Basilica of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Lewiston New York)

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For the Basilica in Fátima, Portugal, please see: Our Lady of Fátima Basilica

Basilica of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
Basilica Lewiston NY.jpg
Basilica of The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
43°12′0.5538″N79°0′17.03″W / 43.200153833°N 79.0047306°W / 43.200153833; -79.0047306
Location Lewiston, NY
CountryUnited States
Denomination Roman Catholic
Tradition Latin Rite
Website National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
History
Status Minor basilica
Dedication Blessed Virgin Mary
Dedicated1965
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural type Church
Style Modernism
Administration
Diocese Buffalo, New York
Clergy
Bishop(s) Sede vacante
Rector [Barnabite Fathers]

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is a Modernist Minor basilica and US National Shrine of the Roman Catholic Church, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Fatima, the Patroness of the United States. The shrine is directed by The Barnabite Fathers. It is located at 1023 Swann Road in Lewiston, New York, USA, north of Niagara Falls. [1]

Contents

History

In the mid-1950s the Catholic Polish and Italian communities in the Niagara Falls region joined together. They sought to support the Barnabite Fathers, a missionary order working the area. The group set out to create a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima.

First among the many Shrine benefactors were Mr. & Mrs. Walter Ciurzak who, in 1954, donated 16 acres (65,000 m2) of their farmland for the construction of the Shrine. in Lewiston. At that time, the shrine began with just one humble statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Later, in 1960, the shrine that exists today was founded. [2]

The church was started in 1963 and dedicated in 1965.

On October 7, 1975 Pope Paul VI conferred the title of Basilica upon the church. Thousands of pilgrims from around the country and the world visit the basilica each year.

Notable Features

The basilica is located on 16 acres of land. The Basilica is highlighted by a magnificent dome that measures 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 the 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.

A 48-foot (15 m)-tall bell tower was built during the 25th anniversary year, 1981, and is dedicated to the memory of Barnabite Father Charles M. Barlassina, who served at the shrine. [3]

Other highlights include:

Renovation

In 2008, a $6 million renovation was undertaken. It was the first major renovation and addition in over fifty years. The rector, Father Julio Ciavaglia of the Barnibite Fathers, collaborated with architects for the design of 7,400 sq.ft. of additional space. The overall focus for this work brings the old world artisan experience with the use of granite stone walls, arched doorways, stained glass windows, structural wood beams and copper roofs to the shrine.

The renovation included a new ambulatory space around the front entrance to provide a separation between the main domed basilica and the exterior. This space provides an area for visitors to experience the basilica and the adjoining chapels without interrupting an ongoing service. The existing Sacristy along the rear of the building was removed and replaced with a 2,260 sq. ft. addition for small gatherings and to show the historical compilation of religious relics that have been collected by the Barnibite Fathers. [5]

See also

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References

  1. "National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima". Catholic Travel Guide. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  2. Official Web Site
  3. "Catholic Travel Guide" . Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  4. "Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima" . Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. "Shrine Renovation" . Retrieved April 18, 2020.