In 1958, Father Edwin Guild had a vision. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate priest dreamed of creating a pilgrimage center that would bring the healing atmosphere of Lourdes to the American heartland. On 200 acres of Illinois farmland near Belleville, he began to build what would become the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows—today the largest outdoor shrine in North America, welcoming over a million visitors annually.
The shrine's unusual name comes from an ancient Roman tradition. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to a wealthy Roman couple on August 5, 358 AD, instructing them to build a church on the Esquiline Hill where they would find snow fallen during the summer heat. Pope Liberius found the miraculous snow and traced the outline of what would become the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The Oblates brought this Marian title to America, dedicating their shrine to Our Lady of the Snows.
What Father Guild began has grown into a vast complex of devotional spaces, retreat facilities, and sacred art spread across the rolling Illinois landscape. The Main Shrine features a replica of the Lourdes grotto; the Way of the Cross winds through the woods; the Annunciation Garden glows with thousands of lights during the Christmas season. For Midwestern Catholics—and increasingly for pilgrims from across the nation—Our Lady of the Snows offers a place of encounter with the sacred just off Interstate 64.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate founded the shrine in 1958, purchasing farmland east of Belleville, Illinois, in the Metro-East region of St. Louis. Father Edwin Guild, O.M.I., served as the founding director and guided the shrine's development for decades.
The Main Shrine, completed in the 1960s, features an open-air church beneath a soaring canopy and a replica of the Lourdes grotto. The design allows pilgrims to gather for Mass while maintaining the outdoor atmosphere that connects visitors to nature and to God.
Over the decades, the shrine has expanded to include dozens of devotional spaces: the Millennium Spire marking the Year 2000, the Memorial Wall honoring the deceased, the Mother's Prayer Walk, and numerous gardens and meditation areas. The Christmas "Way of Lights" display, featuring over a million lights, draws 200,000 visitors annually.
The Oblates maintain the shrine as a center for retreats, spiritual direction, and the sacraments. Multiple Masses are offered daily, and the sacrament of Reconciliation is available throughout the week.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Belleville
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
The largest outdoor shrine in North America
The Main Shrine complex includes the open-air Shrine Church with its distinctive canopy roof, the Lourdes Grotto replica, and the outdoor altar where Masses draw thousands on major feast days. The atmosphere intentionally evokes Lourdes, with the grotto serving as a focal point for Marian devotion.
Way of the Cross
A wooded path with life-size Stations of the Cross winds through the shrine grounds, offering pilgrims space for meditative prayer on Christ's Passion.
Annunciation Garden
This beautiful garden features the Millennium Spire and seasonal displays, including the famous Christmas "Way of Lights."
Church of Our Lady of the Snows
The indoor chapel serves daily Mass and provides a climate-controlled space for prayer and adoration year-round.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Feast of Our Lady of the Snows — August 5
Solemn celebration of the shrine's patronal feast with outdoor Mass at the Main Shrine.
Assumption of Mary — August 15
Major pilgrimage day with multiple Masses and processions.
Way of Lights — November-December
Annual Christmas light display drawing hundreds of thousands to drive through millions of lights depicting the Christmas story.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Shrine Guesthouse at Our Lady of the Snows (pilgrim accommodation) — The shrine's own lodging, on the grounds themselves: fifty-two rooms for people staying overnight on retreat, with a lounge and hospitality area, and the Visitor's Center chapel and dining room across from it. Booked directly with the shrine. Website
Super 8 by Wyndham Belleville St. Louis Area (hotel) — The nearest ordinary hotel to the shrine, 11 km away, with plain air-conditioned rooms and free WiFi. Reserve this hotel
Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis/O'Fallon, IL (hotel) — In O'Fallon, 14 km from the shrine, with a hot breakfast, an indoor-outdoor pool and a hot tub. Reserve this hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Collinsville/St.Louis (hotel) — A full-service hotel in Collinsville, 15 km from the shrine, with a restaurant, a bar and an indoor pool. Reserve this hotel
Accommodation available to book near Belleville. Pilgrim houses and religious guesthouses are listed above — many take bookings directly and do not appear on booking sites.
🚗 Getting There
By Air: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is 20 miles west.
By Car: The shrine is located off I-64, Exit 15 (IL Route 157). From St. Louis, take I-64 east.
Local Transport: The St. Louis MetroLink serves Belleville; taxi or rideshare required for the final miles.
📚 Further Reading
Online Resources:
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows — History, events, pilgrimage planning.
🔗 Useful Links
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows — Mass schedule, retreats, Way of Lights.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate — Information on the religious order.
Diocese of Belleville — Diocesan resources.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
St. Louis, Missouri (25 km west) — Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis with stunning mosaics.
Quincy, Illinois (200 km north) — Shrine of St. Rose of Lima.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
