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Marytown carries out call of St. Francis
Marytown, which was built in in the late 40's, houses chapels, a retreat center, the National Shire to St. Maximilian Kolbe and even a Holocaust Museum. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 13, 2012 10:49AM
Marytown, located on Illinois 176 in Libertyville, is the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe as decreed by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The grounds include a Franciscan Friary, a contemporary Retreat and Conference Center, the Marytown Press - Catholic Books and Gift Store, four Chapels, and outdoor shrines and rosary garden. The National Shrine includes the Shrine Chapel, an educational Holocaust exhibit, and relics of St. Maximilian.
Marytown is a Conventual Franciscan Friary carrying out the call of our father St. Francis to “heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have their way, “ says Doug O’Brien, Senior Director of External Relations for Marytown. O’Brien continued “the friars are deeply committed to the Holy Father’s call for the New Evangelization, believing that the fullness of Maryrtown’s ministries and the charism of St. Francis and St. Maximilian are rightly suited to this important cause to strengthen the faithful, to reach out to those that have fallen away from the faith, and to proclaim the Gospel to those who have no contextual faith experience.”
At the very heart of Marytown is Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, considered one of the most beautiful pilgrimage sites in the nation. Built under the direction of Cardinal Mundelein, the Chapel has been a sanctuary of perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament since 1928. The Chapel is to adoration, we offer twice daily masses and four times daily we celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours withthe public. Marytown is not a Catholic parish and does not function as one. Rather, Marytown serves the spiritual needs of a broad community of people hailing from many parishes throughout the Archdiocese, and throughout the nation, through our Adoration ministry, daily masses, frequent confession times, spiritual direction and retreats.
