Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Merrillville, in USA - Salvatorians

09/15/2026

15 SEPTEMBER OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Today the Church remembers Our Lady of Sorrows
Mary, the mother who stood at the foot of the Cross and remained close to her Son when there was nothing she could do to take His suffering away.

Perhaps that is why this feast speaks so deeply to anyone who has ever loved someone and felt helpless.

Today we remember especially parents worried about their children,
those waiting for news,
those watching a child struggle,
those lying awake at night wondering what more they can do.

We remember those caring for someone who is ill,
those facing difficult days themselves,
and those grieving someone they would give anything to hold once more.

Mary knew what it was to have a heart filled with sorrow.
She also knew how to remain faithful when she could not understand what was happening.

Our Lady of Sorrows,
stay close to those whose hearts are heavy today.
Comfort those who grieve,
strengthen those facing illness,
and wrap your mantle around every parent
worried about their child.
When there is nothing more we can do,
help us to place those we love into the hands of your Son.

And for anyone carrying a quiet sorrow today, may you know that Our Lady understands a breaking heart.

May she stay close to you, and gently lead you to Jesus.

09/15/2026

Thanks to Agnes S., Monica P., and Katie K. for submitting their photos from this past Saturday's bicycle pilgrimage!

We still need a lot more photos for our website and page! Please send them through our Facebook Messenger or email to [email protected]. Does anyone have photos from the Holy Mass?

09/14/2026

Happy Founder's Day anniversary to our neighbors at Andrean High School!

09/14/2026

Happy Birthday, Pope Leo XIV! 🙏

Today, the Holy Father celebrates his 71st birthday.

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago on September 14, 1955, Pope Leo XIV made history as the first American pope and the first Augustinian to lead the Catholic Church.

May God grant the Holy Father wisdom, strength, and grace as he continues to shepherd the Church.

09/14/2026

September 14th - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

"We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, for by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world"

*This lovingly-restored crucifix has a beautiful new spiritual home at the shrine. It once belonged to the now-closed St. Hedwig Church in Gary, Indiana, where the Salvatorian Fathers ministered to the parish for many years

09/14/2026

Thanks to all who participated in the XIII Polish Bicycle Pilgrimage this past Saturday!

We are in need of photos from the bicycle pilgrimage for the shrine's website and page! You are welcome to share them through Facebook Messenger or email to [email protected]...thank you and GOD BLESS YOU!

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

Attendees at today's fourth annual pilgrimage of the Zwiazek Slazakow Chicago Union of Upper Silesians were treated to special performances by the Wesoly Lud Folk Dance Company of PRCUA and singer/musician/YouTuber Pawel Kobierski in Millennium Hall!

09/13/2026

Our heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of beautiful weather and to the Zwiazek Slazakow Chicago Union of Upper Silesians (led by Piotr Brzek) and all who attended the organization's fourth annual pilgrimage at the shrine today!

GOD BLESS YOU!

09/12/2026

COME JOIN US!
Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine
(The Salvatorians)
5755 Pennsylvania St. - Merrillville, IN
219-884-0714



Sunday, Sept. 13th
*Holy Mass (in English) at 9 am (in the monastery chapel)
*Holy Mass (in Polish) at 10:30 am (in the church)
*Holy Mass (in Polish) at 12 pm (in the church)

*A Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated by clergy from the St. Joseph Oratory Institute of Christ the King at 8 am every Sunday in the church; for more information, visit "St Joseph's Oratory at Our Lady of Czestochowa"



SPECIAL EVENT!

The Zwiazek Slazakow Chicago Union of Upper Silesians invites everyone to its fourth Pilgrimage on Sunday, Sept 13th.

Holy Mass (in Polish) at 12:00 PM, followed by a procession to the Silesian Chapel, lunch (menu items and prices vary), music, a performance by the "Wesoly Lud" Polish folk dance troupe, and fellowship.

Come see the lovely updates to the Silesian Chapel of Our Lady of Piekarska, Mother of Love and Social Justice, which was consecrated in 2023 and is located inside of the Fatima Chapel on the shrine grounds!

DID YOU KNOW? Fr. Irek Bem, the superior of the Merrillville Salvatorians, is a native of Wodzisław Śląski, which is in the Silesian region of Poland. His father was a coal miner.