Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Written: Feb 03 '05 (Updated Feb 03 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Art styles from around the world.
Cons: Didn't know about the personal tour books until we enter the Crypt-Church and book-shop areas.
The Bottom Line: This is a definite stop for Catholics and many Christians. It is also has wonderful examples of art work from around the world that non-believers should find exemplary.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate ... |
From atop Capitol Hill you can see the a campanile in the northern distance in Washington DC. What you are looking at is The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is an imposing structure and is the largest Catholic Church in the Western Hemisphere. It is also the Patronal church of the United States.
Some Clarification
I should mention that I am a practicing Roman Catholic. Though the Basilica may hold more meaning to someone who is of the faith, the fact is the structure itself and the artwork within is something any art loving, inquisitive and open minded person may find interesting and quite beautiful.
What this isn't?
I first wanted to mention that this is not the National Church of the United States. That honor goes to the National Cathedral that is also north of the Capitol area. It too can be seen in the distance from the DC mall area. That was where President Ronald Reagan's DC funeral ceremonies took place.
What is a Basilica?
The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Basilica rather than just a cathedral. In simple terms a cathedral is generally the home church of an area, a dioceses, and is the Bishop's prime place of worship.
A Basilica has more status because of its history and/or prominence. This particular structure has been dedicated as the Patronal church of the US and therefor is a place where all Catholic and others pilgrimage to from all over the states and the world to visit and pray. A Basilica is a place where the Pope has granted great importance. I was fortunate to have been in Denver when the Pope came and elevated the cathedral, his first ever, to its Basilica status. Interestingly it is also named Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It does not hold the title as National Shrine though.
Who is Mary?
This church has been dedicated to Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, who Catholics believe is one of the three persons in one God. There is God the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
Mary is not worshiped as God in the Catholic Church. She is a very special person. A bit more as I go on.
The structure is a Marian Shrine and, as such, has great importance to so many people who give honor to Mary and have her as a role model.
What is the Immaculate Conception?
First I will tell you it is not the virgin birth of Jesus. It is stated however that Mary was a virgin throughout life and the virgin birth of Jesus through her is one of God's miracles.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the fact that she, Mary, was conceived without sin. Catholics believe we share in the "Original Sin" of Adam and Eve and therefore are not perfect upon birth. Mary however, through the grace of God, was without sin at conception and through all her life. We believe that she is the perfect role model with the virtues of humility, piety, patience, faith, hope and charity. As such she is given great honor in the Catholic Church.
I hope that helps as to the name of the structure.
Brief History
In August of 1913 an American bishop went to Rome and met with the pope at the time to ask for permission to start a project that would be the National Shrine of the US dedicated to Mary as a role model for its Catholic citizens. It was approved and by 1920 start-up funds made it possible to lay the cornerstone in 1920.
The construction started on a high piece of ground in the corner of a Catholic University. First The Crypt Church was started. This was to be the underground part of the huge church that would eventually be built above it. It was made in the image of Roman catacombs. More later.
Due to the depression and WWII construction was halted but in 1954 work started up again and by 1959 the construction of the massive sanctuary had begun. and the Knight's Tower, a campanile with 56 bells inside, was completed.
Though the church is basically finished as we see it today there are always new projects going on in one or two of the many of shrines within its walls.
Some Fast facts
This Cathedral is the largest Catholic Church's in the Americas and the 10th in size throughout all the world. Having been to Rome and Florence I can say it easily compares to those grand Catholic structures of St Peter's Basilica the largest in the world and Piazza del Duomo the forth largest.
The basilica was built in a Byzantine-Romanesque style but the shrines inside are an eclectic mixture of modern and ethnic architecture from all around the world. That is what makes this particular building so interesting.
Over 70 shrines are through-out the basilica reflecting the different cultural images of Mary through assorted mediums of which most are paintings, sculptures and tile work. The styling is from countries from around the world including many Western and Eastern European countries, African countries, The Philippines, and India.
The upper church is 400 feet long and can accommodate 6,000 people! The down-stairs Crypt Church has room for 400 more. We have been there twice and except for a handful of people the place was empty, however tour buses do come to this site regularly. Be aware that on any Catholic holidays and especially Marian days this place can get very crowded. The web site gives days of worship and a very complete calender of events that go on within the walls of this grand building.
Our Experience
The two times we came we parked below and walked up the hill to the huge staircase. There is a drop off area for those who may find the hill too much of a challenge.
We walked up, it is quite a distance, and walked in the main entrance. Looking ahead is a huge mosaic of Jesus. He has a very stern look. It's not an image that I happen to like. His arms and hands are thrust slightly upward. This reminds me of a Jesus image on a building on one end of Notra Dame's football stadium. The art there is called "touch-down Jesus" because in that image he also has his arms up in a manner of a referee at a football game showing the signal of a touchdown. Though I don't particularly like that image at the far end of the building, it is the size and majesty of the church that makes it magnificent.
We made our way around the Basilica stopping at most of the shrines that encircle the main part of the building. These are beautiful places to pray or study the art. In our case we did both.
What I liked was that at each shrine area was a placard that gave information as to who dedicated it and some definition of meaning of the artwork. Most of these shrines were dedicated to Mary.
Halfway down or so there is a sign directing you downstairs. We decided to walk completely around the main upstairs part of the church before going down to the Crypt Church and everything else that is below.
Being under the dome made me feel small. It is immense! We continued around the church. Inside the building is a chapel like area where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. Being in such an area makes one feel that we are in the physical presence of Jesus Christ. The intimate space is open for quiet prayer. It was here that, as my wife was praying, she received a sudden burst of the scent of roses. (there were none to be seen anywhere nearby) Mary is known for roses. It stirred my wife and afterward she had tears in her eyes. I believe she received a special blessing from God at that moment. I am happy for her. She constantly prays for her family and friends. She is generous in her warmth and care for others.
Much of the art work and design at the shrines have Mary as a center point. It is quite interesting to see how each culture sees her differently. A display and supporting art work in the African chapel area was particularly striking to me. One sculpture show how the African Black man was brought to the Americas as a slave and how through the years, through subsequent sculptures, he went on to slowly gain all the just freedoms he as today. It is an extremely moving piece of art.
Nowhere in the upstairs of the church did we see guards, guides or even many people. All was quite quiet and peaceful. We walked on to the base of the Knight's Tower. There was no access to the tower. There is however an elevator to the Crypt Church and other places belows.
The Undercroft
Though this section is under the main church, you can enter at this at grade level from the outside, thus avoiding the huge staircase. We never saw signs directing us there from the outside. It's my feeling that the way we experienced it both times from the top down is the best way to experience the Basilica. I would suggest you do it the same way. If the stairs are a problem you will find the entrance off to the left of the main stairs as you face the entrance. If you do go in through grade level, go directly to the elevator and go to the upper church before seeing the Crypt. Again that's my opinions as to the best way to see it. Ask about the self guided tours when you enter. There are no fees for seeing the building.
One can take the stairs or the elevator down. The Basilica is access friendly through out. At the bottom of the elevator area are very clean and well stocked restrooms.
The undercroft area is extremely different and interesting to walk through. I did not make it to the catacombs while in Italy but it is that catacomb feeling this area was designed to evoke. Be sure to walk through it all. Again there are interesting shrines around the perimeter.
Down stairs also holds a book store and gift shop. The gift shop has many religious items priced from just a few cents to fine art that will probable need a credit card with a high limit. There were many helpful people working inside the shop. Neither time did we go into the book shop. It is a good size.
A large restaurant area between the two shops. Again, it was quiet when we were there but the restaurant seems set up to take care of huge crowds. I can tell you the food smelled good, but we have never eaten there.
Tours
I have since found out that it is possible to get a self-guiding tour pamphlet to get you through the Basilica. I am sure we would have learned more by having it however, the placards at the many stations did give good information and because it was quiet we had full and first use of them.
Though most people stroll through the Basilica on their own, group tours are available too. Check the web site for more information. The next time I do go I will try and get a tour with a live guide. I'm sure there is so much to learn.
The Garden
Sometimes time and energy just don't allow seeing everything. The Basilica has a garden area behind it to visit. I have read it is a quiet and reflective place to be.
Closing Thoughts
Like the tour of the Capitol building, you go through smaller rooms and then get the grand view of the rotunda. They are both awesome and well worth visiting when in DC.
If you happen to be Catholic, this is a must stop when in DC. It is a beautiful and prayerful place.
For tourists without religious ties, it's my thought that anyone will find the architecture and art within an interesting and fulfilling visit. Being the largest Catholic Church in the Americas shows its grandeur, its Byzantine-Romanesque style is something different than most of the Gothic churches you have may have seen or visited, and the many ethnic and devotional images of Mary from around the world are inspiring.
Other Washington DC reviews by Popsrocks
Washington DC
The Capital Hilton
Fairmont Washington Hotel
The Old Ebbit Grill Good Eats near the White House
The White House
The Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
The Korean War Veteran's Memorial
The Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial
The National World War II Memorial This is a new major memorial that was dedicated May 2004
The National Art Gallery
The National Archives This has just reopened and it's bigger and better!!
The National Air and Space Museum
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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