Dec. 9, 2007

Maureen and Yannick Ratnayake made their third pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke blesses the Rosary Walk at the Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe. Erik Daily

The couple, who are from Milwaukee, heard about it from a friend and brought their four children — Peter (6), Mary (4), Clare (3) and Joseph (1) — for events at the Shrine on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

"It's just a world class place of beauty," Maureen said. "Of all the places people put their money, what a great use for it."

Next to Maureen, Clare smiled and walked backward up a winding, paved trail that leads from the Pilgrim Center at the bottom to the Shrine Church on top.

The family was bringing up the rear of a procession of about 150 people, who said the rosary as Archbishop Raymond Burke led them toward the Rosary Walk, which he would dedicate.

The walk, which is the latest structure to be dedicated at the shrine, is made up of four stations representing the four mysteries of the rosary: the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries.

Each mystery contains stories from the Gospels that Catholics meditate on while saying the rosary. Blue and white tile images, made by Anthony Visco, fine arts coordinator for the shrine, reflect those stories at the Rosary Walk.

Burke, founder of the shrine and head of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, waved incense in three directions and sprinkled blessed water in three directions at each station of the Rosary Walk.

"Through the motherhood of Mary, God in his goodness has chosen to redeem the human race," Burke said as people stood bowing their heads.

The day began at the Pilgrim Center with the induction of 28 children into the St. Juan Diego Guild for Children. The guild has 731 active members, ages pre-birth to 18, a shrine official said.

After Burke dedicated the Rosary Walk, the group got a sneak peak at the Shrine Church, which is still under construction.

Brian O'Neel from Necedah, Wis., was with four of his five children, who are all in the St. Juan Diego Guild for Children.

It was their first time in the church.

"When I walked in here, it was like I stepped back into Rome," said O'Neel, who has traveled to churches in Europe and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.