Pope Francis proclaimed Jubilee 2025 as a holy year of hope, which began Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes Jan. 6, 2026. Additional information about observing Jubilee 2025 is available at https://stcdio.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/.
The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the holy year because it represents the journey each person makes in this life. The St. Cloud Diocese is home to many sacred sites for people to visit. Bishop Patrick M. Neary, CSC, has encouraged parishioners to pray at these sites throughout the year as well as with the diocese’s religious communities.
The Central Minnesota Catholic introduced a Jubilee Passport to encourage people to participate in pilgrimages and perform corporal and spiritual acts of mercy which may provide eligibility to receive plenary indulgences during this year. The passport may be downloaded at https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-Jubilee-Passport-11-19-24-FINAL-web.pdf.
Where is it?
In 1952, a major relic of St. Odilia was brought to the Crosier Priory in Onamia, and the National Shrine of St. Odilia, established in honor of the Patroness of the Order, was set up in the priory church, where the reliquary is housed.
The Crosier Fathers and Brothers in Onamia have served as guardians of the shrine since then. The shrine is in the Holy Cross Priory Church at 104 Crosier Drive N., Onamia.
St. Odilia has promised her intercession on behalf of the Crosiers and all those who invoke her aid. For centuries it has been the practice of the Crosiers to bless water in honor of St. Odilia, dipping her relic in it and asking God to give it “power against all diseases and bodily infirmities.” Many have been cured through her intercession.
What will you see?
There are three “stations” in the national shrine:
- The religious icon of St. Odilia and two of her relics help pilgrims “look through” the icon designed as a window into heaven and pause for prayer in the presence of the relics.
- The stained-glass windows tell the story of St. Odilia’s life: her martyrdom, her appearance to Brother John Novelan, OSC, and how the story of this saint and the history of the Crosiers became entwined.
- The altar reliquary is a replica of the original one in Belgium that honors St. Odilia’s memory and remains.
Who was St. Odilia?
In 1287, St. Odilia appeared three times to Crosier Brother John Novelan, OSC, of Eppa, France, a member of the Paris monastery. St. Odilia told him God asked her to be the protectress of the Crosier Order and indicated where her relics could be found. According to some accounts, Odilia introduced herself as the daughter of Emperor Maromeus and companion of Ursula and insisted that Brother John travel to Cologne, Germany, and unearth her remains and those of her sister Ida. The Crosier brother and his priest companion, Father Louis, found the grave under a pear tree and unearthed the relics. The archbishop of Cologne was present when the relics were removed.
A few days later, the relics were on their way to the motherhouse of the Brethren of the Holy Cross at Huy, Belgium. Along the journey, numerous miracles were reported as people came in contact with the relics. The relics were received in Huy amid great rejoicing. They were then placed in a wooden reliquary in the Crosier monastery there.
What to do while you are there:
Pray at the national shrine and/or attend Mass and/or the Liturgy of the Hours.
Hours to visit: Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; weekend hours, please contact the Crosiers at 320-532-3103.
The Crosiers request that arrangements be made in advance for parish groups and organizations making pilgrimages.
Masses celebrated on Sundays at 9 a.m.; weekdays at 8 a.m. (no Mass on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Annual healing Mass of St. Odilia:
Many cures, especially of diseases of the eyes, are obtained through St. Odilia’s intercession. In this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the annual healing Mass in her honor will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 20. The ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia is offered at the healing Mass. Parishioners from Holy Cross Parish will serve a brunch following Mass. No reservations needed — tickets sold at the door. For more information, contact the Crosiers at 320-532-3103 or by email at onamia@crosier.org.
The national novena to St. Odilia is July 10-18. The ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia is offered through special arrangement by calling the Crosier Priory.
Liturgy of the Hours prayed at the National Shrine of St. Odilia:
- Sunday: Lauds at 8 a.m., Midday at 11:50 a.m., Vespers at 5 p.m., Compline at 9 p.m.
- Weekday: Lauds at 7:30 a.m., Midday at 11:50 a.m., Vespers at 5 p.m., Compline at 9 p.m.
- Saturday: Lauds at 7:30 a.m., Midday at 11:50 a.m., Vespers at 7:30 p.m.
Novena and blessing with the relic of St. Odilia:
Novenas in honor of St. Odilia are prayed twice a month, beginning on the 5th and 17th, and the national novena begins on July 10 and ends on St. Odilia’s feast day, July 18.
The Crosier Fathers and Brothers welcome prayer intentions, which may be mailed to the National Shrine of St. Odilia, P.O. Box 500, Onamia, MN 56359. For more information call the Crosier Priory at 320-532-3103 or visit their website at www.crosier.org.
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Those who visit the National Shrine of St. Odilia may also be interested in special features of Holy Cross Priory Church
Holy Cross Priory Church
The baptismal font at the entry immerses all in the faith and supports the crossing from this life to the next. The crucifix above the font further reminds visitors of their entry and exit in the world.
In the nave is a figure of the resurrected Christ in front of a “shadowed” cross. This Christ has passed through the experience of the cross and stands on the other side of it; he is not bound by nails and suffering in agony.
The 22 stained glass windows, designed by Robert Pinart in 1955, line the church walls and tell the story of how St. Odilia’s martyrdom is entwined with the history of the Crosiers.
On the left side of the sanctuary is the Marian shrine, an icon known as Our Lady of Vladimir.
The Blessed Sacrament is placed so that Crosiers can pray in its presence with privacy throughout the day.
Above the organ loft is the rose window with the Crosier cross and motto.
The Crosiers have published a guidebook to the church and the National Shrine of St. Odilia, with information about its symbolic imagery, station prayers, further meditations and insight on the Crosier life.