100 Years of Conventual Franciscan Ministry
at Our Lady of Consolation

2012 marks the 100th year of ministry of the Conventual Franciscans at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey.  Father Aloys Fish, of the Immaculate Conception Province, was the first friar, to arrive in Carey on June 1, 1912 at the invitation of Toledo’s first bishop, Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs. 

The friars in Carey will be marking this anniversary with two special events:
On Friday May 25, 2012, the Feast of Our Lady of Consolation, Bishop Leonard Blair will celebrate a Mass at 7:00 p.m. in the Basilica.  Reception to follow.

On September 23, 2012, the Minister General of the Conventual Franciscan Order from Rome, Friar Marco Tasca, and all the Assistant Generals of the Order from around the world will be in Carey.  The Minister General will celebrate the 12:00 noon mass at the Basilica and preside at the 2:30 p.m. shrine devotions. 

Please SAVE THESE DATES and spread the word so that you can join us in giving thanks for this century of Conventual Franciscan presence and ministry.  

I am appealing to you for your help with tremendous gratitude....

 

The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation is a place of great peace where pilgrims can pray and pay homage to the Blessed Mother.

Across the street from the Basilica stands the original Shrine Church. Construction on this, the first church in Carey, began in 1868 under the direction of Father Edward Vatmann, pastor of St. Michael’s in Findlay, Ohio.

Once the church building was completed enough for its dedication, it was given the name of St. Edward. Care of the little church was given to Father Joseph Peter Gloden, pastor of the church of St. Nicholas, Frenchtown.

Father Joseph encouraged the faithful in Carey to complete the construction and asked them to direct their prayers to Mary, the Mother of God, under the title of Our Lady of Consolation, the patroness of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Father Joseph and the congregation promised to re-name the church in honor of Our Lady of Consolation upon its completion. As a means to support their devotion, Father Joseph procured a replica of the statue of Our Lady of Consolation which has always been revered in the Cathedral of Luxembourg.

On May 24, 1875, the statue of Our Lady of Consolation was carried in procession from the church of St. Nicholas to the church in Carey. It was during this procession that the first sign of the special intercession of the Blessed Virgin for all who were to pray in this little church was revealed. As the procession marched, a severe storm raged in the entire area. Though the faithful could see the rain pouring down on all sides of them for the entire seven-mile walk, not a drop touched the statue of Our Lady of Consolation nor anyone in the procession.

This memorable church, the place of so many favors granted through Mary, remains today not only as a relic of the past, but as a place of prayer and worship. Members of Our Lady of Consolation parish gather there for early morning Mass, and many groups celebrate the goodness of God with special programs and devotions within its walls.

Please click the link below to view the candle light procession on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption, August 14, 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/kr7DcduLlLE