Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas & New Year’s Day. (Outdoor light display will remain open.)
Wintertime sparkles at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows as the Annual Way of Lights Christmas display illuminates the grounds. Since 1970, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have invited one and all to make the Way of Lights a part of their family tradition. This breathtaking display focuses on the birth of Christ, the one true light of the world.
Donations are accepted to help us continue bringing this family tradition to our community each year.
This page gets updated regularly during the Way of Lights season. Check back for updates.
Activities in the Visitor Center
Christmas Trees
10+ professionally decorated trees with the
Songs of Christmas Theme
Open 12 Noon – 9 pm Daily Goes Here
LEGO® Brick Display
LEGO® display will open Monday, November 25 at 5:00 pm
Gateway Lego Users Group is a group of adults who enjoy building with LEGO® brand building blocks.
This group has a huge display planned including their largest city ever. There is something for everyone to look, see and marvel at their creativity.
$5.00 per person (3 and under free)
Community Performances
Come enjoy the live performances by area bands, choirs, vocalists, dancers, and puppeteers!
Performance Schedule Here
To register your group’s appearance.
Click Here
Quilt Raffle
Homemade Queen Size Quilt, created by Patricia Brandmeyer, Albers, IL
Raffle Tickets available at Shrine Gift Shop during Way of Lights
$5 a Chance
Call 618-394-6230 or come in person to purchase your raffle ticket
Raffle Ends
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Drawing
Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Shrine Gift Shop
Visit the Shrine Gift Shop for the dated Way of Lights commemorative ornament.
Available only in the store, while supplies last.
OPEN 10 am to 9 pm during the Way of Lights
Exhibit
“Arctic Wings and a Shrine,” a multi-room exhibit focusing on the ministries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, especially in the Arctic regions of Canada.
The devotion to Our Lady of the Snows was brought to Belleville in the late 1930s by former Arctic missionary, Fr. Paul Schulte, O.M.I.
Open 8 am – 9 pm
Prior to COVID, there were more than 368,000 people living in the Foodbank’s 26-county service territory (14 in Missouri and 12 in Illinois) in need of food assistance. Mounting job losses, furloughs, and kids being out of school for extended periods of time have caused the number of people going hungry in our community to rise. Many are seeking food assistance for the first time. The Foodbank has distributed 43% more food this year compared to the same time period last year. Since the middle of March, the organization has helped provide more than 26 million meals.
Join us in helping serve those in need this holiday season.
Drop off your canned goods in the collection barrels at the Shrine Visitors Center by December 31, 2024.
Bring your new unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots in the Visitor Center or Shrine Church by December 14, 2024.
