Pope Francis designates shrine in Philadelphia to basilica status

The Miraculous Medal Shrine, a Marian devotional destination and ministry of the Vincentians of the Eastern Province in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, has been elevated by the Vatican to Minor Basilica status, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Jan. 25.

The designation is shared by only one other church in the city — the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul — and 91 others across the United States. The shrine, along with the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception that houses it, are now known as The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

The new designation followed an application process of multiple years and culminated in a decree issued by Pope Francis. The Shrine is now promoted as an exemplary site of liturgical and pastoral activity within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Minor Basilicas are given prominence among other churches and shrines, receive certain honorifics, and are tasked with special responsibilities.

Among the faithful who have visited the shrine are the Altar Rosary Society at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown. The group, which included Father Edward Czarcinski, pastor, and parishioners and members of other local parishes, visited the shrine May 17, 2016.

The group took a tour of the shrine, then had time for reflection, prayed the rosary and worshiped at Mass.

After Mass, the group visited the shrine’s museum.

Among the pilgrims was Bernadette Olson, a member of the Altar Rosay Society and a past president.

“Our visit had a very positive impact on me,” Olson said in an interview with the ‘The Catholic Spirit.’ “Prior to the visit, I prayed the rosary and occasionally wore the Miraculous Medal. This visit made me wish to learn more about both the rosary and the Miraculous Medal and to more seriously reflect on both.”

Olson said she also read the biography of Catherine Laboure to better understand the story of the Miraculous Medal. As a result, she has become more devoted to the Blessed Mother and the Miraculous Medal.

“I am thrilled that the Miraculous Medal Shrine has been elevated to the Minor Basilica status,” she said. “I was impressed at how the Shrine is a place for reflection and prayer for visitors but is still a neighborhood church supported by the local residents. The Shrine reflects the message of Jesus and his mother that we can find salvation through our faith in God.”

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, said, “I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for bestowing this tremendous honor on The Miraculous Medal Shrine. This moment is one of great joy for the entire Church in Philadelphia. The Miraculous Medal Shrine is a great gift drawing souls closer to Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

“I congratulate the Vincentians and all those working to sustain the Shrine and its ministry. May their work continue to bear great fruit.”

The central functions of a basilica are rooted in the sacramental life of the Church as a site of pilgrimage, an historical landmark, and a house of significant sacred art. The basilica title gives the Shrine certain privileges and responsibilities, principally the celebration of the feast of the Chair of St. Peter; the solemnity of the Holy Apostles, Peter, and Paul; and the anniversary of the pope’s election into pastoral ministry.

Additionally, since the designation denotes a special bond of communion with the residing pope, the Basilica Shrine can remove all temporal consequences of sin to individuals, which remain even after the person’s sin has been forgiven (plenary indulgence).

As a basilica, the Basilica Shrine will be outfitted with an umbrellino, a canopy of yellow and red silk; and together with a tintinnabulum, a bell mounted on a pole used for papal visits. The Basilica Shrine is also granted the privilege of displaying Vatican City’s coat of arms on its facade and the crossed keys of St. Peter on all its furnishings and liturgical appointments.

As a ministry of the Congregation of the Mission priests and brothers — commonly known as the Vincentians — the Basilica Shrine has held historical significance in the Philadelphia area, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and the Eastern United States for more than 140 years. The Vincentians, founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1625, arrived in Philadelphia in 1841, where they established a seminary in the city’s Germantown section, including construction of a chapel for use by the priests and seminarians. At the request of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Vincentians modified their plans for the chapel and in 1878 opened its doors for liturgical celebrations and pastoral assistance for the poor, working-class, and largely immigrant residents of the surrounding neighborhood, who at the time did not have a parish church.

In 1927, under the leadership of Father Joseph A. Skelly, CM, the Vincentians commissioned an expansion of the chapel for the creation of a shrine to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a title of the Blessed Mother originating with her apparitions to St. Catherine Labouré at the Rue du Bac Chapel, Paris, in 1830.

In 1930, Father Skelly established the Perpetual Novena of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a devotion that has been prayed at the Shrine every Monday since then and continues every Monday at the Basilica Shrine.

Chris Donahue, Editor-In-Chief, “The Catholic Spirit,” also cotributed to this article

Top of page and above left, interior and exterior photos of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia. The new designation followed an application process and culminated in a decree issued by Pope Francis, the Archdi ocese of Philadelphia announced Jan. 25. Middle photo, among the pilgrims who have visited the shrine are the Altar Rosary Society at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown. The group, which included Father Edward A. Czarcinski (left), pastor, and parishioners and members of other local parishes, is shown about to board a bus to visit the Basilica Shrine May 17, 2016. Above right, a statue at the Basilica Shrine depicts St. Catherine Laboure kneeling before an apparition of Mary. photos courtesy of Bernadette Olson and

Diocesan Events

Diocesan Lenten Mission, 6:30 p.m. Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen. A three-night encounter with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It will be based on “Behold” by Array of Hope in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. On March 8, Bishop James F. Checchio will celebrate Mass at 7:30 p.m.

Diocesan Youth Day – 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison. All high school aged teens are welcome. The featured speaker will be Father Malachy Joseph Napier, CFR, a selected Eucharistic Preacher from the USCCB’s National Eucharistic Revival. Bishop Checchio will celebrate a Sunday Mass at 5 p.m. Please register at https://diometuchen.org/yyam by March 6. For more information contact Megan (Vantslot) Callahan, director, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization, at mcallahan@diometuchen.org.

Foundations program based on the National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers and fulfills basic diocesan certification. Four sessions are beginning in March. Although this program is geared toward new PCLs, any PCL or Catechist is welcome and encouraged to attend. Sessions will be held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. March 9 – Professional Practice, March 16, Personal and Spiritual Maturity, March 23 – Liturgy and Sacraments, March 30 – Legal Issues. Anyone interested is invited to contact Carol Mascola at cmascola@diometuchen.org for more information.

2023 Choices Matter: Critical Life Issues Conference – “Building a Culture of Life Post Roe,” 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. St. John Neumann Pastoral Center. Opening Mass, 9 a.m. celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio. Cost $35, includes lunch and handouts. National speakers will be featured.

FOCCUS Facilitator Training – Marriage Prep, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by the diocesan Office of Family Life, the in-person program will be held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Deacon Greg Caruso, a certified FOCCUS presenter in the diocese will conduct this session. Participants attending this training will learn how to administer and interpret the new 4th Edition of the FOCCUS pre-marital inventory tool. The registration fee for this training session is $100 (includes the new 4th Edition FOCCUS manual and lunch). If you already have this manual you may bring it to the session and your registration fee will be $50.00 (includes lunch). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact amarshall@diometuchen.org or call 732-562-1543.

Diocesan Reflection Day for Black Catholics, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m St. Matthias Church, Somerset, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Multicultural Ministries. The day will include lifting in prayer six Catholic African American candidates to sainthood: Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA; Venerable Henriette Delille, SSF; Servant of God Julia Greely; Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, OSP; Venerable Pierre Toussaint; and Venerable Father Augustus Tolton. The day will also be a preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress in July 2023 and will include prayer and praise, personal reflection, group listening and reflection. Guided by the Holy Spirit, it will culminate in the collective wisdom of the people of God. Our diocesan delegates will take the pastoral concerns as well as the vision and prophetic call to action expressed at this gathering to the National Congress. For more information contact Sister Miriam Perez, coordinator for Multicultural Ministries at mperez@diometuchen.org or call 732-529-7933. To register, visit: https://diometuchen.org/2023nbc

Diocesan Programs

Adoration and Mass at Pastoral Center

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in the St. John Neumann

Pastoral Center chapel there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 to 11:45 a.m. followed by Mass. On Wednesday there is Mass at 11:45 a.m. Adorers are needed so Eucharistic Adoration can be offered before Mass begins. For more information, contact Angela Marshall at: amarshall@ diometuchen.org.

Catechism in a Year for Women

This virtual Women’s Group will meet each week on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. on Zoom for discussion of Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Catechism in a Year” podcast which began on January 8. For details, contact Cristina at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

“The Chosen” Study Series

All young adult engaged and married couples are invited to join in a virtual study series based on the hit series, “The Chosen.” A different episode will be discussed each meeting and virtual watch parties will be planned sporadically. Meetings take place every other Monday evening at 7p.m. on Zoom. For details or to join, please contact Cristina D’AversoCollins at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

RCIA Webinars

The diocesan Office of RCIA is offering online webinars on the various stages of RCIA. The schedule of talks include: The Triduum, March 7 facilitated by Sara Sharlow; The Mystagogy Period, March 28, facilitated by Russ and Janet Baker, RCIA Team, Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. Each of these talks are begin at 7 pm. To receive the zoom link, register at https://diometuchen.org/rcia.

Blue Rosary Guild

The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be

SELLING YOUR HOME?

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WINDOW & DOOR SCREEN REPAIRS

Installation of Fiberglass screens for your doors and windows. Pick-up and drop off services available. George & Sons: (908) 392-2677

Freelance Writers

The Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, is seeking freelance reporters to cover events and programs in the counties of the diocese: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren. E-mail resume and writing samples to: news@catholicspirit.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks an Editor-in-Chief to assist with the production of the monthly periodical. The ideal candidate will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the conception, design, production, and distribution of The Catholic Spirit. A background in communications and public relations is preferred. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org.

Advertising Sales Representative

The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks an Advertising Sales Representative to assist with the sale of advertising space. The ideal candidate will be responsible for initiating, developing, and closing sales of print media advertising in The Catholic Spirit by creating and building effective client relationships with area businesses and organizations. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org.

Searching For New Choir Director

St. Lawrence Parish, 345 Elmwood Lane, Riegelsville, PA is searching for a new Choir Director. Please see a more complete job description on our website.

610-749-2684 / saintlawrence@verizon.net / saint-lawrence-church.org

We are a small parish located in Upper Bucks County, 8 miles south of Easton, PA

Searching For New Director Of Sacred Music

The Director of Sacred Music position will be open at St. Joseph Church, High Bridge, NJ beginning Feb 1, 2023. Detailed Job Description is available upon request. Please e-mail (dasavare72@gmail.com) or mail a cover letter and resume to St. Joseph Church, 59 Main Street, High Bridge, NJ 08829.

For classified rates, or to book your ad, call Tiffany at (732) 243-4581 scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D’Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

Surviving Divorce

Surviving Divorce is a 12-week program beginning March 2, for men and women seeking healing from separation or divorce. For information contact Ro Bersch at 908-313-5947.

Around The Diocese

Fundraisers

March 25 and April 29, 6:30 p.m. – St. Jude Church, Blairstown. Springtime Bingo Nights, sponsored by the St. Jude Ladies Guild. Hot dogs, hot and cold beverages and other snacks available for purchase. Admission is $15. No one under 18 admitted. For more information, call Gladys at (862) 220-2693

April 14, 10:30 a.m. – Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, Bedminster. Lunch to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Center for Great Expectations (CGE). Guest speaker is Anne Thorton, author, and owner of MSI

Plumbing and Remodeling. Every guest will receive a free copy of her book. Vendors will have giftware, jewelry, accessories and novelties, homemade chocolates and more. CGE’s mission is to provide a safe place, presence and path for those seeking treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Tickets are $75. To buy tickets or become a sponsor call (732) 247-7003, extension 336

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