The Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Ohio Is a Sacred Place to Ponder and Reflect
As you may have gathered by now, our first feature of the month almost always pertains to the Catholic liturgical calendar and what it is dedicated to, and this month (September) is none other than Our Lady of Sorrows.
Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as Mater Dolorosa, reflects on the profound grief Mary experienced during her son's earthly life and crucifixion. This devotion is significant to Catholics as it emphasizes Mary's immense suffering and her role as a compassionate intercessor for humanity.
In addition to the month-long devotion, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15, inviting all to meditate on the seven sorrows Mary endured, from Simeon's prophecy to Jesus' burial.
In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, we invite you to make a pilgrimage to the Sorrowful Mary Shrine in beautiful Bellevue, Ohio:
Billed as an "inspiring place of prayer where God and nature touch," the Sorrowful Mary Shrine is a truly one-of-a-kind site that lives up to its mission.
Founded in 1850 by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, the Sorrowful Mother Shrine spans an incredible 153 acres, complete with walking paths, mature trees, and forty-one unique grottos.
Dedicated to saints like St. Padre Pio, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Michael the Archangel, there is no shortage of places along the path to stop, reflect, and pray.
In addition to the saints, the Sorrowful Mother Shrine is home to a lovely grotto dedicated solely to Our Lady of Sorrows and ones about the mystery of both Jesus and Mary's lives.
While the grottos make the Sorrowful Mother Shrine a must-visit, the on-site chapels - a la the historic Sorrowful Mother Shrine Chapel and the Pieta Outdoor Chapel - make the site even more special.
Mass at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine takes place Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m., Saturday evening at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
No trip to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine is complete without a visit to the gift shop!
To learn more about the Sorrowful Mother Shrine, please visit their website.