Photos

Outdoor gardens, shrines offer peaceful respite during pandemic

After churches closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the faithful have found peace and respite in the many outdoor shrines and gardens in the Archdiocese of Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Families, couples and individuals visit the Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines for private prayer on May 23, 2020. With Masses suspended because of the pandemic, the outdoor shrine is a popular spot where people seek prayer. Staff at the shrine monitor that everyone who visits are in compliance with CDC guidelines. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Two people hug in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
People pray before an outdoor image of the Risen Christ. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
An man kneels before the image of the Risen Christ. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Many leave candles, prayer cards and other items at the shrine. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The Rosary Valley as seen at the Slovenian Catholic Mission in Lemont on May 29, 2020. The mission sits on 130 acres of land that includes the monastery and church, a retreat center, a picnic area, outdoor stations of the cross, a Lourdes grotto and a rosary valley. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
People can pray the stations of the cross on the Slovenian Catholic Mission grounds. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A shrine to the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary is also at the Slovenian Catholic Mission along with a Lourdes grotto. (Karen Callaway
Archdiocese of Chicago’s Healing Garden, located just west of Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Road, is another place for people to pray. The Healing Garden was created in 2011 by a committee of survivors of abuse by clergy, archdiocesan priests and staff from the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. The garden is intended to be a place that invites reconciliation, hope and healing, not only for survivors and their families, but also for the larger Catholic Church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Hill of the Crosses replica at Lithuanian World Center, 14911 127th St., Lemont. This small shrine is a replica of the famous one in Lithuania and features dozens of handmade crosses and shrines dedicated to loved ones in the community. The hill, which in the summer has hundreds of flowers, also has benches for people to sit and enjoy the quiet. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A shrine to the Infant of Prague at the beginning of the “Heavenly Walk” at the outdoor garden and shrines at Marytown in Libertyville on May 30, 2020. Maryville also has outdoor stations of the cross, the 20 mysteries of the rosary and shrines to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Crucified Lord, St. Francis, St. Anthony and Padre Pio. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Joyful Mysteries section in the outdoor garden and shrines at Marytown in Libertyville on May 30, 2020. Since the pandemic began and churches closed, many people have visited the outdoor gardens and shrines to pray at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe operated by the Conventual Franciscan Friars. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Pam Schillaci cleans a plaque of a mystery of the rosary while she prays in the garden on May 30, 2020. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Two women walk through the rosary garden at Marytown on May 30. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Advertising