U.S.

Archdiocese to hold collection for national shrine Aug. 27

By Joyce Duriga | Editor
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Work on mosaic dome for national shrine

A second collection Aug. 27, 2017 will help fund the completion of the mosaic Trinity Dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Cardinal Cupich has asked parishes to hold a second collection Aug. 27 to help support the basilica’s completion. See story on page 15. Photo provided
An employee cuts a tile for a mosaic for the central dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington at Travisanutto Giovanni mosaic company in Spilimbergo, Italy, July 19. The mosaic is projected to be completed in December 2017. The shrine marks its centennial in 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
An employee places tiles on a mosaic for the central dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington at Travisanutto Giovanni mosaic studio in Spilimbergo, Italy, July 19. The mosaic is projected to be completed in December 2017. The shrine marks its centennial in 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
An employee places tiles on a mosaic for the central dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington at Travisanutto Giovanni mosaic studio in Spilimbergo, Italy, July 19. The mosaic is projected to be completed in December 2017. The shrine marks its centennial in 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Cardinal Cupich has requested that all archdiocesan parishes hold a second collection on Aug. 27 to help complete the work at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The basilica, which is located near the Catholic University of America, is the largest Catholic church in North America and is among the 10 largest churches in the world. As the 100th anniversary of the placement of the church’s foundation stone approaches in 2020, U.S. bishops have asked Catholics to donate to help finish the shrine with the completion of the Trinity Dome.

Designated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as a “national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage,” the basilica is dedicated to the patroness of the United States, the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception.

It is often the site for large Masses including the annual vigil held the evening before the March for Life. When Pope Francis visited America in 2015, he canonized St. Junipero Serra during an outdoor Mass next to the shrine.

The basilica features an upper and lower church and more than 80 chapels and oratories that honor Mary and represent the people, cultures and traditions of the American people.

Nearly a century in the making, this Marian shrine, affectionately referred to as America’s Catholic Church, has been a work in progress since the laying of its foundation stone in 1920.

The Trinity Dome is the central and largest dome of the basilica. This “Crowning Jewel” is a mosaic depicting the Most Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception and a procession of saints who have an association with the United States and the shrine including St. Juan Diego (the first canonized male Native American), St. Kateri Tekakwitha (the first canonized female Native American), St. Teresa of Calcutta (an honorary American citizen), St. Frances Cabrini (the first U.S. citizen to be canonized), St. John Paul II (the first pope to visit the shrine) and St. Junípero Serra (the first canonization ever to take place on American soil).

The Nicene Creed will encircle the base of the dome, while the dome’s four pendentives will feature the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
During his visit to the shrine on Sept. 23, 2015, Pope Francis blessed the preliminary segment of mosaic created for the Trinity Dome containing the words of the beginning and end of the Nicene Creed: “I believe in one God.” “Amen.”

For information, visit www.trinitydome.org.

Topics:

  • cupich
  • shrines

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