On June 17, 1947, the Blessed Virgin Mary founded our Shrine by speaking to Fr. Jarzembowski at the Marian Congress in Ottawa, Canada, to start a shrine in little Pontiac. Within one year, on June 20, 1948, an Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit blessed the Shrine as it became one of the six Marian shrines of Michigan. Next year, June 17, 2027, God willing, we will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the BLESSED MOTHER FOUNDING HER SHRINE!
I will be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel only) from October 12-22. There is still space left. There is nothing like walking in the footsteps of Jesus in HIS land, having Mass in the Holy Places, reading the Bible where its events happened, and visiting almost all the places of the 20 Mysteries of the Rosary. To prepare, we will hold a mandatory Pilgrimage Orientation Meeting at St. Joseph Chapel (400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341) on Saturday, July 11, from 2:00-4:00 pm. The pilgrimage is filling up fast. To register, please bring a current passport—valid at least 3 months after our return—and a means of payment. We will meet in the lower level. Please enter through the front iron doors of the chapel. “Come and see!” (John 1:46)
To communicate with me, please email me directly at my NEW EMAIL abunacalcio1982@gmail.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries