About Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica - National Shrine of St. Peregrine · Chicago, Illinois
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, located on Chicago's West Side at 3121 West Jackson Boulevard, is one of only three churches in Illinois designated by the Pope as a minor basilica. Founded in 1874 and administered continuously by the Servite Order (Order of the Servants of Mary), it was raised to basilica status by Pope Pius XII in 1956 in recognition of its elaborate beauty and the worldwide reach of its Sorrowful Mother Novena devotion. The basilica also houses the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from cancer, which moved to the parish in 1991–1993 and draws pilgrims from across the United States and abroad for monthly healing Masses celebrated in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (BVM Sorrows); also St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from cancer
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Krymski, O.S.M.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Chicago
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows is one of only three papal minor basilicas in Illinois and the home of both the world-famous weekly Sorrowful Mother Novena (in continuous celebration since January 8, 1937) and the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, patron saint of those suffering from cancer. Worshippers are welcomed to Mass in English and Spanish, to a healing Mass on the second Saturday (Spanish) and third Saturday (English) of each month, to the weekly Via Matris devotion, and to a parish community that — despite shrinking to about 300 registered families — continues the Servite charism of comforting the sorrowful. Visitors also come for the building itself: a soaring Italian Renaissance interior with more than 1,100 gold-leaf panels, Carrara marble altar, and a Basilica Museum of devotional art.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica - National Shrine of St. Peregrine
Weekly Mass schedule
History of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica
Founded in 1874 by three Servants of Mary — Fathers Austin Morini and Andrew Venturi and Brother Joseph Camera — at the invitation of Bishop Thomas Foley, the parish grew from a single brick church 102 feet long on the far West Side into one of the most celebrated Marian shrines in the United States. The present Italian Renaissance-style building was begun on June 17, 1890, designed by Engelbert, Pope & Brinkmann, opened for Masses under a temporary roof within months, and dedicated on January 5, 1902 in the presence of Mayor Carter Harrison Sr. and the Catholic hierarchy. The parish served an Irish and then Italian congregation for decades, sponsored the Sorrowful Mother Novena beginning January 8, 1937, was elevated to minor basilica by Pope Pius XII on May 4, 1956 (formally proclaimed in 1957 by Cardinal Samuel Stritch), and assumed the National Shrine of St. Peregrine in 1991–93. The fire of 1984 destroyed the upper stages of the western tower, which has not been rebuilt.
The Servite Order in Chicago
Our Lady of Sorrows has been staffed by the Servite Order (Order of the Servants of Mary, O.S.M.) since its founding in 1874. From this parish the Servites established missions across the western suburbs — founding St. Luke in River Forest and St. Mel in Chicago — and dispatched 'missionary priests on horseback' to farmlands that became Oak Park, Austin, Maywood, Cicero, LaGrange, Lyons and Riverside. The Basilica has housed the Servite Provincialate and monastery; today it also hosts the Servite Secular Order (the lay branch of the order) for the Chicago area.
- First pastor: Father Austin Morini, O.S.M.
- Founders: Fathers Morini and Venturi, Brother Joseph Camera
- Mother parish of St. Luke (River Forest) and St. Mel (Chicago)
The Sorrowful Mother Novena
Begun in the lower basilica shrine on January 8, 1937 by Father James M. Keane, O.S.M., the Sorrowful Mother Novena became a national and international devotion. Father Keane's prayer book 'Queen of Martyrs' was published in sixteen editions and more than 7,000,000 copies in 31 languages. At its peak in the 1940s and 1950s the novena required up to 38 separate Friday services to accommodate more than 70,000 worshippers each week, and was celebrated in over 2,300 parishes, 80 cathedrals, army camps, convents, hospitals, colleges (including Notre Dame) and universities. National magazines Life and Time called it 'the religious phenomenon of the age.' The novena continues today as a private weekly devotion on Friday mornings at 8:00 AM.
- Begun January 8, 1937 by Fr. James M. Keane, O.S.M.
- Directors: Keane → Lawrence Calkins → Terence Seery → Clarence Brisette
- Prayer book 'Queen of Martyrs': 16 editions, 7M+ copies, 31 languages
National Shrine of St. Peregrine
The National Shrine of St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from cancer, was begun by the Servites in 1955 at St. Dominic Church near Cabrini-Green, later moved to Assumption Parish, and transferred to Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in 1991 when Cardinal Joseph Bernardin blessed it. The shrine was formally dedicated on June 5, 1993. Today the basilica holds St. Peregrine Healing Masses in Spanish on the second Saturday of each month and in English on the third Saturday, both at 11:00 AM. Pilgrims come from across the United States and abroad to pray for healing through St. Peregrine's intercession; the church estimates hundreds of such visitors each year. The current shrine director is Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M.
- Founded 1955 at St. Dominic Church
- Moved to Basilica in 1991 (blessed by Cardinal Bernardin)
- Formally dedicated June 5, 1993
- Director: Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M.
Architecture & Art Treasures
The basilica is an Italian Renaissance Revival landmark designed by Henry Engelbert, John F. Pope, and William J. Brinkmann. It seats about 1,200 people beneath a barrel-vaulted coffered ceiling 80 feet high and a nave 65 feet wide, decorated with more than 1,100 ornate gold-leaf panels. The high altar is built entirely of Carrara marble, and a surviving English Baroque eastern steeple (one of an original pair of 200-foot towers) marks the West Side skyline.
- Architects: Engelbert, Pope & Brinkmann (1890–1902)
- Seating: ~1,200; ceiling height: 80 ft; nave width: 65 ft
- 1,100+ gold-leaf coffered panels
- Carrara marble high altar
- Twin 200-ft towers originally; western tower lost to fire 1984
Art and Stained Glass
The basilica's interior decoration was added over several decades and represents an extraordinary collection of American Catholic ecclesiastical art. Sanctuary murals were painted by Henry Balink and by F. Giusti, while oil-on-canvas works on the nave pilasters and the 'First Mass of St. Philip Benizi' canvas are by Charles Bosseron Chambers. Additional paintings are by Frank Giusti, Richard Schmid, and Sister Mary Stanisia; stained glass was executed by Larry Zgoda, Richard Weber, Munich Studio and Clinton Glass Co.; and statuary was supplied by the Deprato Statuary Company (later Daprato Rigali). A replica of the Volto Santo crucifix from Lucca, Italy, hangs in the northwest chapel of the nave.
- Painters: Henry Balink, F. Giusti, Charles Bosseron Chambers, Frank Giusti, Richard Schmid, Sr. Mary Stanisia
- Stained glass: Larry Zgoda, Richard Weber, Munich Studio, Clinton Glass Co.
- Statuary: Deprato Statuary / Daprato Rigali
- Volto Santo replica (Cathedral of Lucca)
Basilica Museum
The Basilica Museum preserves devotional and historical objects connected with the Sorrowful Mother Novena, the Servite Order's American mission, and the parish's role as a national Marian shrine. Items include a 1726-era devotional connection to St. Peregrine and memorabilia from the 1957 Coronation Year, when the basilica received its papal title.
Mass & Devotion Schedule
Our Lady of Sorrows celebrates Mass in English on Sundays (10:00 AM) and on Tuesdays, Fridays and the third Saturday of each month (8:30 AM Tuesday/Friday, 11:00 AM Saturday). The Via Matris ('The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother') is prayed at 9:30 AM each Sunday before Mass. The Sorrowful Mother Novena is celebrated each Friday at 8:00 AM. St. Peregrine Healing Masses are offered at 11:00 AM on the second Saturday of each month in Spanish and on the third Saturday in English.
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM (English)
- Weekday Mass: Tue & Fri 8:30 AM; 3rd Saturday 11:00 AM
- Via Matris: Sunday 9:30 AM
- Sorrowful Mother Novena: Friday 8:00 AM
- St. Peregrine Healing Mass: 2nd Saturday (Spanish), 3rd Saturday (English) — 11:00 AM
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Rev. Christopher Krymski, O.S.M., pastor, with Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M., serving as Director of the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, and Deacon James Norman assisting with liturgy, faith formation and the Wednesday-evening Scripture Discussion and Prayer group. The Servite monastery attached to the basilica is staffed by the Order of the Servants of Mary.
- Pastor: Rev. Christopher Krymski, O.S.M.
- Shrine Director: Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M.
- Deacon: James Norman
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish supports an active devotional and service life rooted in the Servite charism of accompanying the sorrowful. The Compassionate Companions ministry visits and prays with the seriously ill; the Care for Creation / Laudato Si' committee is developing Novena Park, a Prayer and Meditation Garden on the parish grounds; the Servite Secular Order meets locally; and a Wednesday-evening Scripture Discussion and Prayer group led by Deacon Norman is open to all via Microsoft Teams or by phone.
- Compassionate Companions (pastoral care of the sick)
- Care for Creation / Laudato Si' Committee (Novena Park Prayer Garden)
- Servite Secular Order
- Weekly Scripture Discussion & Prayer (Deacon James Norman, Wed 6:30 PM)
- Via Matris devotion (Sundays 9:30 AM)
Sorrowful Mother Novena — Direct Lineage
National Directors of the Sorrowful Mother Novena have been: (1) Father James M. Keane, O.S.M., founder; (2) Father Lawrence Calkins, O.S.M.; (3) Father Terence Seery, O.S.M.; and (4) Father Clarence M. Brisette, O.S.M., who served as director for eleven years. Father Brisette authored the official 1957 Coronation Year booklet describing the parish's history and devotion.
Pop Culture & Media Appearances
The basilica has been used as a filming location for several major motion pictures and television productions, including a scene in the 1987 film 'The Untouchables' starring Sean Connery, scenes in the 1989 film 'Next of Kin' with Kevin Costner, a scene with Patrick Swayze and Helen Hunt, and an episode of the 2022 miniseries 'The Marian.'
- The Untouchables (1987)
- Next of Kin (1989)
- The Marian (2022 miniseries)
Visiting the Basilica
The Basilica is open for visitors Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; visitors enter through the Parish Office. The parish welcomes group pilgrimages; tours are given by Servite Father Frank Falco and other staff. Pilgrims are especially encouraged to attend the weekly Friday Sorrowful Mother Novena (8:00 AM), the Sunday Mass with Via Matris (9:30 AM Via Matris, 10:00 AM Mass), and the monthly St. Peregrine Healing Mass (2nd Saturday in Spanish, 3rd Saturday in English, 11:00 AM).
- Visiting hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Parish Office entrance)
- Group pilgrimages and tours available
- Contact: (773) 638-0159
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Austin Morini, O.S.M.1874 – c.1890
Co-founder of the parish and first pastor; one of three founding Servites sent from Italy.
- Father Andrew Venturi, O.S.M.Co-founder, 1874
Co-founder alongside Fr. Morini and Br. Joseph Camera, OSM.
- Brother Joseph Camera, O.S.M.Co-founder, 1874
Co-founding brother; helped establish the first brick church.
- Father (Tom) 'the Miracle Worker', O.S.M.Late 19th century
Staunch pioneering Servite who evangelized West Side farmlands by horseback; founded St. Luke (River Forest) and St. Mel (Chicago).
- Father McCann, O.S.M.Late 19th century
Early pioneering Servite pastor who served farmlands from the parish.
- Father Hugh Crevier, O.S.M.1890 – 1900
Pastor during planning and start of construction; planned the new Italian Renaissance church; later founded St. Philip Boys High School in 1904.
- Father Quigley, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history among the 'later pastors.'
- Father Sheahan, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Burke, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Mulherin, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Condon, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Lyons, O.S.M.Early 20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Scheltinga, O.S.M.Mid-20th century
Servite pastor listed in parish history.
- Father Joseph Srill, O.S.M.Mid-20th century
Servite pastor and Provincial of the Our Lady of Sorrows Province.
- Father James M. Keane, O.S.M.Pre-1937 – founder of Sorrowful Mother Novena
Founded the Sorrowful Mother Novena on January 8, 1937; authored 'Queen of Martyrs' prayer book (16 editions, 7M+ copies in 31 languages); first National Director of the novena.
- Father Lawrence Calkins, O.S.M.Mid-20th century
Second National Director of the Sorrowful Mother Novena.
- Father Terence Seery, O.S.M.Mid-20th century
Third National Director of the Sorrowful Mother Novena.
- Father Clarence M. Brisette, O.S.M.c.1946 – c.1957
Fourth National Director of the Sorrowful Mother Novena for eleven years; authored the 1957 Basilica coronation booklet.
- Father Jerome M. DePencier, O.S.M.At time of 1957 coronation
Pastor at the 1956/1957 papal elevation to basilica; Very Reverend.
- Father Paul M. Grace, O.S.M.c.1957
Prior of the Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery at the time of coronation.
- Father Hugh M. Calkins, O.S.M.c.1957
Listed on Basilica committee during coronation.
- Father John M. Wondrasek, O.S.M.c.1957
Listed on Basilica committee during coronation.
- Rev. Christopher Krymski, O.S.M.Present (as of 2024)
Current pastor; shrine director heritage; quoted in 2018 Servite anniversary article on parish finances and devotion.
- Rev. Joseph Chamblain, O.S.M.Present
Director of the National Shrine of St. Peregrine.
