Bishop blesses Memorial Garden Columbarium and Shrine outside Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbia
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The holy water flowed down with torrents from heaven.
Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell blessed Our Lady of Lourdes Parish’s new Memorial Garden Columbarium and Shrine in Columbia in the middle of a cloudburst.
“You know, I’m glad it was raining,” he said after getting back inside.
“Snow will collect on that columbarium, rain will fall on that columbarium, beautiful sunny spring days, warm, humid August days will all hit that stone where we lovingly place the remains of those who have gone before us,” the bishop stated.
The Memorial Garden and Columbarium, an above-ground structure made up of secure niches for cremated remains, occupies a prominent place between the rectory and Flanagan Hall, which was the parish’s original church.
The pink granite-faced structure has space for urns containing the cremated remains of 1,042 parishioners — including single niches, double niches for married couples, and family niches.
The polished granite matches the stone around the sanctuary and the pillars inside Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
A Marian grotto adorns one end of the columbarium, with a statue of the Blessed Mother surrounded by stone slabs etched with prayers for seeking her intercession.
Bishop O’Donnell blessed the Shrine and Columbarium after celebrating Mass with fifth- through eighth-graders of Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School on Oct. 1.
It was the Church’s day to remember St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, who often stated, “I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth.”
Father Roberto Ike, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, joined the bishop at the altar and the columbarium.
Fr. Ike appointed a committee of parishioners in 2025 to oversee the construction and maintenance of the columbarium in response to continuing trends in Catholic burial customs.
An increasing number of people in recent years have chosen cremation instead of burial, highlighting the need for an appropriate, dignified place for their remains to be given back to God.
Construction began earlier this year next to an area that has served for years as a parish prayer garden.
A thick concrete foundation was set down before each section of the columbarium was lifted into place with a crane.
The granite and steel finishing came next.
Landscaping followed, completing the Prayer Garden and areas around the rectory and Columbarium/Shrine.
As people pay for their niches and the beautiful rosary-encircled bronze plaques in the columbarium, a portion of the proceeds will go into a special fund, with the proceeds providing for perpetual upkeep.
“Rest and hope”
Bishop O’Donnell, Fr. Ike and a group of parishioners stood under a canopy outside the church for the prayers of blessing after Mass.
“Grant that this Memorial Garden, placed under the Sign of the Cross may, by the power of your blessing, be a place of rest and hope,” the bishop prayed.
“May this place be a comfort to the living, a sign of their hope for unending life,” he continued. “May prayers be offered here continually in supplication for those who sleep in Christ and in constant praise of your mercy.”
The bishop then led a procession of people with umbrellas to the columbarium.
“More saints”
One of the readings for the Mass that day recounted the words of Job after he endured massive suffering and encountered God’s wisdom and consolation.
“I know that my Redeemer lives ... whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him, and from my flesh I shall see God.”
St. Thérèse believed and internalized that message from her early youth.
“Even when her own mother died when she was very young, she asked the Blessed Mother to care for her,” said Bishop O’Donnell in his homily. “And Mary did.”
Thérèse went about doing little tasks intentionally with great love and faithfulness.
“When someone said something unkind, when someone did something that wasn’t respectful, she would offer that up for the benefit of that person,” the bishop noted.
That commitment kept growing and led her to profess vows as a cloistered Carmelite nun.
After entering Religious Life, “Thérèse never left her cloister,” the bishop pointed out. “But in offering up her daily sacrifices and kindnesses on their behalf, she ministered to prisoners on death row and priests, especially priests who were experiencing difficult crises in life.”
Bishop O’Donnell challenged the all the students, teachers, clergy, parents and grandparents present in the assembly to work on imitating St. Thérèse ’s “Little Way” — “finding in those simple ways to bring Jesus Christ’s love into the world.”
“If we can dedicate ourselves to patience, kindness, charity, forgiveness, mercy, compassion in those little ways, be assured that Jesus is present,” he said.
The bishop assured everyone that “there are a lot more saints yet left to come” in this country and around the world.
“And that’s our job, to bring Jesus into the world,” he said. “Jesus calls US to be saints!”
