Melrose Park
Illinois
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Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
History:
Mrs. Emmanuella DeStefano, as all other natives from the Italian village of Laurenzana, Provincia Potenza, was trained from birth to bring one's troubles to the feet of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, who has been venerated in that town for centuries.
In fear that her husband was about to die, Mrs. DeStefano promised the Blessed Mother that if he survived, she would establish a feast in honor of the La Madonna del Carmine. Her favor was granted and in gratitude, she solicited funds to which she added a substantial amount of her own and contacted the Neapolitan artist, Raffaele della Campa, to send her a replica of the famous statue. The Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child and offering the Scapular to the world.
In July of 1894, the first Festa della Madonna, in fulfillment of Mrs. DeStefano's promise, was celebrated in Melrose Park by Fr. Thomas Moreschini, a Servite priest stationed at Assumption Church in Chicago. It was held on her farm near 25th and North Avenue. Mrs. DeStefano then purchased two lots located on 24th Avenue, north of Lake Street and the first shrine was built. Hundreds of Italians from the Chicago land area flocked to the new shrine to celebrate their devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on her feast day by participating in a procession in her honor.
By 1901, The Bishop of Chicago ordered the Society to turn the chapel over to the Catholic Bishop of Chicago. Because they were unable to get a full time priest at the shrine, Mrs. DeStefano threatened to take the statue out of the chapel. When she arrived to remove the statue, the church bell mysteriously rang and people in the village came running to the chapel. Suddenly a storm came over and dispersed the crowd. Believed to be an intercession by the Blessed Mother, in an attempt to stay in the chapel, Mrs. DeStefano then turned the statue over to the Catholic Bishop.
By 1903, the Archdiocese of Chicago, recognizing the rapidly expanding presence of Italian immigrants in Melrose Park, sent a full time Servite priest, Fr. Antonio Pettillo, who left two year later. He felt it was impossible to move forward with a lack of funds.
In 1905, the Pious Society of St. Charles, formed in Italy, to aid Italian emigrants, was given the responsibility of serving the Italian community in Melrose Park. Fr. Benjamin Franch was assigned to perform Sunday masses and as time passed, became established as pastor. By 1906, the small church was relocated to its present location on 23rd avenue. In 1914, a parochial school and convent were added. Fr. Franch established the parish and stayed on as pastor until his death. During his 49 years of service to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Fr. Franch built and maintained a constant growing devotion in the hearts of Italians from all over the area, and his name will be remembered as long as the parish exists.
Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel still remains under the Scalabrini order and it's pastors have continued the devotion to Our Lady and her Feast set forth by Father Franch.
On July 16, 2006, Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, auxiliary bishop of Chicago announced that Cardinal Francis George designated Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La Madonna del Carmine, a Diocesan Shrine.
A formal dedication ceremony was held on November 10, 2006. The Most Rev. Thomas Paprocki and Fr. Claudio Holzer, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated a solemn mass followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting and blessing of the Shrine.
Mrs. Emmanuella DeStefano, as all other natives from the Italian village of Laurenzana, Provincia Potenza, was trained from birth to bring one's troubles to the feet of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, who has been venerated in that town for centuries.
In fear that her husband was about to die, Mrs. DeStefano promised the Blessed Mother that if he survived, she would establish a feast in honor of the La Madonna del Carmine. Her favor was granted and in gratitude, she solicited funds to which she added a substantial amount of her own and contacted the Neapolitan artist, Raffaele della Campa, to send her a replica of the famous statue. The Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child and offering the Scapular to the world.
In July of 1894, the first Festa della Madonna, in fulfillment of Mrs. DeStefano's promise, was celebrated in Melrose Park by Fr. Thomas Moreschini, a Servite priest stationed at Assumption Church in Chicago. It was held on her farm near 25th and North Avenue. Mrs. DeStefano then purchased two lots located on 24th Avenue, north of Lake Street and the first shrine was built. Hundreds of Italians from the Chicago land area flocked to the new shrine to celebrate their devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on her feast day by participating in a procession in her honor.
By 1901, The Bishop of Chicago ordered the Society to turn the chapel over to the Catholic Bishop of Chicago. Because they were unable to get a full time priest at the shrine, Mrs. DeStefano threatened to take the statue out of the chapel. When she arrived to remove the statue, the church bell mysteriously rang and people in the village came running to the chapel. Suddenly a storm came over and dispersed the crowd. Believed to be an intercession by the Blessed Mother, in an attempt to stay in the chapel, Mrs. DeStefano then turned the statue over to the Catholic Bishop.
By 1903, the Archdiocese of Chicago, recognizing the rapidly expanding presence of Italian immigrants in Melrose Park, sent a full time Servite priest, Fr. Antonio Pettillo, who left two year later. He felt it was impossible to move forward with a lack of funds.
In 1905, the Pious Society of St. Charles, formed in Italy, to aid Italian emigrants, was given the responsibility of serving the Italian community in Melrose Park. Fr. Benjamin Franch was assigned to perform Sunday masses and as time passed, became established as pastor. By 1906, the small church was relocated to its present location on 23rd avenue. In 1914, a parochial school and convent were added. Fr. Franch established the parish and stayed on as pastor until his death. During his 49 years of service to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Fr. Franch built and maintained a constant growing devotion in the hearts of Italians from all over the area, and his name will be remembered as long as the parish exists.
Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel still remains under the Scalabrini order and it's pastors have continued the devotion to Our Lady and her Feast set forth by Father Franch.
On July 16, 2006, Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, auxiliary bishop of Chicago announced that Cardinal Francis George designated Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La Madonna del Carmine, a Diocesan Shrine.
A formal dedication ceremony was held on November 10, 2006. The Most Rev. Thomas Paprocki and Fr. Claudio Holzer, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated a solemn mass followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting and blessing of the Shrine.