About Sorrowful Mother Shrine · Bellevue, Ohio
The Sorrowful Mother Shrine, located near Bellevue, Ohio, is one of the oldest Marian pilgrimage sites in the American Midwest and east of the Mississippi, founded in 1850 by Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.) as a small brick chapel honoring the Sorrowful Mother. Today the Shrine spans about 153 acres of woods and lawns with a historic Sorrowful Mother Chapel, the 1968 outdoor Pieta Chapel, the Stations of the Cross, and around 40–41 devotional grottos, drawing roughly 120,000 pilgrims a year, including many ethnic Catholic communities who gather for annual heritage Sundays. Daily Mass is celebrated in the Shrine Chapel with weekend Masses held in the Outdoor Chapel from May through September, and confessions are heard one hour before each Mass.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Sorrowful Mother)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. James Seibert, C.PP.S. (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Toledo
Why belong here
A visit or commitment to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine offers something most parishes cannot: 153 acres of wooded grounds, 40-plus grottos, the Stations of the Cross, the Lourdes and Sepulcher replicas, and a historic chapel all oriented around one of the oldest Marian pilgrimages in the American Midwest. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood and lay staff offer daily Mass, confession before every Mass, Eucharistic Healing Services, days of recollection, ethnic heritage Sundays (Filipino, Hispanic, Slovenian, Polish, Italian, Chaldean, African-American, and more), and a gift shop and cafeteria serving group pilgrimages — a place to slow down, walk the woods, and encounter Mary as Our Sorrowful Mother alongside thousands of fellow pilgrims each year.
Mass times at Sorrowful Mother Shrine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- One hour before each scheduled Mass (Shrine Chapel)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Healing Services scheduled throughout the year (e.g., 2026 dates: April 19, September 11, December 11), led by Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, C.PP.S.
Welcome & Mission
The Sorrowful Mother Shrine near Bellevue, Ohio is described by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood as 'an inspiring place of prayer where God and nature touch.' Wildflowers and planted flower beds mingle across roughly 153 acres of woods and lawns, with the historic Sorrowful Mother Chapel at its center. Founded in 1850 by Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner, C.PP.S., it has been operated by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.) for its entire history. The Shrine is self-sustaining and relies on donations to continue its mission on these holy grounds.
History of the Shrine
The Shrine was founded in 1850 by Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner, a Swiss-born C.PP.S. missionary who led seven priests and seven brothers from Europe in 1844 at the request of Archbishop John Purcell. A larger second chapel replaced the original 1850 brick chapel in 1870; that chapel burned on August 15, 1912 and was rebuilt by 1914 with new stained glass, ceiling paintings of the Seven Sorrows by Fr. Trost, C.PP.S., and a round-topped bell tower. In 1968 the outdoor Pieta Chapel was added to accommodate growing crowds. The Shrine celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2025 and is one of the oldest Marian pilgrimages in the American Midwest.
- 1850: Original red-brick chapel built by Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner, C.PP.S.
- 1870: Larger second chapel with spire and bells constructed.
- August 15, 1912: Chapel and original German wood-carved Sorrowful Mother statue destroyed by fire on the feast of the Assumption.
- 1914: Chapel rebuilt with stained-glass windows, ceiling paintings of the Seven Sorrows (by Fr. Trost, C.PP.S.), and bell tower.
- 1968: Outdoor Pieta Chapel dedicated to seat up to ~700 pilgrims.
- 2025: 175th anniversary; designated a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site by the Diocese of Toledo.
The Grottos & Outdoor Devotions
Paved walkways wind among tall, colorful trees to about 40–41 grottos and devotional shrines scattered across roughly 120 acres of woodland. Each grotto is dedicated to a saint or a mystery of Christ's or the Blessed Virgin's life; pilgrims may pray at all of them or hold special services at shrines honoring saints to whom they have a personal devotion. Highlights include the Stations of the Cross, replicas of the Lourdes Grotto and the Sepulcher Grotto, the St. Maria Faustina Grotto, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto and adjacent miniature church, the Our Lady of Grace Philippine gazebo, the Mother Teresa Grotto, the Mary Queen of Martyrs Grotto, and shrines to St. Joseph and the Child Jesus, St. Michael the Archangel, St. George, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Padre Pio. The grounds are home to turkeys, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and many varieties of birds.
- Stations of the Cross
- Lourdes Grotto (replica)
- Sepulcher Grotto (replica)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto & miniature church
- Our Lady of Grace Philippine gazebo
- St. Maria Faustina, Secretary of Divine Mercy Grotto
- Mother Teresa Grotto
- Mary Queen of Martyrs Grotto
- Padre Pio shrine; St. Anthony of Padua; St. Michael the Archangel; St. George; St. Joseph & the Child Jesus
- Agony in the Garden shrine
- First World War Memorial crucifix (erected shortly after WWI)
Ethnic Heritage Days
At least twelve ethnic Catholic communities use the Shrine each year for annual heritage pilgrimages. Each group typically celebrates with Mass (often in their native language), a communal meal, and prayerful processions to the grottos honoring their patron saints and Marian titles. Days include Philippine Sunday, Hispanic Sunday, Slovenian Sunday, Polish Sunday, Italian Sunday, African-American Sunday, and Chaldean Day — the latter drawing Eastern-rite Catholics (in full union with Rome) from the Detroit area.
- Philippine Sunday (August)
- Hispanic Sunday (August) — Spanish Mass, processions to Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto
- Slovenia/Slovenian Sunday (August)
- Polish Sunday (September) — Polish Mass, procession to St. Maria Faustina Grotto
- Italian Sunday (September) — Italian Mass, processions to Maria del Grazia and Sorrowful Mother Grottos
- African-American Sunday
- Chaldean Day (July) — Eastern-rite Catholics from Detroit
Healing Services & Retreats
The Shrine offers an annual retreat program and three Eucharistic Healing Services each year, typically led by Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, C.PP.S. The two-hour healing services include prayers for both spiritual and physical healing, and the one-day retreats explore themes such as 'Healing Through the Eucharist.' Registrations are taken through the Shrine office.
- Eucharistic Healing Services (2026 dates: April 19, September 11, December 11)
- One-day retreats (e.g., January 3, 2026 — 'Healing Through the Eucharist')
- Days of Reflection / Days of Recollection for groups
Plan a Pilgrimage
Pilgrims can arrange group visits, private days of reflection, or days of recollection through the Shrine office. The cafeteria is available any day of the week for groups of 15 or more (with a rental fee for groups of 25+); advance reservations are required and walk-in service is not available. The Shrine does not provide overnight accommodations. Visiting priests or deacons — including those from Canada, Mexico, and other countries — must submit a Letter of Suitability to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Toledo before celebrating or concelebrating Mass at the Shrine.
- Group pilgrimages and private days of reflection
- Cafeteria catering for groups of 15+ (advance reservation required)
- Cancellations: notify the Shrine office at 419-483-3435 ext. 103
- Visiting clergy must submit Letter of Suitability to Diocese of Toledo Chancellor
Visiting Hours & Facilities
The Shrine is open year-round from dawn to dusk. The gift shop offers an extensive selection of exclusively religious items and is staffed by a manager, assistant manager, buyer, and clerk. More than a mile of paved walking surfaces makes most of the outdoor Shrine wheelchair-friendly; some narrow, unpaved paths also exist. Visitors are encouraged to bring insect repellent. The Shrine is less than 40 minutes from the shores of Lake Erie.
- Open daily, dawn to dusk, year-round
- Gift shop on site
- Cafeteria for groups (advance reservation required)
- Picnic areas available
- Wheelchair-friendly paved pathways; some narrow unpaved paths
- Overnight lodging not available on site
The Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)
The priests and brothers assigned to the Shrine are members of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.), officially the Society of the Precious Blood, a religious congregation founded in Rome, Italy, in 1815. Fr. Brunner was sent to the United States from this congregation and brought the Society's missionary charism to Ohio's German-speaking Catholics. C.PP.S. members continue to staff the Shrine today, leading Masses, retreats, healing services, and the annual ethnic heritage days.
- Congregation founded in Rome, Italy, in 1815
- C.PP.S. missionaries have operated the Shrine continuously since 1850
- Active clergy include Fr. Patrick Gonyeau, C.PP.S.; Fr. Marco Loth, C.PP.S.; Fr. Scott Kramer, C.PP.S.; Fr. James Seibert, C.PP.S.; and Br. Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.
Shrine Staff & Contact
The Shrine is led by a Rector (a C.PP.S. priest) and a Director of Operations, supported by an office manager, finance manager, administrative assistant, gift shop staff, an archivist/operations manager, and a maintenance and grounds crew. Pilgrims and visitors may contact the Shrine by phone or arrange pilgrimages, retreats, and group meals through the office. Note: the Rector and staff lineup shifts periodically; visitors should consult the official website for current assignments.
- Shrine Rector (C.PP.S.): Fr. James Seibert (per contact page); staff page lists Br. Daryl Charron, C.PP.S. as Rector
- Director of Operations: Marsha Danhoff — option 6
- Office Manager: Shelley Fitzgerald — option 4
- Finance / Accounting Manager: Ron Fluharty (or Bonnie Ball) — option 5
- Administrative Assistant: Chris Molyet — option 3
- Operations Manager/Archivist: Mike Czeczele — option 8
- Gift Shop Manager: Laurie Kaple — option 7
- Gift Shop Assistant Manager: Lisa Doebel
- Gift Shop Clerk: Jackie Filsinger
- Maintenance & Grounds: Tom Werling (Director), with Dennis Alt and Larry Bouillon
- Phone: (419) 483-3435
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner, C.PP.S.1850 (founder)
Swiss-born missionary of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood; led seven priests and seven brothers from Europe in 1844 at Archbishop Purcell's request; built the original 1850 red-brick chapel and laid the foundation for the Shrine's German-Catholic mission in northwest Ohio.