The Pilgrims Page: The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe

In November we remember in a special way those who have passed away. On Nov. 2, we celebrate All Souls Day, the day we pray for the souls in purgatory. In the United States there is only one sanctified shrine dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory—the church of St. Odilo, located on the outskirts of Chicago in Berwyn, Ill.

St. Odilo was the abbot of the Benedictine Abbey in Cluny, France from the year 994 until his death on January 1, 1049. St. Odilo instituted an annual commemoration of all the faithful departed, the day after All Saints Day. All the monasteries under the direction of the abbey were instructed to observe this day by offering prayers, alms, and sacrifices for the relief of the suffering souls in purgatory. This tradition soon grew and was practiced by local bishops and their dioceses and eventually made its way to the Vatican. The pope instituted that day as a universal day of prayer for the holy souls in purgatory—now known as All Souls Day—for the Catholic Church throughout the world.

St. Odilo’s Church was founded and sanctioned as the Shrine of the Poor Souls by His Eminence, George Cardinal Mundelein in 1928 with a special indulgence of 200 days granted upon each visit to the shrine. There you can find a side altar shrine with art that depicts the poor souls suffering and a place to light a candle and pray for them. It is a somber shrine. 

An hour north of St. Odilo’s Church, you can find another great shrine known as Marytown. Marytown is the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Ill. The shrine is in the care of the Conventual Franciscan Friars of St. Bonaventure Province. Perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been continual here since June 7, 1928.

St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan priest who was martyred during the Holocaust at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. There is a museum where you can learn about St. Maximilian’s life and see a replica of the concentration camp cell where he was left to die. There is even a piece of rock from the actual cell wall on display. The museum is a hard exhibit to go through given the events that happened, but well worth the visit. 

On the adjoining grounds of the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, is Mundelein Seminary and conference center. The grounds are beautifully kept and include woods and a lake to walk around. There is a replica of Our Lady of Lourdes grotto and a beautiful church to visit as well. It is a very peaceful place.