About Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish - Our Lady of Fatima Church-Shrine of St. Anne · Chicago, Illinois
Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish is a Roman Catholic territorial parish in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, formed July 1, 2019 through the Archdiocese of Chicago's 'Renew My Church' initiative by uniting the historic Our Lady of Fatima Parish–Shrine of St. Anne (founded in the 1880s as St. Joseph for French-Canadian Catholics) with St. Pancratius Parish (founded in 1924 for Polish-speaking Catholics). The parish operates two worship sites — the Our Lady of Fatima Church (with the historic Shrine of St. Anne inside) at 2751 W. 38th Place, and St. Pancratius Church at 4025 S. Sacramento Avenue — and ministers primarily in Spanish and English to a vibrant Latino immigrant community, while continuing a century-old devotion to St. Anne and the annual July Novena to her.
- Established
- 2019 (as merged parish); 1880s as St. Joseph Parish (Our Lady of Fatima side); 1924 as St. Pancratius Parish
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima (parish patron); St. Pancratius; St. Anne (Shrine of St. Anne inside Our Lady of Fatima Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Nestor F. Sáenz
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
Why belong here
Parishioners worship at two historic Brighton Park churches that together serve an overwhelmingly Spanish-speaking community, with three Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Fatima (Spanish/English/Spanish) and two Spanish Sunday Masses at St. Pancratius. The parish is the guardian of the Shrine of St. Anne — home to the second-largest relic of St. Anne in the world and the site of the historic annual July St. Anne Novena — and it maintains a thriving Hispanic devotional life including Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Anne novenas, CCD catechesis staffed by Franciscan Sisters from Honduras, and a multi-ethnic family parish school (St. John Paul II Catholic School). It is a bilingual, missionary, working-class community with deep immigrant roots and an active, faithful liturgical calendar.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish - Our Lady of Fatima Church-Shrine of St. Anne
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM (Our Lady of Fatima) — note: parish site also lists the window as 8:00 AM – 8:45 PM for confessions; verify by phone
Adoration times
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM (Eucharistic Adoration, Our Lady of Fatima)
Parish Identity and Two Worship Sites
Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish operates as a single territorial Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago with two worship sites in the Brighton Park neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side. Our Lady of Fatima Church, at 2751 W. 38th Place, houses the Shrine of St. Anne and is the older French Provincial Gothic edifice; St. Pancratius Church, at 4025 S. Sacramento Avenue (parish office at 2940 W. 40th Place), is the official parish church and the administrative center. Both churches retain their consecrated names after the 2019 merger, and Masses are celebrated in Spanish and English.
History — Our Lady of Fatima / Shrine of St. Anne
The parish traces back to 1880, when French-speaking Canadian settlers in Brighton Park asked Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan for their own church. Father Joseph LeSage organized the first French-speaking parish; the cornerstone was blessed June 7, 1891, the church (designed by LaPointe and Hickok in French Provincial Gothic) was dedicated in May 1892, and Shroeders Lascelles stained-glass windows were installed from January 18, 1896. The St. Anne devotion was begun by Father Cyril A. Poissant in July 1900, with the major St. Anne relic following in 1916 from the diocese of Avignon, France, under Father Joseph V. LaMarre. In 1991, St. Joseph-Shrine of St. Anne was consolidated with St. Agnes Parish to form Our Lady of Fatima – Shrine of St. Anne Parish.
- 1880: French-Canadian settlers arrive in Brighton Park
- June 7, 1891: Archbishop Feehan blesses cornerstone of St. Joseph Church
- May 1892: Church dedicated
- Nov 10, 1895: Bells consecrated by Archbishop Feehan
- Jan 18, 1896: Shroeders Lascelles stained-glass windows installed
- July 1900: First St. Anne Novena held under Father Cyril Poissant
- 1916: Major relic of St. Anne received from Avignon, France
- 1991: Consolidated with St. Agnes Parish as Our Lady of Fatima – Shrine of St. Anne
History — St. Pancratius Parish
St. Pancratius Parish was carved out of Five Holy Martyrs Parish for Polish-speaking Catholics overflowing from the older church. Cardinal-Elect (later Cardinal) George Mundelein asked Rev. Stanislaus Radniecki to organize the new parish in March 1924; the first Mass was celebrated March 9, 1924, the school cornerstone was laid November 9, 1924, a new church building opened August 9, 1959, and it was solemnly dedicated May 8, 1960. The succession of pastors, recorded in Illinois House Resolution HR0433, runs Father Radniecki, Father Nowicki, Father Boleslaus Niec, Father Walter Stefanski, Father Joseph Grembla, Father Andrew Wypych (1992–2002, later Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago) and Father Felipe Vaglient as the last independent pastor before the 2019 merger.
- Sept 8, 1923: Polish families petition Cardinal Mundelein for a parish
- March 9, 1924: First Mass offered
- Nov 9, 1924: School cornerstone laid
- August 9, 1959: New church building opens for first Mass
- May 8, 1960: Solemn dedication of St. Pancratius Church
- 1998–1999: Diamond Jubilee celebrated with 75th anniversary events
The 2019 Merger: Renew My Church
As part of the Archdiocese of Chicago's 'Renew My Church' initiative, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich decreed in 2018 (effective July 1, 2019) that Our Lady of Fatima – St. Anne Shrine and St. Pancratius Parish be extinguished as separate juridic persons and united to form the new Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish. Father Nestor Saenz, who had been pastor of Our Lady of Fatima and administrator of St. Pancratius for six months prior, led the unification and hosted a community unity dinner of about 250 people in the newly renovated hall of St. Pancratius. The neighboring Five Holy Martyrs Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish (a personal Lithuanian parish founded 1914) were simultaneously united into a second new parish. The four parishes share St. John Paul II Catholic School.
- Sept 2018: Cardinal Cupich's decree issued
- July 1, 2019: Merger effective
- Sept 4, 2019: New parish name publicly announced
- Father Nestor Saenz leads the merged parish
Shrine of St. Anne and Devotions
The Shrine of St. Anne, located within Our Lady of Fatima Church, is one of the most significant Marian-saint shrines in the Chicago area. The second-largest relic of St. Anne in the world is enshrined there. The parish maintains a year-round devotional life that includes the annual St. Anne Novena in July (begun 1900), the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows (begun May 1938), the Novena of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December), and a candlelit procession with 'las manitas' (songs to Our Lady) on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which in 2023 marked the reopening of the renovated St. Pancratius Church.
- Annual July Novena to St. Anne (since 1900)
- Major relic of St. Anne (received 1916, from Avignon, France)
- Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows (since 1938)
- Painting 'Our Mother in Sorrow' by J. Reynold Wellington, Paris
- Our Lady of Guadalupe novena and Feast Day celebration (Dec 12)
Architecture and Sacred Art
Our Lady of Fatima Church (originally St. Joseph) is a French Provincial Gothic structure designed by architects LaPointe and Hickok, with Shroeders Lascelles stained-glass windows installed from January 18, 1896 (the same firm that glazed Holy Name Cathedral and Notre Dame Church in Chicago). The main altar dates from 1950 (Father Fitzpatrick), the St. Anne sanctuary was built under Father DeCelle in 1937, and the church retains its historic bells consecrated by Archbishop Feehan on November 10, 1895. St. Pancratius Church, dedicated May 8, 1960, was extensively renovated and reopened for the first Mass on December 12, 2023 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe).
- Architects LaPointe and Hickok — French Provincial Gothic
- Shroeders Lascelles stained-glass windows (1896)
- Main altar installed 1950
- St. Anne sanctuary built 1937 under Father DeCelle
- St. Pancratius renovated 2023 and reopened Dec 12, 2023
Parish Staff and Religious Communities
Pastor Rev. Nestor F. Sáenz leads the parish with the assistance of Fr. Juan Carlos Ruiz, OFM (supply ministry) and Deacon José Negrete. Operations Director Monica Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant Rosa Perez, St. Anne Coordinator Irene Tovalin, Maintenance Supervisor Manuel Zaragoza, Maintenance Jesus Gonzalez and House Staff Paulina Gutierrez round out the staff. The parish is also served by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (HFI) from Comayagüa, Honduras, who arrived in December 2008 at Father Sáenz's invitation — Sr. Miriam Rivera, Sr. Maria Lucia Ulloa Flores (CCD Coordinator) and Sr. Ingris Lizeth Lopez Andara (Pastoral Ministries Coordinator).
- Rev. Nestor F. Sáenz — Pastor
- Fr. Juan Carlos Ruiz, OFM — Supply Ministry
- Deacon José Negrete
- Monica Rodriguez — Operations Director
- Rosa Perez — Administrative Assistant
- Irene Tovalin — St. Anne Coordinator
- Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (HFIC) — Sr. Miriam Rivera, Sr. Maria Lucia Ulloa Flores (CCD), Sr. Ingris Lizeth Lopez Andara (Pastoral Ministries)
Faith Formation, School and Community Life
Religious education is led by the parish CCD program under Sr. Maria Lucia Ulloa Flores, HFIC. The parish shares responsibility for St. John Paul II Catholic School with the neighboring Five Holy Martyrs and Immaculate Conception parishes; the school building has at times been administered in partnership with UNO Charter School Network. Lay groups include the Ladies of St. Anne (founded 1939), the Holy Name Society (1939), the St. Anne Novena organizing committee, and various Hispanic parish groups coordinated by the HFI sisters. The parish office at 2940 W. 40th Place is open Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM.
- CCD (parish catechesis) — Sr. Maria Lucia Ulloa Flores, HFIC
- St. John Paul II Catholic School (shared with Five Holy Martyrs & Immaculate Conception)
- Ladies of St. Anne (since 1939)
- Holy Name Society (since 1939)
- Parish office: Tue–Fri 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, 2940 W. 40th Pl.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph LeSage1880s–1907 (died Feb 21, 1907)
Founding pastor of St. Joseph Parish (French-Canadian), Brighton Park. Archbishop Feehan appointed him. Built cornerstone 1891, church dedicated May 1892. Brought Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, KS to open the school 1891.
- Rev. Cyril A. Poissant1900–1909
Second pastor (installed January 1900, age 34). Brought the first relic of St. Anne from the Bishop of Nicolet, Quebec. Built the altar of St. Anne and started the first St. Anne Novena in July 1900.
- Rev. Joseph V. LaMarre1909–1937
Third pastor (named January 1909). Organized pilgrimages to the St. Anne Shrine. In 1916 secured a major bone relic of St. Anne from Bishop Lenfant of Avignon, France (second-largest in the world after Beaupré). Built parish basement meeting rooms, renovated rectory, school and convent. Served 28 years.
- Rev. Adhemar SavaryJuly 1–October 3, 1937
Fourth pastor; became gravely ill the day before the St. Anne Novena began; died two weeks after appointment.
- Rev. Louis F. DeCelleOctober 22, 1937–c.1950
Fifth pastor. Remodeled church, school and rectory; built the new St. Anne sanctuary (still in place); started the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows in May 1938; acquired the painting 'Our Mother in Sorrow' by J. Reynold Wellington; founded Ladies of St. Anne and Holy Name societies.
- Rev. Lawrence Fitzpatrickfrom January 1950
Completed the parish school and convent. Rebuilt choir and organ after a fire and installed the main altar that survives today.
- Rev. E. Lawrence HewsJune 1959 – October 28, 1961 (died)
Continued internal and external restoration of the church; died of a heart attack.
- Rev. James V. Shannon1961 – February 27, 1962 (died)
Succeeded Father Hews; died in office.
- Rev. Herbert J. Boesen1962 – November 1975 (died)
During his tenure the St. Anne pilgrimage and school enrollment declined; responsibilities of the sisters were transferred to the laity.
- Rev. John F. Zock1974
Revived devotion to St. Anne, attracted young people and new parish groups.
- Rev. Pierre J. Barr1982 – c.1995 (died Sept 17, 2007)
Continued restoration for the centenary; solemn centenary Mass November 5, 1989 with Bishop Alfred L. Abramowicz.
- Rev. Anthony Englert1995 – c.2002
Appointed pastor 1995; oversaw purchase of new electronic organ and bells.
- Rev. Marco Cardenas, CMF2002 – c.2005
Appointed administrator; built new restrooms; continued St. Anne Novena.
- Rev. Nestor F. SáenzSeptember 2005 – present
Pastor since 2005 at Our Lady of Fatima; led the 2019 merger into Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish; renewed church and rectory roofs, oversaw school restoration, brought Franciscan Sisters from Honduras in 2009, led 2023 renovation of St. Pancratius Church.
- Rev. Stanislaus RadnieckiMarch 1924 – (first pastor of St. Pancratius)
First pastor; organized the new Polish parish at the request of Cardinal-Elect Mundelein; first Mass March 9, 1924; school cornerstone November 9, 1924.
- Rev. Nowickisecond pastor of St. Pancratius (per 1998 IL House Resolution)
Successor to Father Radniecki.
- Rev. Boleslaus Niecthird pastor of St. Pancratius
Per 1998 IL House Resolution listing the succession.
- Rev. Walter Stefanskifourth pastor of St. Pancratius
Previously assistant at St. Andrew the Apostle, Calumet City, then pastor of St. Joseph, Chicago Heights before St. Pancratius.
- Rev. Joseph Gremblafifth pastor of St. Pancratius
Per 1998 IL House Resolution.
- Rev. Andrew WypychMarch 1, 1992 – April 30, 2002 (also Five Holy Martyrs pastor Oct 1996 – Oct 1999)
Born Dec 5, 1954 in Poland; ordained deacon by future Pope John Paul II; ordained priest 1979 in Kraków; later auxiliary bishop of Chicago (consecrated August 10, 2011).
- Rev. Felipe Vaglientafter 2002 – June 30, 2019 (last pastor of independent St. Pancratius)
Last pastor before the 2019 merger into Our Lady of Fatima & St. Pancratius Parish.