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.
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. There is also a religious store on site (check hours of operation), however food and drink are not available.
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.
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 SCHEDULE
- Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available outdoors.
- Store will be open for sale of religious items.
- 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 and Litany to Our Lady of Fatima.
- Lunch Break (free time to view trails)
- Rosary Procession (along the Rosary Trail)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Reflection
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Benediction
- Holy Water will be provided and available daily after Mass.
- The store will remain open as necessary.
EVENTS CALENDAR 2022
|DATE
|EVENT
|CELEBRANT
July 02
Shrine Day 11am Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord
Fr. Mukucha
July 13
Shrine Day 11 am . Holy Mary, The New Eve
Fr. Rob Renaud
July 16
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Cause of Our Joy
Fr. Danny Santos
July 27
CWL Day at the Shrine . 9:30 am – 2:00 pm .
Aug 13
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church
Fr. Terry Runsteadler
Aug 14
Shrine Day 11 am . Sunday Liturgy – Readings of the Day
Fr. Mike Dwyer
Aug 14
Shrine Day 8 pm . Vigil of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr. Mike Dwyer
Aug 15
Shrine Day 11 am . Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
Bishop Ronald Peter Fabbro CBS
Aug 16
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Gate of Heaven
Fr. Seejo John
Aug 17
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Temple of the Lord
Fr. Greg Bonin
Aug 18
Shrine Day 11 am . Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy
Fr. Patrick Bénéteau
Aug 19
Shrine Day 11 am . The Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom
Fr. Darius
Aug 20
Shrine Day 11 am . Anointing the Sick; Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick
Fr. Romeo
Aug 21
Shrine Day 11 am . Sunday Liturgy – Readings of the Day
Rosarians
Aug 21
Shrine Day 8 pm . Vigil of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rosarians
Aug 22
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Fr. John Comiskey
Sept 12
Shrine Day 11 am . French – English Mass
Sept 13
Shrine Day 11 am . Reading of the Day (St. John Chrisostom)
Sept 14
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of the Holy Cross
Sept 15
Shrine Day 11 am . Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
LATEST SHRINE NEWS
Pope Francis in Canada: Walking Together
Pope Francis Apostolic Journey begins on Sunday and it is being described by the Vatican as a “penitential pilgrimage.” A reminder the full program and the latest updates are at www.papalvisit.ca or www.visitepapale.ca. Please keep the Pope and all those who are working hard to make these events possible in your prayers. We also pray that this will be a fruitful visit that achieves much to advance the journey of healing and reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of this land. Additional news will be available at https://www.vaticannews.va.
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.