The cold limestone edifice of the Bishop’s Mausoleum stands on a bluff overlooking Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside. A bronze statue of the angel Gabriel sits atop blowing a trumpet, and if you could stand next to him, you would look out on the Chicago skyline.

       It was at this structure on Sunday that more than 50 people came to tour the mausoleum and pay respects to the memory of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Chicago’s archbishop until 1996, on the 25th anniversary of his death.

       The building, which is generally closed, was opened to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Usually, the mausoleum can only be accessed via appointment or special request, according to Liane Bania, director of cemetery services for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

       While the exterior of the building may be stark, the interior is anything but. Rich, bright tile mosaics line the walls, domed ceiling and floors of the mausoleum, where eight of Chicago’s previous bishops and archbishops are enshrined.

       People visit the Bishop's Mausoleum as the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago observes the 25th anniversary of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin’s death by opening his resting place at Mount Carmel Cemetery on Nov. 14, 2021, in Hillside. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

       “Everything’s got a story,” said Deacon Glenn Tylutki, motioning at the tile work. “People come and they take away (lessons for) their life. It’s all part of their journey of faith.”

       At the front of the mausoleum, a marble alter lies beneath a domed mosaic depicting the Last Supper. Sunlight gleams off the golden tile work.

       The mausoleum is so luxurious that Cardinal Francis George, who died in 2015, decided to be buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines instead, to abide by his vow of poverty.

       Bania said they rarely have opened the cemetery for a bishop’s death anniversary, but occasionally will open it for public viewing on holidays like Memorial Day.

       According to a release from the Archdiocese of Chicago, Bernardin was most known for efforts to reform clergy sexual abuse of children and implemented “the strongest, most comprehensive policies on priests accused of sexual misconduct.”

       Before coming to Chicago, Bernardin was the archbishop of Cincinnati. He died in 1996 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 68.

       A number of the visitors to the mausoleum Sunday came with their children. Amy Stanislawski came with her daughter Catherine, 8, to see the intricate mosaics and honor Bernardin.

       Stanislawski, who traveled from Chicago’s South Side, said Bernardin died when she was 20 years old. She recalled how he was often involved in youth programming and said she was glad to be honoring his memory.

       Greg Fox brought his two daughters to see the mausoleum. Fox said it was the first time he had ever been inside, though he works for cemetery services and often passes the building.

       Fox said his older daughter, Cameron, was especially excited to come see the mausoleum for her Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes.

       “They’re in this building all by themselves. It’s kind of special,” Cameron said. “And it’s really pretty.”

       After drinking water crisis in Flint, similar problems surface in Benton Harbor

       24m

       Jane Tyner, longtime Evanston resident with ‘regal quality’ who was teacher and volunteer, dies at 75

       25m

       Home and Garden Small sprouts around tree trunks, known as suckers, can be a sign of stress. Here’s what to do.

       5:00 AM

       Criminal Justice Embattled Chicago FOP president faces termination hearing

       1h

       Horoscopes Daily horoscope for November 14, 2021

       12:00 AM