The renovation was undertaken by Chicago-based Ricker Murphy Development, in collaboration with architectural firm Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson. The reopening of this historic and sacred space, which was dedicated as the National Shrine in 1955, has been a decade-long undertaking of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In addition to restoring the physical space of the Shrine, the Sisters preserved all the furnishings and the saint’s personal belongings, which were contained in the room in which she died on 22 December 1917. Chicago-based preservation and conservation firm Bernacki & Associates have conserved and restored all of these items, ensuring they are maintained to tell her story for future generations. The shrine has been covered with canvas and was supported by scaffolding to preserve the hand-painted frescoes, fine marble statuary, gold mosaics, precious Florentine stained glass, and delicate decorative carvings.
The Shrine will serve as a sacred space for the people of Chicago and visitors from around the world in search for God and spiritual renewal.
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was built in 1955 as the chapel for Chicago’s Columbus Hospital. It was established to honour Mother Cabrini, America’s first citizen-saint.
