“Francis, go and rebuild my church which, as you see, is falling down.”
Christendom students have taken Jesus’ words to St. Francis to heart as they begin construction on a new shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes on campus. The St. Francis Builders, a group of male students leading the year-long effort, are responding to that call in two ways: by creating a beautiful piece of sacred architecture for the glory of God and Our Lady, and by embracing the Benedictine tradition of prayer and manual labor during the shrine’s construction.
Senior Andre Morales, spearheading the project alongside fellow senior Joseph Olbrych, was inspired to add further beauty to campus after studying abroad in Rome with classmates. The new shrine’s design will incorporate architectural elements from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, featuring triple arches topped by a spire and encircling colonnades reminiscent of St. Peter’s Square. A central altar will host Masses, Eucharistic processions, and adoration, with additional processions planned on Marian feast days.
Senior Andre Morales ’26.
“We are inspired to create a new beautiful work of sacred architecture for the glory of God and to bring ourselves and others closer to Him,” the Builders’ mission statement reads. “This shrine will provide a space away from the main campus where students can contemplate and pray in the silence and beauty of nature. When completed, it will also provide a spot for the highest form of leisure—divine worship.”
In addition to being a site of prayer, the Builders hope the shrine — which will be located behind the college’s St. Lawrence Commons — will promote the message of Our Lady to St. Bernadette and foster greater devotion to the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. They see their work as part of the National Eucharistic Revival, using sacred art to “teach, delight, and move” visitors toward a deeper understanding of Our Lord’s loving presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Construction is taking place weekly on the shrine, carried out by students following the Benedictine rhythm of prayer and work, as outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict.
Another concept drawing of the Our Lady of Lourdes shrine.
“It is my hope and prayer that the shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes will be another home for Our Lady to dwell on campus,” says Morales. “It will be an honor to construct a new home for Mary, Our Mother of Mercy, who has worked so many wonders for my family and me. It excites me knowing that she waits with open arms to pour forth her blessings upon each and every soul in the world and in this community.”
The shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes is the Class of 2025 Senior Gift, with additional funding being raised through the sale of pavers and benches engraved with the names and intentions of donors.
For more information or to support the project, please contact Andre Morales at andre.morales@christendom.edu.
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.