About Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine · La Salle, Illinois
Queen of the Holy Rosary Memorial Shrine is a Catholic Marian shrine located at 529 Fourth Street in La Salle, Illinois, in the Diocese of Peoria. Originally founded in 1925 as an Italian-American parish, it was elevated to a Diocesan Shrine on November 7, 2007 by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky and dedicated to the memory of all living and deceased U.S. military veterans. The current Neo-Italian Renaissance church, built in 1954–56 to designs by architect A. F. Moratz of Bloomington, Illinois, is renowned for its Bedford-stone exterior, fifteen stained glass windows of German and Belgian glass, marble altars imported from Italy, and a replica mosaic of Our Lady of Pompeii in the high altar. Today the Shrine functions as a worship site of the newly formed St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish and remains a popular destination for weddings, pilgrimages, prayer, and daily Marian devotion, having also served as a Holy Door pilgrimage site during Pope Francis's 2015–2016 Holy Year of Mercy.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Rosary / Queen of the Holy Rosary)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Thomas Otto
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine offers something rare in the Diocese of Peoria: a Marian shrine with both a rich devotional life and a distinctive Italian-American heritage. Worshippers can attend a daily 8:00 a.m. Mass (with an additional 9:15 a.m. Mass on Wednesdays when the parish school is in session), the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Latin Mass, the Sunday 5:30 p.m. English Mass, and weekday Rosary three times a week. Confession is offered almost every day of the week in the Holy Rosary confessionals. The parish runs faith formation, Bible reading in the Mother's Chapel on Monday mornings, a Creighton-model Natural Family Planning program, the Life Teen Illinois Valley Youth Group (meeting Sundays at the Shrine), and a Hispanic ministry (Comité Hispano), making it a genuinely multicultural and family-friendly Catholic community anchored in pilgrimage, prayer, and Marian devotion.
Mass times at Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:15–9:45 AM — Holy Rosary Shrine
- Monday: 4:30–5:30 PM — Holy Rosary Shrine
- Wednesday: 7:00–8:00 PM — Holy Rosary Confessionals
- Thursday: 7:00–8:00 PM — Holy Rosary Shrine
- Friday: 4:30–5:25 PM — Holy Rosary Confessionals
- Saturday: 2:30–3:30 PM — St. Patrick Relic Chapel
History of Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine
The Shrine grew out of the Italian-American Catholic community in La Salle, which first organized under Father Charles Zachini in 1904–05 with the Church of the Immaculate Conception (closed 1907). After 18 years without a parish, Father Peter Delo re-established the community in 1925 as Queen of the Holy Rosary, with the first Masses celebrated in the Knights of Columbus hall and the first church dedicated in a converted house at 529 Fourth Street. The current monumental church was built 1954–56 under the long pastorate of Msgr. Simon D. Bernardi, and on November 7, 2007 Bishop Daniel R. Jenky elevated the parish to a Diocesan Shrine to War Veterans, granting a partial indulgence to pilgrims. Today it is an additional worship site of the new St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish.
- 1904 – Fr. Charles Zachini arrives; first Italian-American Mass in private home
- December 8, 1905 – Church of the Immaculate Conception dedicated at Fourth and Bucklin
- 1907 – Father Zachini recalled to Loreto; Italian church closes
- 1925 – Fr. Peter Delo, with permission of Bishop Edmund M. Dunne, founds Queen of the Holy Rosary
- 1936 – Fr. Simon D. Bernardi appointed pastor
- May 16, 1954 – Ground broken for current Neo-Italian Renaissance church
- October 7, 1956 – New church dedicated; Apostolic Blessing from Pope Pius XII
- October 5, 1975 – Msgr. Bernardi dies in sacristy before 50th-anniversary Mass
- November 7, 2007 – Elevated to Diocesan Shrine by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky
- November 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016 – Designated Holy Door pilgrimage site for Jubilee of Mercy
- April 7, 2025 – Becomes a worship site of St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish
Memorial to Veterans
At its dedication the parish adopted a special mission: to honor all living and deceased members of the United States Armed Forces. Seven parishioners who gave their lives in World War II — John Marinangeli, Richard Marinangeli, Anthony Piraino, Joseph Piraino, John Torchia, Angelo Venturi, and Barney Valesano — were named individually in the memorial dedication. This vocation led Bishop Jenky in 2007 to formally designate the church as a Diocesan Shrine to War Veterans, the first of its kind in the Diocese of Peoria.
- Seven WWII servicemen memorialized by name
- Honors all U.S. Armed Forces veterans, living and deceased
- Partial indulgence granted to pilgrims
Architecture and Building Details
The Shrine is a textbook example of a mid-20th-century American Italian Renaissance Revival parish church. Architect A. F. Moratz of Bloomington, Illinois, designed the Bedford-stone edifice and Msgr. Bernardi personally directed its construction from groundbreaking (May 16, 1954) through dedication (October 7, 1956). The interior is a showcase of imported Italian craftsmanship: marble altars and railings, fifteen different marbles from Italy, France and North Africa, a three-ton marble pulpit, and an Italian-made mosaic of Our Lady of Pompeii dominating the high altar. The 1965 installation of additional Italian mosaics on the main and side altars deepened that aesthetic.
- Style: Neo-Italian Renaissance Revival
- Architect: A. F. Moratz, Bloomington, Illinois
- Exterior: Bedford limestone
- Interior marbles: 15 varieties from Italy, France, North Africa
- Stained glass: 15 windows of German/Belgian glass
- Focal mosaic: replica of Our Lady of Pompeii
- Choir loft: pipe organ + electronic carillon (700-song library) linked to bell tower
- Italian-made altar mosaics installed November 1965
Stained Glass Windows
Fifteen stained-glass windows of imported German and Belgian glass, executed in Italian Renaissance designs, illuminate the nave and sanctuary. Together they form a catechetical program in glass, presenting the mysteries of the Rosary, the Holy Family, key saints of Catholic devotion (including St. Maria Goretti, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Pius X, and St. John the Baptist), and the patronal mystery of the parish itself.
- Nativity
- St. Anne
- St. Maria Goretti
- St. Frances Xavier (Mother) Cabrini
- St. Pius X
- Holy Family
- Resurrection
- Christ the King
- Guardian Angel
- Queen of the Holy Rosary
- Sacred Heart
- Good Shepherd
- St. John the Baptist
Devotions & Pilgrimages
The Rosary is prayed publicly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:00 PM, and the parish encourages a culture of Marian pilgrimage tied to the Shrine's identity as Our Lady of the Rosary. The Shrine has been a destination for pious pilgrimages since its 1956 dedication and was especially prominent during the 2015–2016 Holy Year of Mercy, when Bishop Jenky designated it a Holy Door pilgrimage site.
- Weekday Rosary: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 3:00 PM
- Bible Reading: Mondays 8:50–9:50 AM in the Mother's Chapel
- Holy Door pilgrimage site for the Jubilee of Mercy (2015–2016)
- Partial indulgence available to pilgrims
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at the La Salle Catholic parishes serves children and adults. The Shrine hosts a Monday-morning Bible reading group in the Mother's Chapel and provides online access to FORMED.org for parishioners. The parish also offers the Creighton Model Natural Family Planning program as part of its family-life ministry.
- Bible Reading — Mondays 8:50–9:50 AM, Mother's Chapel
- FORMED.org digital faith library
- Creighton Model Natural Family Planning (instructor: Alyssa Zukowski)
- Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The Shrine hosts the Illinois Valley Catholic Youth Group, a Life Teen program for high school students, on Sunday evenings. The group's stated aim is to keep teens excited about their faith, help them recognize their place in God's family, and develop their God-given gifts.
- Life Teen / Illinois Valley Catholic Youth Group
- Meets every Sunday 6:30–7:30 PM at Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine
Hispanic Ministry (Comité Hispano)
Reflecting La Salle's growing Hispanic Catholic community, a Comité Hispano supports Spanish-speaking parishioners and serves as a Tribunal Notary liaison. Spanish-language Mass is offered at St. Hyacinth Church on Sundays at 12:15 PM and at the Shrine-area complex on Fridays at 5:30 PM.
- Spanish Mass: Sunday 12:15 PM at St. Hyacinth
- Spanish Mass: Friday 5:30 PM (Holy Rosary/Shrine complex)
- Comité Hispano leadership and Tribunal Notary support
Parish School — Academy of St. Carlo Acutis
The Shrine's historic school building at 650 4th Street now houses the Academy of St. Carlo Acutis, the parish school formed as part of the broader reorganization of Catholic ministry in La Salle. It serves children of the La Salle Catholic parishes.
- Academy of St. Carlo Acutis
- Location: 650 4th Street, La Salle, IL
- Wednesday 9:15 AM Mass offered when school is in session
Pastorate & Pastoral Care
The Shrine is pastored together with the other La Salle Catholic parishes (St. Patrick and St. Hyacinth) by Very Rev. Thomas Otto, who serves as Pastor of LaSalle Parishes and Rector of Holy Rosary Shrine. He is assisted by Rev. Jeffery A. Small (Parochial Vicar), Deacon Gabriel Guerrero (Pastoral Care), and Sister Norberta Piekos (Pastoral Care).
- Very Rev. Thomas Otto — Pastor / Rector
- Rev. Jeffery A. Small — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. Gabriel Guerrero — Pastoral Care
- Sr. Norberta Piekos — Pastoral Care
Parish Staff
Lay staff support the Shrine and the wider La Salle Catholic parishes in liturgy, formation, communications, and administration.
- Kathy Bacidore — Parish Life Coordinator
- Kori Suarez — Liturgical Music
- Rosa Vazquez — Secretary / Tribunal Notary
- Gisela Bustos — Secretary
- Esmeralda Cruz — Bookkeeper
- Mary Pryde — staff member
Pastorate History
Since its founding in 1925, Queen of the Holy Rosary has been led by a succession of pastors whose tenures tell the story of the parish — from a struggling Italian-American congregation of 35 families in a converted house, through the great construction project under Msgr. Bernardi, to its elevation as a Diocesan Shrine and integration into the new St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish.
- Fr. Peter Delo (1925–)
- Msgr. Simon D. Bernardi (1936–1975)
- Edward Bawiec (1975–1986)
- Dale Maloy (1986–2003)
- Gordon Pillon (2003–2006)
- Robert Rayson (2006–2012)
- Antonio Dittmer (2012–2016)
- Paul Carlson (2016–2021)
- Tom Otto (2021–Present)
Visitor Information
Pilgrims and visitors are warmly welcomed to the Shrine. The parish office at 725 4th Street (adjacent to St. Patrick Church) is open Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Shrine itself can be visited outside of Mass times for private prayer and to view its art and architecture. Phone 815-223-0641.
- Address (Shrine): 529 4th Street, La Salle, IL 61301
- Address (Offices): 725 4th Street, La Salle, IL 61301
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Phone: 815-223-0641; Fax: 815-223-0523
Supporting the Shrine
Because the Shrine is no longer an independent parish and depends on volunteer and donor support to maintain its unique architecture and devotional mission, fundraising efforts continue — most colorfully through the sale of 'Dalla Campanella' spaghetti sauce, a recipe perfected by Msgr. Bernardi himself, whose proceeds go to the upkeep of the Shrine complex.
- 'Dalla Campanella' spaghetti sauce sales (recipe of Msgr. Bernardi)
- Donations through the parish office at 725 4th Street
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Peter Delo1925–?
Founded the parish in 1925 with permission of Bishop Edmund M. Dunne; first Masses said in the Knights of Columbus hall; church dedicated in a converted house at 529 Fourth Street.
- Msgr. Simon D. Bernardi1936–1975
Born in Pievepelago, province of Modena, Italy; ordained June 12, 1932 in the U.S. Directed the design and construction of the current Neo-Italian Renaissance church (ground broken May 16, 1954; dedicated Oct. 7, 1956; cost ~$300,000). Made Privy Chamberlain (Very Reverend) by Pius XII in 1956 and Domestic Prelate (Reverend Monsignor) by John XXIII in 1963. Died Oct. 5, 1975 in the sacristy before the 50th-anniversary Pontifical High Mass after 39 years as pastor.
- Edward Bawiec1975–1986
Succeeded Msgr. Bernardi.
- Dale Maloy1986–2003
Served 17 years.
- Gordon Pillon2003–2006
- Robert Rayson2006–2012
- Antonio Dittmer2012–2016
- Paul Carlson2016–2021
- Tom Otto2021–Present
Current Pastor of LaSalle Parishes and Rector of Holy Rosary Shrine; now rector of the Shrine as a worship site of the newly formed St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish.