Holy Grounds
The goal of every shrine is to bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are invited to explore these holy grounds to pray and meditate on the gracious love and goodness of God.
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Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”. Francis
Shrine Chapel
The corner stone of Shrine Chapel was placed 85 years ago in 1938. The chapel is constructed of beach stone, gathered by volunteers, from around Shrine Island. Fr. William LeVasseur, a Jesuit priest from New Brunswick, Canada had the idea and vision to create a retreat center in Alaska. Bishop Joseph Raphael Crimont, S.J., the first bishop of Alaska, gave his consent and blessing to the establishment of the Shrine of St. Therese.
Stations of the Cross
The stone structures sheltering scenes of Christ's final hours of human life are a Catholic devotional practice called the Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross). Each of the Stations depicts a scene of Christ's passion and death. The Station rock structures were built about 1940.
Good Shepherd Rosary Trail
Located just across Shrine Creek is a walking path called the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail which is wheelchair navigable. This path begins with a bronze plaque of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who reaches out and cares especially for those who are less fortunate in the “eyes of the world”.
Pieta Statue
At the end of the Good Shepherd Rosary Trail is a replica of Michelangelo's famous statue "The Pieta." The statue depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary cradling in her arms the body of her beloved son, Jesus, after he was removed from the Cross.
Blessed Mother, pray for us!
Merciful Love Labyrinth
The Merciful Love Labyrinth was constructed in the spring of 2001. Just as the Chapel builders had done in the 1930's to provide rocks for the Shrine Chapel as a labor of love, volunteers of all ages carried stones from the beach nearby for constructing the Merciful Love Labyrinth.
Shrine Causeway
The National Shrine causeway, limited to foot traffic, provides access to Shrine Island. The original causeway, set in place before the Chapel was constructed, was built with logs, rocks and fill. The body of water north of the causeway is called Pearl Harbor, and it opens up to the Inside Passage waterway known as Lynn Canal. On clear days, the craggy, snow-covered Chilkat Mountains can be seen in the distance.
Gift Shop
The Shrine Gift Shop is located in the LeVasseur Cabin, named after the man who first envisioned this Shrine and was instrumental in promoting it, Fr. William G. LeVasseur, S.J. The Gift Shop is stocked with numerous Catholic sacramentals, including medals, rosaries, books, crosses and special items relating to St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Shrine Support Facility
The new Shrine Support Facility was completed in the fall of 2022. It houses:
- Shrine office
- Caretaker apartment
- Laundry
- Priest apartment
