Mission & History Of The Shrine
Mission Statement
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, faithful to the message of the Blessed Virgin Mary through her appearances on the American continent in 1531, serves the spiritual needs of those who suffer poverty in body and soul. It is a place of ceaseless prayer for the corporal and spiritual welfare of God’s children, especially those in most need.
What is a Marian devotion?
Devotions help us to deepen our love of God and of one another, through our participation in the life of the Church, especially the Sacraments. Marian devotions, in particular, express our love for the ever-Virgin Mary and help us to deepen our participation in the mystery of the Redemptive Incarnation in which she cooperated so intimately by accepting God the Father’s will that she be the Mother of the Redeemer
The Americas and Our Lady of Guadalupe
On our American continent, Marian devotion is frequently centered around the figure of our Blessed Mother as she appeared in December of1531 to the native American Saint Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill in the area of modern day Mexico City. Our Blessed Mother actually appeared four times to Saint Juan Diego and once to his dying elderly uncle, Juan Bernardino. The fourth appearance to Saint Juan Diego was the most wonderful. A brief account of the apparitions will help us to appreciate better God the Father’s purpose in sending the Blessed Mother to us at Tepeyac Hill and the important meaning of devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Shrine History
February 22, 1995
Bishop Raymond L. Burke is installed as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse.
July 1999
Bishop Raymond L. Burke announces plans for the construction and establishment of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be located in La Crosse.
June 17, 2001
Official ground breaking for the Shrine complex.
December 12, 2002
Dedication of the Pilgrim Center and the Mother of Good Counsel Votive Candle Chapel.
May 13, 2005
Cornerstone laid for the Shrine Church. Pilgrims submit petitions to be buried behind the cornerstone.
Sept 21, 2007
Dedication of the devotional area to St. Joseph the Workman.
December 8, 2007
Dedication of the Rosary Walk.
July 30, 2008
Dedication of the devotional area to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.
July 31, 2008
Dedication of the Shrine Church. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke was the main celebrant at the Mass of Dedication. Cardinals Justin Rigali and Francis George, and over twenty (20) archbishops/ bishops and over one hundred (100) priests, joined the hundreds of faithful inside the new church. Over sixty (60) Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre and over twenty-five (25) Knights of Columbus Honor Guard were also present.
December 12, 2008
Dedication of the Memorial to the Unborn.
September 23, 2011
The Marian Catechist Apostolate officially establishes its international headquarters
October 5, 2024
Ground breaking of the St. Juan Diego Pilgrim House.
May 2004
Official ground breaking for the Shrine Church.
November 24, 2024
Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke appointed Father Hildebrand Garceau as Rector of the Shrine Church. The Shrine is blessed to be served by four Norbertine priests from St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County.
December 12, 2024
Record number of Pilgrims came to the Shrine to make their Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe, written and led by Cardinal Burke
A Gift of Providence
Pilgrims come to the Shrine Church to receive God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance and to participate in Holy Mass. Through her beautiful image behind the altar, Our Lady of Guadalupe continues her vocation and mission of bringing Christ to us and bringing us to Christ.
In November of 1995, then-Bishop Raymond Leo Burke met with a small group of people to discuss his ideas for a Marian shrine.
Through what many attribute to divine providence, a beautiful site of approximately 70 acres was gifted by the Robert Swing family. It was the desire of the late Mr. & Mrs. Swing that the tract of land which they had cared for so well might one day become a place that would draw people closer to God.
Want to learn more about the history of the Shrine?
“From the first inspiration of the building of a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the goal has been to build a beautiful church dedicated to Our Lord Jesus and His Mother and our Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
– Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
A Place to Draw People Closer to God
From the day he was named Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke reflected upon and prayed about the pastoral needs of the entire diocese. He spoke about his concern both for the family, which has suffered so many assaults in recent times, and about the violence which more and more marks American culture.
In November of 1995, then-Bishop Raymond Leo Burke met with a small group of people to discuss his ideas for a Marian shrine.
Through what many attribute to divine providence, a beautiful site of approximately 70 acres was gifted by the Robert Swing family. It was the desire of the late Mr. & Mrs. Swing that the tract of land which they had cared for so well might one day become a place that would draw people closer to God.
“The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin recalls the appearances of 1531 and proclaims once again her message of God’s mercy and love.”
– Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke