Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy

Fr. Augustine Lazur arrived in Australia in 1981 and established the Shrine of our Lady of Mercy in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales in 1984.

The Shrine Church is dedicated to Our Lady under the title of Our Lady of Mercy, as represented by a replica of the icon of the Black Madonna. The original icon of the Black Madonna has been under the custodianship of the Pauline Fathers since 1382, and they promote devotion to her where ever they go. So naturally, when building a new shrine, she becomes the centre of devotion.

But the Shrine has grown much since its founding and now has many smaller shrines built by pilgrims and devoted to the best-loved saints of all over the world. People of many different nationalities come to Penrose Park to visit their shrines for days of prayer.

The Shrine has several days when many pilgrims come to visit the Shrine. Particularly popular is the Fatima Day devotions, on the 13th of Every Month, which sometimes draws crowds of over a thousand pilgrims. Visit our events page to see more about what happens at the Shrine.