A trip to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine will take you deeper into you faith

This Jubilee summer is the perfect time to take a pilgrimage to one of five designated sites in the diocese. Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Youngstown offers a great mix of beauty and spirituality to soak up on a day off.  

Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Youngstown, 1023 Swann Road, Youngstown, NY 14174-0167

History: In 1954, the Barnabite Fathers, newly arrived from Italy, conceived the idea of offering to their new country a devotional center in honor of Our Lady, where people could come and be refreshed. Fatima USA was born and the Barnabites became the promoters of the Gospel message urged by the Blessed Mother at Fatima, Portugal.

The idea was enthusiastically accepted. Many people made the dream possible by their generosity and their dedication. First among the shrine benefactors were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ciurzak. In 1954, they donated 16 acres of their farm land, and with God’s help and the support of many, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine has slowly become what it Is today.

This shrine was dedicated in 1965 and consecrated on Oct. 5, 1974. On Oct. 7, 1975, Pope Paul VI, conferred the title of basilica upon this church.

Statues: More than 130 life-size marble statues represent saints from every race and walk of life are featured on the Avenue of the Saints as you approach the shrine. Nearby is the Rosary Pool, a wonderful place to pray and meditate. 

Dome: This unique church measures 100 feet in diameter and is 55 feet high. The dome is covered with two layers of glass and plexiglass depicting a contour of the Northern Hemisphere, upon which rests a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady is very much in the midst of the world helping humanity to reach the Lord.

Neat fact: You can take a self-guided tour by downloading this tourguide. 

Make sure to check out: The Peace Mural by Professor Joseph Slawinski is 24 feet across the front, 76 feet wide and stands 5 feet from the floor.

The left side shows the consequences of a lack of peace. A horrible aftermath of an atomic bomb mushroom cloud hovers above spectral figures, clad in death white.

The contrasting right side depicts Professor Slawinski’s fanciful projection of a tranquil world with laughing children and cosmic harmony. It is a scene of plenty, culture and education with inter-planetary travel and peace among the people of the world. When peace prevails, the earth is a joyous place.

In the center of the mural stands a pregnant young woman. She is a symbol that peace is not yet here, but its possibility is present. Surrounding her are four figures representing the four races of the world. Positioned above them is the symbol of the Holy Trinity drawing together the two hemispheres.

Professor Joseph Slawinski has produced a unique type of art work known as sgraffito, a technique of scratching a surface to reveal layers of contrasting colors beneath.