups as they set their plans to honor their heritage with us.
Thanks to generous contributions from shrine donors, new all-weather benches will be placed throughout the grounds in 2026. Also, installation of a new handicap-accessible entrance door to the Pilgrim Center’s restroom facilities is scheduled to take place before year end.
As always, we extend a warm invitation to individuals or groups who wish to visit the Sorrowful Mother Shrine. We feel confident your time spent here will be restful and well spent.