The Basilica

The term “basilica” originally referred to a specific style of building in the Roman Empire. A basilica was a public building used by the emperor or judges and was characterized by columns, a long aisle,and an apse at one end. It was in the apse that the emperor or judge would be seated.

As Christianity was legalized and became the official religion of the Empire, basilicas were converted into churches, with Christ’s altar being placed in the apse, formerly the emperor’s place. The first Christian basilica was the Lateran Basilica of St. John, which is the Pope’s cathedral as the Bishop of Rome; all subsequent basilicas descend from this Mother Church.

There are two types of basilicas – major and minor. Of the nine major basilicas, seven are in Rome: the Lateran Basilica of St. John, the Vatican Basilica of St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls, St. Lawrence Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian, and the Basilica of the Holy Cross. Additionally, theBasilica of St. Francis in Assisi and the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem are major basilicas.

Minor basilicas are churches throughout the Church that are designated as basilicas by the Holy Father due to factors such as historical significance, architectural beauty, or liturgical renown.  These basilicas share a special relationship with the See of Rome and the Holy Father, and the various privileges and obligations of a basilica highlight this important relationship. The National Shrine of the Little Flower is the 82nd minor basilica in the United States.

A basilica is entitled to make use of the Papal symbol of the crossed keys, especially on the basilica’s own coat of arms. A basilica also displays the Pope’s coat of arms. Furthermore, a basilica displays two important symbols that originated in the Papal court. The tintinnabulum is a bell on top of a pole that was used in processions to alert people of the Pontiff’s approach. The ombrellino is a decorated umbrella of red and gold (the Papal colors) that was originally used to protect the Holy Father from inclement weather. It contains the Papal coat of arms, as well as the Basilica’s coat of arms, and is kept partially open to signify that the Basilica is ready to welcome the Pope to this, his church. Both the tintinnabulum and the ombrellino will be displayed in the sanctuary. An additional privilege given to basilicas is the allowance for the rector to wear a black mozetta with red piping as part of his choir dress.

Due to the unique relationship between the Holy Father and a basilica, basilicas are called to celebrate certain liturgical days with particular care, including the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle (February 22), the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29), and the anniversary of the Pope’s election or inauguration.

Catholics may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion, and prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions – one Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory be…) by 1) participating in a sacred celebration or 2) by visiting the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica and reciting the Our Father and the Profession of Faith (the Creed) on the following days:

June 29 – Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

October 1 – St. Thérèse of the Little Flower Feast Day

October 3 – Date of the dedication, in 1936, of the Shrine of the Little Flower Church

December 23 – date of the concession of the title of minor basilica in 2014 (Feast of St. John Cantius)

Once a year to be determined by Archbishop of Detroit

Visitors may select one additional day each year to seek a plenary indulgence