OUR LADY OF THE
ROSARY SHRINE
The Shrine is open all year for personal prayers and meditations. The Rosarian priests are available at the shrine for confession and spiritual direction. On Shrine Days Holy Mass is celebrated in the centre of the Rosary Trail, on the site of the first church which was built in 1855. Each year Shrine Days are celebrated July 2, 13, 16, August 13-22, and September 12, 13, 14 and 15.
In 1995, three ladies of the parish were given permission by the parish priest to start a Rosary Trail in the wooded area behind the church and cemetery. Thanks to many donations, dedication of hours of work and prayer of numerous volunteers, what began as “Our Lady’s Garden” has now become the home to Our Lady of the Rosary London Diocesan Shrine.
The original Diocesan Shrine was located in St. Mary’s, Ontario, since it’s construction in 1954 and official dedication by Bishop Cody in 1963. At the close of the 1998 celebrations, Bishop Sherlock then moved the site to St. Patrick’s Church in Merlin.
GARDENS UP FOR ADOPTION:
Our Lady of the Rosary Shrine requires many dedicated volunteers to perform a variety of roles. Shrine Volunteers are passionate people who freely provide their time and energy to support the great work, beauty and growth of our Shrine.
If you are interested in assisting pilgrims from all over the region or in helping from behind the scenes, and nourishing one’s own spiritual life, maybe adopting a shrine garden, please consider becoming a volunteer. Contact
SHRINE DAYS
✣ PILGRIMAGE
There are four beautiful trails to experience: “The Rosary Trail”, “The Saints Trail” (featuring over 90 statues), “The Approved Apparitions Trail” and “The Stations of the Cross Trail”. Lighting is installed throughout the Shrine grounds. There is a picnic area and washrooms available. We invite you to bring your own picnic lunch and lawn chair. “The Sanctuary” will be open during Shrine Days for all your religious needs.
If you are planning a group visit, please contact the Office at 519-689-7760. We welcome schools and any groups for retreat days. Contact us for more information and dates available. *Note: If you have a group attending, advanced notice for an outdoor mass is required to ensure proper planning.
See EVENTS CALENDAR to view ALL events happening at the Church & Shrine.
NO PETS ALLOWED: Service Animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome.
Shrine Song Books (printed courtesy of Melady Funeral Home) are for our Pilgrims to enjoy. Limited number (on days of large attendance then please share) During August Shrine Days there will be additional onsite washroom facilities to accommodate larger crowds.
Our official Facebook account is Our Lady of the Rosary Diocesan Shrine. Please follow us at facebook.com/olrshrine for the latest info and pictures depicting shrine events.
THE SANCTUARY: Gifts & Books of Faith Store
(originally The Gift Cabin) located near Shrine entrance.
“For all your faith based needs”
Opened only on Shrine Days 10:00am – 3:00pm
(or visit The Sanctuary online from their store in Kingsville )
AUGUST 15 SHRINE DAY 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
CELEBRANT: Most Rev. Bishop Daniel Miehm CCCB
*Lunch will be available for purchase by the Knights of Columbus*
CASH PAYMENT ONLY
SHRINE SCHEDULE
- Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available outdoors.
- Store will be open for sale of religious items. No food or drinks.
- Volunteers will assist with seating.
- Washrooms are available in the church basement for men and women, and in the rectory basement for women. A portable accessible washroom will also be available.
- Holy Mass
- The Angelus
- Lunch Break (free time to view trails) Picnic Tables available.
- Rosary Procession (along the Rosary Trail)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Reflection
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Benediction
- Litany to Our Lady of Fatima.
- Holy Water will be available daily after Mass.** Please bring your own containers**
|DATE
|EVENT
|CELEBRANT
June 20
The Jesus Youth Day – Diocese of London
Rosarians
July 02
Shrine Day 11 am . Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord
Rosarians
July 03
The Altar Servers Shrine Day – Diocese of London; 11:00 am
Rosarians
July 13
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Temple of the Lord
Rev. Danny Santos
July 16
(OM: Our Lady of Mount Carmel – distribution of scapulars)
Rev. Tom Ferrera
July 19
Death-Mute Day – Diocese of London (afternoon)
July 22
Diocese CWL Shrine Day
Fr. Paul Kim
Aug 03
Pilipino Community Day – Kitchener, Ontario
Rosarians
Aug 08
Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes Day
Fr. Danny
Aug 13
Shrine Day 11 am . Blessed Mary, Image & Mother of the Church
Rev. Vince Gulikers
Aug 14
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of Grace
Rev. Mike Dwyer
Aug 14
Shrine Day 8 pm . Vigil for “The Assumption of the B. V. Mary”
Rev. Mike Dwyer
Aug 15
Shrine Day 11 am . Solemnity “Assumption of the B. V. Mary”
*Lunch available for purchase by the Knights of Columbus* Cash only
Bishop Daniel Miehm
Aug 16
Shrine Day 11 am . Sunday Readings
Rev. Neyomal Silva
Aug 17
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom
Rev. John Comiskey
Aug 18
Shrine Day 11 am . Holy Mary, the New Eve
Rev. Neyomal Silva
Aug 19
Shrine Day 11 am . Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy
Rev. Chris Pietrszko
Aug 20
Shrine Day 11 am . Blessed Virgin Mary, Resurrection of the Lord
Rev. Greg Bonin
Aug 21
Shrine Day 11 am . Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick – Anointing of the Sick
Rev. Paul Kim
Aug 21
Shrine Day 8 pm . Vigil Mass for “The Queenship of Mary”
Rosarians
Aug 22
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of Queenship of Blessed Virgin Mary
Rev. Rob Rocheleau
Sept 05
Tamil Community Day
Rosarians
Sept 12
Shrine Day 11 am . The Most Holy Name of Mary
Rev. Rob Renaud (Vocation)
Sept 13
Shrine Day 11 am . 24th OT Sunday Readings
Rosarians / Homilist: Dcn. Raymond
Sept 14
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Rev. Doss Velanganni Cap
Sept 15
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Rev. Leo Pragasam Cap
Sept 20
St. Thomas Aquin Community Day – Sarnia
Sept 26
Francophone Day – Diocese of London
Rev. Patrick Beneteau
LATEST SHRINE NEWS
Bishop Miehm for Aug 15 Shrine Day
Our Lady of the Rosary Shrine is pleased to announce that Most Rev. Bishop Miehm, CCCB, will honour us as our celebrant for the August 15, 2026 Shrine Day (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Please join us in welcoming our new Bishop of the London Diocese to our beautiful Shrine. Mass starts at 11:00 a.m. Come experience God’s love through the maternal intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Daniel Miehm as the new Bishop of London. Bishop Daniel Miehm PDF
Have you checked out the section WAYS TO GET INVOLVED? (located on the Home Page) There will be more topics coming as “things open up”. In the meatime check out the one called PRAYER. There are weekly prayers and monthly devotions.