#59 D.C. Happenings and the Basilica

#59 D.C. Happenings and the Basilica

Monday September 30,2019

We had scheduled the Cherry Hill Night Tour for Monday night. We were apprehensive after the day tour.  The night tour was scheduled from 6 pm to 11 pm.  As it turned out Monday was rainy. On Monday morning we also put an RV call in about a warning light that came on during our drive here.  The repair place could take us now to assess, and then if we waited a bit for the next shift they could fix it.  So, seven hours from start to finish, we have a working sensor.  Had we chosen not to get it looked at the second sensor could fail and we would have a top speed of 5 mph.  Not a good idea considering our itinerary.  Lynn and Jay cancelled our Monday tour and set it up for Wednesday.

Tuesday October 1, 2019

Today was dedicated to the mobile repairman who came and fixed our blown middle AC. The parts he had ordered came in late so he didn’t start until noon.  All fixed…good to go.

For dinner Lynn, Jay, Derrille and I drove to Baltimore to join their granddaughter Heather for a dinner at Nick’s Fish House.

We had a lovely evening with Heather. I had hoped to meet her husband, but he was down with a bad cold.

Wednesday October 2, 2019

Derrille and I spent part of the day exploring the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Before entering the basilica I visited the Rosary Walk and Garden. Five arched sculptures stand on the walkway. 

Each archway includes 4 panels. The first, second and fourth panels tell the Joyous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  I'm not sure about panel number three, but they appear to be significant moments in the life of Jesus.   

The basilica sits on the grounds of the Catholic University of America.  The sign on this distinctive structure across the street states it is their Theology College.  I don’t know about the next building.

We were given a headset for a self-guided tour, but we didn’t use it much. Derrille did some while waiting for me to investigate the main church.  The lower level where you enter is called the Crypt Level.  The bishop here was the man whose idea made this a reality.

Mary with votive candles at her feet  fills the center area of the crypt.

Many statues of people important in the church fill some of the open spaces like Mother Theresa, Bishop Shehan, founder of the shrine, and Saint Elizabeth Seton.

The Basilica is dedicated to Mary, and altars depicting her various titles fill alcoves both downstairs and upstairs.  Every statue and alcove have been donated by someone.  Several features were given to the shrine by various popes.

A display of papal chairs occupies one end of the crypt.  Display cases include papal chalices and other personal items from several popes.

This is the Byzantine vision of Mary.

Our Lady of Hungary

Our Lady of La Vang Vietnam

Mary the mother of Africa

The chapel on the Crypt level was just starting a Mass.  The priest had incense, so I knew I couldn’t go in.

This is a side altar dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Then we went upstairs.  Oh My! Three domed ceiling filled with dazzling illustrations.  This one also has the four evangelists in the corners and is labeled the Trinity Dome

Another dome with the prophets in the corners.

Looking toward the back of the nave you see a tremendous number of pipes and what I assume is a choir loft.  An interesting relief fronts the loft. A second set of pipes stood above the altar, and someone was playing an organ there.

From the entrance doors looking toward the altar.  Then from in front of the altar. The back of the altar.

An altar faces the people near the front, and this canopied altar sits behind. Another domed ceiling is above.

You can walk all around the back of the altar. The alcove on the right shows St. Joseph.  Below Joseph are 5 small alcoves depicting the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Christ is on the back alcove.  His smaller alcoves depict the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

The left alcove shows The Woman Clothed with the Sun.  Her smaller alcoves show the Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary.

Looking from the altar toward the back.

Other views of the church.

I was surprised to see how big the area between the two altars really was, and the numbers of chairs were ready if needed for visiting dignitaries.

This Blessed Sacrament Chapel sits just off the main altar.

 

Mary Queen of Nations,  Mary ..Mother of Mercy, The Assumption, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal….as a child we all wore Miraculous Medal of our Lady.

Mary of Ireland was a gift of Ireland.

Our Mother of Sorrows

Our Lady of Fatima...I was surprised that they didn't include Bernadette.

Our Lady of Siluva, Lithuania

Every surface of the basilica offered an intriguing array of color and design.

The large gift shop equaled the impressiveness of the cathedral. It offered quality quality merchandise that befit the Basilica.  Fortunately since the RV has limited space my magnet is all I purchased.

A few shots of the neighbors on our way home.  I found it interesting that some duplexes chose to paint each side a different color.

Now on to our night tour.