Ohio is home to the most beautiful Catholic Churches including Monasteries, Cathedrals, Shrines, Basilicas, and other spiritual sites in the United States. The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is one of these. It is among the most visited Marian Shrines in Ohio. This holy site is a pilgrim favorite because of its spiritual significance. In this blog post, we will give you a travel guide to have a fruitful visit.
Quick Background
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation Shrine is a Byzantine-style Basilica situated in the small town of Carey in northwest Ohio. Finished in 1924, it is one of the five Roman Catholic Basilicas in Ohio. It is under the care of Conventual Franciscan Friars. It features a Basilica, a Museum, Shrine Park, and a Gift shop. On the Shrine Altar is the original statue of Our Lady of Consolation that was processed seven (7) miles through a storm in 1875 and did not get wet. One of the reasons why some people are flocking to this religious site is because of the reported and recorded cures attributed to the Shrine.
Location
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is located at 315 Clay Street, Carey, Ohio, USA. It is between Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit which are accessible by highways.
Here’s a map for the direction.
Hours of Operation
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation’s door is open 24/7. However, the office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Gift shop is open from Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2: PM. The Shrine Park walk-in gate is open.
Just a note, the Basilica may be closed for special events or services. To avoid conflict, you can check their official website and contact no. as follows to confirm hours of operation.
Website: olcshrine.com
Contact: (419) 396-7107
Travel Tips
Now let’s proceed to some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Dress Appropriately
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is a religious and holy site so the visitors should dress modestly. Kindly avoid wearing shorts, and tank tops. Covering shoulders is also a must. Since there are areas to explore, it is also advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Take a Guided Tour
Visiting the site and touring on your own is possible but if you are in a group the Shrine can arrange a group pilgrimage. It conveniently provides tons of information about the history, architecture, and religious significance of the Basilica as a whole. You don’t have to discover everything all by yourself.
You can check here for a Group Pilgrimage Reservation.
Attend Mass
This tip is actually a no-brainer. Holy Mass is our greatest form of worship. The Basilica is a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics and what could be a better way to experience the spiritual significance of the Shrine than to attend Mass?
To help you organize your time, here’s the daily Mass schedule.
Weekend Mass: Saturday- 5 PM and Sunday- 9 and 11 AM
Daily Mass: Monday through Saturday- 11 AM, Tuesday through Friday- 7 AM
For schedule changes, you can check their website.
Tour around the Museum
On the lower level of the Basilica lies the Museum. There, you can read a lot about the Shrine’s history. Additionally, it houses different religious artifacts and artworks. It is full of numerous relics and statues. There are also impressive displays of testimonials including photos, crutches, braces, and handwritten letters of individuals over the years that have attributed their healings to have occurred because of their prayers and devotions at the Shrine. This is a place you should not miss when you visit the Basilica. It is just inspiring.
Walk in the Shrine Park
Another place that you should wander around is the Basilica’s, Shrine Park. The place is open year-round for everyone. The ambiance is just serene and quiet making it a perfect place to pray and contemplate. To add, there are also Stations of the Cross where you can meditate. From the Basilica, it is the destination point during the candlelit procession every Feast of the Assumption.
Visit the Gift Shop
Your visit is incomplete without dropping by their gift shop. The shop offers a variety of religious items, such as rosaries, books, apparel, jewelry, and other artworks. You can buy any of these items as a souvenir for your Shrine experience.
Respect the Site
Lastly, since this is a religious site, visitors must be respectful while on the premises of the Basilica and Shrine. As much as possible, be quiet and refrain from taking photos during Mass or other religious services. Maintaining the peacefulness of this sanctuary is a collective effort.
Best Time to Visit
It is always the best time to visit religious sites and honor God. So all year round, you can freely tour this sacred space. However, just a note that thousands of pilgrims flock every August 14 leading to August 15, the Feast of the Assumption. If you plan to join this major event, make sure to pack the basics.
Conclusion
Overall, a visit to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is a life-changing experience. As pilgrims here on earth, we should consider touring holy places like this to have a faith renewal, and reconnect with the Lord through His works on these sites.
This Basilica and Shrine is a wondrous place where God resides. Here, we can see and feel Him. May be living witnesses of His love for mankind.
Have a fruitful journey!
