Jul 12, 2008 8:22 am US/Central
Good Question: What Makes A Basilica A Basilica?
(WCCO)
Friday night, thousands of people were rocking out at the Cities 97 Basilica Block Party. It's been a tradition for 14 years. With everyone partying next to such a beautiful building, it got us to thinking about the Basilica.
We know it's different from a cathedral and from a small neighborhood church, but how? What makes a basilica a basilica?
Johan VanParys is the director of liturgy at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
"A basilica is actually a church which has been given a title of 'basilica' by the Pope. It's sort of like the Queen of England knighting a person," explained VanParys.
Basilica is an architectural term: a rectangular base with a dome at an end. But you don't have to be a basilica, to be named a basilica.
"You petition Rome and suggest 'For this reason we think this church should become a basilica,'" added VanParys.
He also said that if the Pope were to visit the area, he would be sure to visit the Basilica of St. Mary, because "this is his church in this area."
According to pastor John Bauer, certain places are designated as holy.
"I remember in Old Testament, that Moses approached the burning bush and the Lord said 'Take off your shoes, this is holy ground.' We believe this is holy ground," he explained.
The sanctuary's symbol looks a lot like a half-open umbrella with red and yellow stripes. VanParys said it's a symbol of the church waiting for the Pope to come by for a visit. So far, the Pope hasn't come.
"We're still waiting ... since 1926," laughed ValParys.
A Cathedral is the home church of the local Bishop or Archbishop. A basilica is the home church directly related to the Catholic Pope in Rome. There are more than 60 basilicas in the U.S.
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