"Phillip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
"How can I," the man said, "unless someone explains it to me?"
(Acts 8:30-31)

The National Shrine of St. Thérèse, Juneau, is a ministry of the Diocese of Juneau and is located approximately 22 miles north of downtown Juneau. The Shrine has welcomed people of all faiths and all corners of the world for over 80 years.

The Shrine is dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of Alaska, missionaries, and the Diocese of Juneau. She is known for her Little Way and in her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, she wrote that what really mattered in life was not our great deeds, but our great love.

The National Shrine of St. Thérèse began as the dream of Fr. William G. LeVasseur, S.J. (Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits). Fr. LeVasseur saw the need for a retreat center in Alaska. So he approached Bishop Crimont, the first Bishop of Alaska, and asked for permission to build such a center.  Bishop Crimont himself had a deep devotion to St. Thérèse and knew members of her family. so he readily agreed. He wanted the retreat center to be dedicated to St. Thérèse. So in 1932 he managed to secure five acres of forest reserve land from the federal government and then added on an additional five acres in 1935. During the intervening years between those two events, a causeway was built from the shore of that land to a small island just a few hundred feet out in the waters of the Lynn Canal, a natural arm of the Pacific Ocean that reaches up to the communities of Haines and Skagway.

Next came a cabin for the workers along with the beautiful chapel that still dominates the highest point on the island.  The site continued to grow through the years as it became a retreat center that is used by both local groups as well as groups from around the world. Bishop Crimont, who died in 1945, is interred in the chapel near the altar.

Even after nearly 90 years of serving the faithful of Alaska (and in some ways the world), the Shrine remains a place of peace that encourages time with God in reverential contemplation. The various retreats that are held there on a regular basis serve to enhance that time along with providing insights into our relationship with the God we serve and love.

The Shrine is open year round (though getting there in the winter can be a challenge), and you will find your time spent there, whether for a few hours, a day, or even a week (cabins are available for rental) likely to be the best time of your life.

Oh, and be sure to stop in at the Gift Center where you can find not only literature suitable to a retreat center but also purchase and then send a postcard from the Shrine's very own post office!

For additional information on how to get to the Shrine along with details about its programs, events, and Mass schedule, please click the website link below.

Shrine Website