Exclusive Tour of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica & National Shrine

Experience the rich history of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Garfield Park on a private tour with an expert guide. Delve into the captivating stories and insights that truly bring this stunning landmark to life. Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage with the faith and community that define this remarkable place!!

Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica is one of three churches in Illinois designated as a basilica by the Pope, alongside St. Hyacinth and Queen of All Saints. It is notable as one of the few "Black basilicas" in the United States, serving a significant African American community. Another example is the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Virginia. This basilica also hosts the National Shrine of Saint Peregrine.

We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~

If you would like to pay in cash on the day of the tour instead of buying a ticket online, please contact me directly at [email protected] or send a text to 312.835.4259. I will ensure that you can make the payment in person at the beginning of the tour.

The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday afternoon. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures! Tripods are allowed too.

After the tour, we might grab lunch at one of the few nearby places. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of sit-down restaurants close to the church, with it being more takeout, so we can play it by ear:
J J Fish on Kedzie 411 S Kedzie Ave, http://jjfishonkedzie.com/
Joe Willies Seafood WestTown 337 S Sacramento Blvd, https://www.facebook.com/joewillieswesttown1

All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES don't accept separate checks!

Founded in 1874, the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows has been administered by the Servite Fathers throughout its entire history. Ground was broken for the current building on June 17, 1890, and the church was dedicated on January 5, 1902. Designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style, it was created by architects Henry Engelbert, John F. Pope, and William J. Brinkmann. The church features a barrel-vaulted ceiling that surrounds a high altar made entirely of Carrara marble. In 1956, the Vatican declared it a basilica.

In its first year, a plot of farmland was acquired on the city’s far West Side, where a brick church was constructed, measuring 102 feet long, 38 feet wide, and standing two stories high. Midnight Mass was celebrated on Christmas Eve in 1874. The following year, the small church, located on what is now the site of the Servite monastery, was beautifully frescoed. As the congregation grew, the need for a much larger church became apparent. On June 17, 1890, ground was broken for the Italian Renaissance-style church we see today. The building opened for Mass within months, operating under a temporary roof while the walls reached only half of their eventual height. It was not until January 5, 1902, that the magnificent church could be dedicated.

When improvements were made to the lower church, Father James M. Keane compiled a booklet of prayers for a new service that would utilize the basement shrine. On January 8, 1937, the Sorrowful Mother Novena began, establishing Chicago’s Our Lady of Sorrows as a Marian Shrine of national and international fame. Throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s, the Great Novena filled the church weekly with up to 38 separate services. At its peak, the Novena spread to over 2,300 additional parishes.

For many years, the parish primarily served an Irish and Italian congregation. The Sorrowful Mother Novena was a significant devotion at the parish during the first half of the 20th century, attracting worshippers from across the country and reaching many more listeners via radio. The church also houses the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, the patron saint of those suffering from cancer.

In 1956, Pope Pius XII granted the title of Basilica to the Our Lady of Sorrows National Shrine, a distinction celebrated throughout the following year with special pilgrimages. The Novena is still celebrated weekly, and the basilica is increasingly recognized for the splendor of its architecture and the history it has witnessed. Tragically, in 1984, the upper stages of the western tower were lost to fire. However, both the interior and the exterior brickwork have benefited from ongoing restoration in recent years, resulting in a breathtaking shrine that captivates many first-time visitors.

In the 1960s and 1970s the parish became predominantly African-American. It is notable as one of the few "Black basilicas" in the United States, serving a significant African American community

The basilica was used for a brief scene in the 1987 film The Untouchables in which Sean Connery's character explains "The Chicago Way" to Kevin Costner's character. The basilica also appears in the 1989 film Next of Kin in a scene with Patrick Swayze and Helen Hunt, as well in an episode in the 2022 miniseries The Marian-Stained Glass Windows.

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

If you are driving, there is street parking on Jackson and free on the side streets. CHURCH HAS A GATED PARKING LOT THAT WE CAN USE OFF JACKSON AND SOUTH ALBANY AVE. FOLLOW THE SIGNS. FATHER FALCO WILL OPEN THE PARKING LOT FOR US AND CLOSE IT DURING THE TOUR

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO-SHOW!

How to find us: *TICKETED EVENT* Meet inside the front vestibule of the church. We will wait for our docent for the tour. The tour starts promptly at 1 pm. Call me at 312.835.4259 if lost or late

For more info about my meetup group, click on the links below:

https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/

Host or Publisher 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die