Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago

I remember...going to school when the building was located on the Van Buren side and the convent was right across the street. I remember the Parish hall, I remember watching a film in 5th grade called "Big Brother Watching You'' ( I thought to myself, that's impossible ). I remember the cloak room, I remember in White Castle burgers on Wednesday's in the cafeteria for lunch (they were really good back then). I remember attending mass w/ my parents on Sunday's 7:00 service at that. I remember the nuns wearing their habits, and the priest use to go and visit the sick and the shut-ins (In the bad neighborhoods) I lived in the projects I know, I can recall Father Prayder (excuse my spelling) Sister Bernadine was the principal. I remember being Baptize there and having my 1st communion @ Our Lady of Sorrows Church. I remember the evening the tower caught fire. By that time my parents was Blessed to buy a home directly across the street. I remember moving to the new building on Jackson to attend 6th grade. I remember the convent and the parish hall being torn down. (that was a sad day). I remember the day I graduated from Our Lady Of Sorrows. I remember how the teachers teach, the nuns were of 'No Nonsense' and the priest prayed for our sin and sickness. I remember the sounds of laughter, Oh....How I Remember.....and I'm grateful to God to for all the memories...P.D.

I am also a product of OLS. I was there when Sister Alice Jean taught 2nd grade. I was there when Sister Berdine was was the principal. My family was the one that gave sister Bernadine the dog. I have travel all over and moved several times and I have NEVER came across a Church/Basilica as lovely as OLS's. I went to school there from 1st thru 5th grade and have kept thoes memories close and near to my heart. They were the best years of my life.

I wrote the review below (February 2010). I am sorry I made a few type-o's in my review. Even so, everything I said was so true. I love, love, LOVE Our Lady of Sorrows. I know you all would love it too. They welcome visitors. S. D'Andrea

I went to OLS from 1981-1987. My favorite memories are when I spent Sat afternoon w/Sister Mary & Father Jokim while my mom volunterred for Bingo. I remember the carnival durning the summer & how BEAUTIFUL Christmas Mass would be. I was baptised on Easter Sunday of 1984. I was sooo sad to hear the school had closed. I am who I am because of teachers like: Mr. M.Smith, Mrs J. Sides, Mrs Hall, and who could ever forget Mrs. Payne the BEST SCIENCE TEACHER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

My childhood memories are of this church. I started there in kindergarten. I still remember the student desk bolted to the floor and the hole in the upper desk for the ink jar. I am currently an artist and thinking back of a drawing I did of an ant farm and the teacher posting it on top of the chalk board, I think it was what inspired me to become an artist. I am over 50 now and can still remember all, even before I was 4 yrs old to young for school, I would walk in the early morning with all the students pretending to be one and couldn't wait to attend classes there with all my cousins and aunts. Awesome experience..

I spent a great deal of time at Our Lady of Sorrows. I was in grammar school there and I can remember spending a lot of time in the church. It was an awesome experience. I have never been so fasinated with a place the way I was with that church. The inside is something that you have to experience for yourself because words can not describe it. The pictures on this website does not do it any justice you have to see it for yourself and I am sure you will not be disappointed!

We visit this treasure often. Father K (sorry I don't know the correct spelling of his name) invited us back to share in the 135th anniversary celebration of September 20, 2009. Everyone there was warm and welcoming. The church is the most lovely I've ever seen. My family has many ties to this sacred shrine. The first time I entered the church I started crying, and I'm not a softy. I cried because--well--if you ever visit OLS you will understand... I'm a better person for having prayed and celbrated Mass here. Honestly, prior to my visits I had had a bit of difficulty overcoming my disdain for a few people I know. I lit candles at the church. I swear to our Father in Heaven--the disdain has left me. Now, I make it back to Our Lady of Sorrows as often as I can. I'm bewitched by this landmark. I can't help but think of my parents' marrying there, my own baptism, family funeral masses, etc. I treasure Our Lady of Sorrows.

I love the atmosphere and the look of the basilica, the healing mass is that what I was looking for in Chicago area, besides I am glad that I know now about the St. Peregrine so I can pray to him for healing for my mother.

My parents married there. Their children were baptized there. My godmother was a nun there before the convent had to be destroyed for reasons I'd rather not discuss here. The place is a true architectural beauty. I hope it stays in place forever.

THE OUR LADY OF SORROWS BASILICA IN CHICAGO IS BEAUTIFUL BEYOND WORDS . UNFORTUNATLY THE PICTURES IN THIS PRESENTATION HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BASILICA ON JACKSON AVENUE IN CHICAGO YOU MUST GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF IT IS BEAUTIFUL