A Home for Our Lady…
Our Lady of the Rosary Shrine (Le Sanctuaire de Rosaire) is a home for Our Lady in the Diocese of St. Catharines. This oasis of peace is a humble place of pilgrimage, to which the faithful come for prayer and personal reflection.
The Shrine has a French–Canadian heritage, having originated through the prayers and love of the parishioners of l’Eglise Sacre-Coeur in Welland. The original owner of the fourteen-acre property, Mr. Ismael Charest, extended an invitation to all to come pray the Rosary. Thus, the Rosary Fraternity (La Fraternite du Rosaire) was founded, meeting weekly at the Shrine to recite the Rosary and other prayers. A statue of Our Lady at the east end of the property served as the place of their cenacle, encircled by a rosary of circular patio stones.
A few years later, Mr. Charest and his brother, Henri Martel, built a large wooden grotto. Mr. Charest employed his skills as a blacksmith to fashion a large iron rosary measuring twenty-one feet and weighing sixty-seven pounds! The grotto housed a five-foot statue of Our Lady overshadowed by the large iron rosary, allowing the faithful to meditate at her feet as they enjoy the country air.
An outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Roger Rouleau marked the official opening of the Shrine on July 18, 1982. Father Charles Gagne served the Shrine as spiritual director for its first many years of operation. Wishing to continue the work of Mr. Charest after his death in October 1982, the property was purchased from the Charest family by means of contributions from the Francophone and local community. Louis and Carmelle Dube, Albert and Pauline Coutu, and Denise Vachon—with the help of many volunteers and donors—had the Shrine incorporated in 1984.
The large two-car garage that stood on the property was converted into a chapel that holds approximately seventy-five people. Over the years, a new roof and other improvements were added, including the wooden pews donated by St. Peter and Paul Church in Welland.
A portable classroom was purchased and installed on the property to serve as the St. Joseph Room, where the faithful gather for meetings, and enjoy coffee and refreshments as they fraternize after Mass. The room also accommodates catechesis sessions, faith-formation programs, Rosary Circles, and classes of school children. Groups including the Catholic Women’s League, the Legion of Mary, and Secular Franciscans have reserved the Shrine’s facilities for picnics and days of prayer and recollection. The St. Joseph’s room was placed adjacent to the existing Gift Shop, which offers affordable spiritual books and lightly-used religious articles, donated by the faithful. The screened-in enclosure which surrounds it is our St. Ann’s Room.
The Shrine’s rural setting invites visitors to take walks and explore the grounds. A pathway leads to our “Jacob’s Well”, where prayers for healings and other blessings are offered to the Father of Mercies. Behind the Well stands a giant outdoor crucifix that boasts the instruments of the Passion. These sites invite the faithful to look inward and upward, contemplating the true meaning of our lives and mission here on earth.
To celebrate the Shrine’s 25th anniversary in 2009, large outdoor Stations of the Cross were installed around the property, created by artist Aldo Parrota. Many people participated in the week-long anniversary events, happy to meet the Shrine’s special guest, Mme. Colette Coulombe, author of The Cry of Mary.
In 2010, owing to the declining health of the original founders and directors, the baton of leadership was passed to new servants of Our Lady. Cathy Kruger assumed leadership of the Shrine with the help of her husband Bert, who assisted the Property Manager, Claude Marceau. At this time, Shelley Tamas came on board as Secretary/Treasurer. When Cathy and Claude resigned their positions after a term of generous service, Shelley Tamas was elected Chairperson and her husband, John, accepted the responsibilities of Property Manager. Lakeshore Catholic High School, the Holy Name Society, and the Knights of Columbus have also assisted in the Shrine’s upkeep.
In 2019, after the original white Cross marking the Shrine’s entrance was felled in a storm, Mike Mackenzie erected the present cross, which was blessed on the 35th Anniversary of the Shrine. The current crucifix in the Chapel was the gift of an artist, Marino, and the statue of Our Lady of the Cape donated by the Misckolzi family from the estate of Betty and Nancy Papp. The side chairs in the Chapel – purchased from the Presbyterian Church closure auction – were also graciously bestowed upon the Shrine. Through the generosity and talent of artist Ted Harasti, the large statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Blessed Mother were refurbished, and the donation of grotto benches enabled pilgrims to pause there in prayer, admiring Our Lady’s beauty. From 2021-2024, several capital improvements were completed including new lighting, ceiling tiles, flooring, a bell tower constructed more through the generosity of Fr. Nicolas Deak and his wife, and improved landscaping.
The Shrine remains in operation through the donations of visitors and the work of its volunteers, “The Friends of the Shrine”. The Friends of the Shrine are especially grateful to Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine in Ajax, who unofficially twinned with the Shrine by generously offering financial assistance to the mission.
On Thursday evenings from May to October, the faithful gather in the chapel at 7:00pm to pray the Rosary. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass follows at 7:30 p.m., offered by a priest of the diocese, including our beloved bishop, Bishop Gerard Bergie. Since Fr. Gagne’s passing, Fr. Paul McDonald has served as the Shrine’s spiritual director and chaplain. We are blessed by his celebration of the sacraments, example of devotion, and monthly teachings, which always prove enlightening. The chapel is open 24/7, all year round, for all wish to visit Our Lady and lift their hearts to her in prayer.
The current Board of Directors includes: Life Member, Carmelle Dube; Chairperson/Treasurer, Shelley Tamas; Property Manager, John Tamas; Holy Name Society Liaison, Mike MacKenzie; Priscille Longpre, and Stephanie Markovich. The Friends of the Shrine also include Claude and Carole Marceau, Celine de Grosbois, Janet Nohara, and Adelaine Nohara, who began serving as Director of Spirituality in 2023.
As we approach the Shrine’s 40th Anniversary in July, 2024, the Friends of the Shrine are imploring Our Lady to raise up a new generation of Catholic men, women and families to carry forward the legacy of true devotion to Mary at Our Lady of the Rosary Shrine. They welcome any volunteers who feel called to participate in their mission of making Jesus Christ better known and loved, by hastening the triumph of Mary’s Immaculate Heart.
