Shrines were recently erected at two churches in the diocese with a third set to be established later this month. Bishop Earl Fernandes designated the diocesan shrines of Divine Mercy at Columbus St. Christopher Church and St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) at Columbus St. John the Baptist Church and will erect a Sacred Heart shrine at Columbus Sacred Heart Church.
The Divine Mercy shrine was erected on Oct. 5, the feast of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland, who received Divine Mercy apparitions. St. Christopher is entrusted to the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers), native to Poland, and offers Masses in English and Polish.
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“The message of Divine Mercy is especially important today,” said Father Michal Wojciak, pastor. “Many people carry deep wounds, fear, loneliness and even despair. We have seen a growing hunger for God’s mercy in our parish.
“Just three years ago, there were days when very few people came to confession. Today, many come, especially young people. The same is true of Eucharistic Adoration. We pray that the Shrine of Divine Mercy at St. Christopher will become a place where many people encounter the merciful Jesus and discover His peace and hope.”
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The faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence by praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy before the Blessed Sacrament, while exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, per a decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.
The parish recently received relics from Poland of Blessed Father Michal Sopocko, St. Faustina’s spiritual director and confessor. Beginning Oct. 22, the shrine will offer additional opportunities for confession and Eucharistic Adoration in the evenings.
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The St. Pius of Pietrelcina shrine was erected on Sept. 23, the Italian saint (1887-1968)’s feast day. St. John the Baptist Church, located in Columbus’ Italian Village neighborhood, has served the faithful of Italian heritage for years. The Chapel of St. Pio was established at the church after it received a first-class relic of Padre Pio earlier this year.
“The stigmata (wounds of Christ) Padre Pio carried for the last 50 years of his life and his constant push to ‘pray, hope and don’t worry’ is a model of Christ that all should seek to strive in their lives, and I hope everyone in the diocese will come to St. John’s to ask for his intercession,” said Father Vince Nguyen, pastor at St. John the Baptist.
A shrine at Sacred Heart Church will be erected Oct. 16, the feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), a religious sister of the Order of the Visitation, who received apparitions of Christ’s Sacred Heart. The church’s sanctuary and windows were recently restored, marking its artistic significance and sacred place of importance.
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“I am hoping that the shrine will be a loving place for all the faithful of the diocese dedicated to honoring the boundless love and mercy of Christ made visible in His Sacred Heart,” said Father Nguyen, who also serves as pastor at Sacred Heart.
The faithful are encouraged to make frequent pilgrimages to the shrines for prayer and devotion.