Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

For the Basilica in Fátima, Portugal, please see: Our Lady of Fátima Basilica
Front view of Basilica
View of the heart pool from on top of the dome

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is a Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Roman Catholic Church located in Lewiston, New York, USA, north of Niagara Falls, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Fatima, the Patroness of the United States. It is directed by The Barnabite Fathers

Thousands of pilgrims from around the country and the world visit the basilica each year. The basilica is located on 16 acreas of land. Notable buildings, objects and settings on the property include the Basilica, Bell Tower, Shrine of St. Anthony Mary Zaccari, Little Chapel of Fatima, The Avenues of Saints, Shrine of Mother Cabrini, the Giant Rosary, the Peace Mural, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the Immaculate Heart Chapel, The First Chapel, and the Barnabite Father’s Seminary.

History

First among the many Shrine benefactors were Mr. & Mrs. Walter Ciurzak who, in 1954, donated 16 acres (65,000 m2) of their farm land for the construction of the Shrine. [1]

The church was started in 1963, dedicated in 1965, and consecrated on October 5, 1974. On October 7 1975 Pope Paul VI conferred the title of Basilica upon the church. The Basilica sits in a dome measuring 100 feet (30 m) in diameter and 55-foot (17 m) high. The dome is covered with two layers of glass and acrylic glass depicting a contour of the Northern hemisphere. On top of this dome there is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima which is 13 feet (4.0 m) high and weighs 10 tons, sculpted from Vermont granite.

The 48-foot (15 m)-tall bell tower was built during the 25th anniversary year, 1981, and is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Charles M. Barlassina, C.R.S.P.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Official Web Site

Coordinates: 43°12′1.23″N 79°0′11.94″W / 43.2003417°N 79.0033167°W / 43.2003417; -79.0033167

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