Anthony Jablonoski and his family rest near the Way of the Saints at the House of Mary Shrine. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Jablonoski)
By Casey Bassett
Nestled in the high wooded bluffs along the Missouri River, about six miles west of Yankton, sits 45 acres reserved for pilgrims in need of spiritual refreshment. A dream first conceived of by Ed and Jean English over 55 years ago, the House of Mary Shrine has become a powerful place of spiritual renewal and rest for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Humble beginnings
Kevin Buhl, president of the Board of Directors for the House of Mary Shrine, described the Shrine’s humble beginnings.
“The House of Mary Shrine began as an inspiration from a group of individuals dedicated to Mary, known as the Rosary Makers,” Kevin said. “This group met monthly in a small cabin on property donated by Ed and Jean English. Their mission was to make and distribute rosaries throughout the world. Inspired by their commitment, the group erected three large crosses at the top of the bluff overlooking Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in 1971. Later that year, they envisioned developing a shrine to honor both God and his Blessed Mother. A committee met with Bishop Lambert Hoch, who approved their plans. Following this, they named the site the House of Mary Shrine.”
According to Kevin, the group went on to build the Chapel of St. Joseph in 1978, in which the Blessed Sacrament resides. The shrine also contains a depiction of the empty tomb of Jesus, the Stations of the Cross leading one up the hill to the three large crosses and the empty tomb, a heart-shaped rosary walkway, a veterans memorial, Way of the Saints walkway, several paths for prayer, including a rosary walk that winds through the trees, statues, a museum and a gift shop.
More than just a landmark
South Dakota is home to many exotic curiosity stops, but the House of Mary Shrine is different. Teeming with the beauty of nature and a vibrant day-to-day spiritual life, the shrine serves not as a landmark, but as a haven for encounters with Christ, the Blessed Mother, the saints and God’s beautiful creation.
“St. Joseph Chapel is open daily for quiet prayer, meditation and reflection,” Kevin said. “Masses are celebrated on the third Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m., and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed prior to Mass starting at 7:50 a.m.” In addition to the daily events, Kevin described other events held throughout the year at the shrine, including an Easter Sunrise Service, a patriotic Rosary, a crowning of Mary in May and many more.
The impact these events and the shrine have is felt immediately for those who visit. Anthony Jablonoski, parishioner at St. Benedict Parish in Yankton, and his family are frequent visitors to the shrine.
“The shrine is great for families,” Anthony said. “The kids can explore freely while passing by statues of saints, pondering the Stations of the Cross, praying a Rosary walk, and reading stories of Mary—all surrounded by the beauty of nature.”
The toll of time
Those who have lived in South Dakota long enough know that the prairie climate can be inhospitable to outright savage. Over its 55 years of existence, the shrine has been dealt the full force of prairie winds and weather. As a result, it has been in desperate need of an overhaul in recent years.
“The heart-shaped rosary pond, built in 1975 just south of St. Joseph Chapel, had been leaking for several years,” Kevin said. “The surrounding rock and mortar retaining wall also began to deteriorate. Despite several attempts to repair the persistent leaks—including applying a new epoxy coating and later a new liner—as well as efforts to address the deteriorating stonework and narrow sidewalk around the pond, it became clear to the board of directors that a more permanent solution was needed.”
The board of directors put a plan into action that included not only revitalization of the rosary pond, but also installing a new rosary walkway and new landscaping throughout the shrine. These improvements represent phase one of the revitalization.
Phases two and three of the revitalization involve repairs to other water features, walkways, nameplate replacement, improvements to the St. Joseph Chapel, bell tower improvements, sidewalk and parking lot renovations and installing a new sound system for the chapel.
“The vision for the renovations is to enhance the beauty of this prominent Marian Shrine in South Dakota with complementary outdoor features,” Kevin said. “These improvements will create a more inviting and peaceful environment for visitors, encouraging reflection and prayer. These features will also retain their beauty for decades and require minimal maintenance and ensure that the shrine remains a sacred destination for pilgrims and visitors for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Generosity – past and future
At the heart of the shrine is generosity. One might assume that the beautiful sprawling acres are financially backed and maintained by official entities. Yet, the House of Mary Shrine receives no financial support from the St. Martin of Tours Pastorate or the diocese.
“The shrine has been maintained through the dedicated work of volunteers who contribute both labor and gifts, as well as generous monetary and non-monetary donations, such as land, Stations of the Cross, a tabernacle and statues,” said Kevin.
What’s truly special is that the generosity of those donors and volunteers is returned by those who find spiritual healing and renewal at the Shrine.
“The House of Mary Shrine for us is a hidden gem, a continued blessing, and a pilgrimage in our own backyard,” Anthony said. “It’s an incredible treasure in the diocese, and we always try to make a visit when we have family or friends in town, especially when the weather is nice in the spring or summer.”
The next time you find yourself in need of a pilgrimage or in the Yankton area, consider a visit to the House of Mary Shrine. It will be an experience you won’t soon forget.
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Here’s a taste of what you’ll find at the House of Mary Shrine
- The Stations of the Cross, including the empty tomb of Jesus
- Rosary Way, a 15-decade rosary winding through the trees
- Holy Innocents Garden
- Way of the Saints, a walkway with 76 pillars for individual saints
- Veteran’s Memorial
- Statues and serinettes
- Museum and gift shop
Interested in supporting the House of Mary Shrine? Email thehouseofmaryshrine@gmail.com or call 605-668-0121 for more information. Visit houseofmaryshrine.org to learn more about the shrine.
