National Shrine of St. Thérèse, Juneau

The National Shrine of St. Thérèse overlooks the Lynn Canal in Juneau, Alaska, US. Situated on 46 acres, the site contains a stone chapel, crypt, labyrinth, columbarium, lodge, cabin, and retreat.[1]

National Shrine of St. Thérèse
Location21425 Glacier Hwy
Juneau, Alaska 99801
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusNational Shrine
Founded1932
Founder(s)Bishop Crimont, S.J.
Father LeVasseur, S.J.
Consecrated1941
Administration
ParishSt. Paul the Apostle
ArchdioceseAnchorage-Juneau
Clergy
Priest(s)Fr. Michael Galbraith
Laity
Business managerJoseph C. Sehnert

History
The grounds

In 1925, St. Thérèse of Lisieux was named the patroness of Alaska. In the 1930s, the Jesuit priest, Father William LeVasseur came up with the idea of a retreat center in her name. Bishop Joseph Raphael John Crimont provided support for its establishment, buying federal land.[2] Thousands of stones were used to construct the chapel and other structures, which were gathered by volunteers.[3] The first mass was held in 1941.[1] In 1945, Bishop Crimont died and was buried at the shrine's crypt.[4]

In 1953, Bishop Robert Dermot O'Flanagan started The League of the Little Flower to help make the shrine self-sufficient.[4] The shrine fell into disrepair and stopped holding retreats in the 1960s but underwent renovation under the leadership of Fr. James Manske from 1968–69.[4] For financial reasons, the shrine was forced to close in 1985 but reopened the following year after 25 locals came together to save the shrine.[4]

In 1998, the columbarium was built and is open to all Christians who want their cremains placed at the shrine.[5] In 2000, a new cabin was built to commemorate the Great Jubilee, and in 2001, the Merciful Love Labyrinth was built.[4]

On October 1, 2016, Bishop Edward J. Burns announced that the Shrine of St. Thérèse had been raised to the status of national shrine.[6]

References
  1. Regalbuto, Robert J. (5 July 2010). Monastery Guest Houses of North America: A Visitor's Guide (Fifth Edition). Countryman Press. ISBN 978-1-58157-663-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Kelly, Marcia; Kelly, Jack (1998). The Whole Heaven Catalog: A Resource Guide to Products, Services, Arts, Crafts, and Festivals of Religious, Spiritual, and Cooperative Communities. Bell Tower/One Spirit. ISBN 978-0-609-80120-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Devaughn, Melissa; Vanasse, Deb (February 2008). Alaska: A Guide to Unique Places. Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 978-0-7627-4534-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. "History of the Shrine". National Shrine of St. Thérèse. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  5. "Columbarium". Shrine of St. Thérèse. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  6. "Shrine of St. Therese Raised to National Shrine Status". Diocese of Juneau. October 1, 2016.


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