The Rosary Basilica is the third of the churches to be completed on the site (after the Crypt and the Upper Basilica). It was designed by architect Leopold Hardy and completed in 1899. It was consecrated in 1901 and has a capacity of 1,500 worshippers. Its style is influenced by Byzantine architecture.
In 2006-7 the interior and exterior of the basilica were extensively renovated and the mosaics (many of which were deteriorating) were restored.
Nave
Interior view of the dome
The nave is open and circular, surmounted by a dome. The dome contains sixteen circular stained glass windows. The fifteen spaces between these windows signify the fifteen decades of the traditional rosary.
The sanctuary of the basilica looking towards the Sorrowful Mysteries
The nave is surrounded by fifteen smaller side chapels, one for each of the traditional Mysteries of the Rosary. On the left of the nave are found the Joyful Mysteries; in the centre behind the sanctuary are the Sorrowful Mysteries, and to the right are the Glorious Mysteries.
Each side-chapel comprises a large mosaic with a central image depicting the theme of that Mystery, and an inscription in Latin. Incorporated within the larger image may be smaller images of related themes. For example, the side chapel directly behind the altar contains a depiction of the Crowning with Thorns, which is surmounted by an image of the Ark of the Covenant (see figure).
Detail of a side chapel mosaic depicting the Pentecost
Most of the mosaics bear a date of around 1900. In each side-chapel is a small altar bearing six candles.
Mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary
In the upper wall of the sanctuary is a mosaic depicting Mary with outstretched arms and the caption Par Marie à Jésus ("Through Mary to Jesus").[2] This depiction, of a very young woman facing directly forwards, is much more in keeping with Bernadette's descriptions of the apparition than the iconic statue in the niche in the Grotto.
The gilded crown and cross surmounting the dome
The exterior of the dome is surmounted by a dramatic gilded crown and cross, which were a gift from the People of Ireland in 1924. The cross was regilded in 2000-2.
Façade
The Rosary basilica has a semicircular white marble entry facade, depicting Mary handing the Rosary to St. Dominic.
In 1941, the white marble side doors of the basilica were engraved with a message of gratitude to Marshal Philippe Pétain, who visited Lourdes in 1941 and allowed the Church to reclaim ownership of the Domain. In translation, this inscription read:
In memoriam 1940-41, on the morrow of our disasters, France is trying to rediscover her soul under the government of Maréchal Pétain.[3]
The exterior facade of the basilica has been modified in 2007 to include mosaics depicting the Luminous Mysteries, which were added to the traditional fifteen mysteries by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
^"Bienvenue au Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes (France)".
^Oliver Todd, The Lourdes Pilgrim, Matthew James Publishing, 2003, p. 44.
^ Harris, Ruth (1999). Lourdes: Body and Spirit in the Secular Age. London: Penguin Books. p. 136. ISBN0-7139-9186-0.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rosary Basilica.
The official Domain website, which includes maps and webcams
April 29, 2023
rosary, basilica, also, berlin, basilica, lady, rosary, french, notre, dame, rosaire, lourdes, roman, catholic, church, minor, basilica, within, sanctuary, lady, lourdes, france, main, theme, celebration, depiction, rosary, basilica, lady, rosary, lourdes, not. See also Rosary Basilica Berlin The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary French Notre Dame du Rosaire de Lourdes is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France Its main theme is a celebration and depiction of the Rosary Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Lourdes Notre Dame du Rosaire de Lourdes in French The Rosary Basilica from across Rosary Square Note the modified facade ReligionAffiliationRoman CatholicEcclesiastical or organizational statusMinor basilicaYear consecrated1901LocationLocationLourdesGeographic coordinates43 05 51 N 00 03 27 W 43 09750 N 0 05750 W 43 09750 0 05750 Coordinates 43 05 51 N 00 03 27 W 43 09750 N 0 05750 W 43 09750 0 05750ArchitectureArchitect s Leopold HardyTypeChurchStyleNeo ByzantineGroundbreaking1883Completed1889SpecificationsDirection of facadeECapacity1500 1 Length55 metres 180 ft Width50 metres 160 ft WebsiteOfficial website Contents 1 History 2 Nave 3 Facade 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe Rosary Basilica is the third of the churches to be completed on the site after the Crypt and the Upper Basilica It was designed by architect Leopold Hardy and completed in 1899 It was consecrated in 1901 and has a capacity of 1 500 worshippers Its style is influenced by Byzantine architecture In 2006 7 the interior and exterior of the basilica were extensively renovated and the mosaics many of which were deteriorating were restored Nave Edit Interior view of the dome The nave is open and circular surmounted by a dome The dome contains sixteen circular stained glass windows The fifteen spaces between these windows signify the fifteen decades of the traditional rosary The sanctuary of the basilica looking towards the Sorrowful Mysteries The nave is surrounded by fifteen smaller side chapels one for each of the traditional Mysteries of the Rosary On the left of the nave are found the Joyful Mysteries in the centre behind the sanctuary are the Sorrowful Mysteries and to the right are the Glorious Mysteries Each side chapel comprises a large mosaic with a central image depicting the theme of that Mystery and an inscription in Latin Incorporated within the larger image may be smaller images of related themes For example the side chapel directly behind the altar contains a depiction of the Crowning with Thorns which is surmounted by an image of the Ark of the Covenant see figure Detail of a side chapel mosaic depicting the Pentecost Most of the mosaics bear a date of around 1900 In each side chapel is a small altar bearing six candles Mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary In the upper wall of the sanctuary is a mosaic depicting Mary with outstretched arms and the caption Par Marie a Jesus Through Mary to Jesus 2 This depiction of a very young woman facing directly forwards is much more in keeping with Bernadette s descriptions of the apparition than the iconic statue in the niche in the Grotto The gilded crown and cross surmounting the dome The exterior of the dome is surmounted by a dramatic gilded crown and cross which were a gift from the People of Ireland in 1924 The cross was regilded in 2000 2 Facade EditThe Rosary basilica has a semicircular white marble entry facade depicting Mary handing the Rosary to St Dominic In 1941 the white marble side doors of the basilica were engraved with a message of gratitude to Marshal Philippe Petain who visited Lourdes in 1941 and allowed the Church to reclaim ownership of the Domain In translation this inscription read In memoriam 1940 41 on the morrow of our disasters France is trying to rediscover her soul under the government of Marechal Petain 3 The exterior facade of the basilica has been modified in 2007 to include mosaics depicting the Luminous Mysteries which were added to the traditional fifteen mysteries by Pope John Paul II in 2002 See also EditRoman Catholic Marian churches Our Lady of Lourdes Lourdes apparitions Bernadette SoubirousReferences Edit Bienvenue au Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Lourdes France Oliver Todd The Lourdes Pilgrim Matthew James Publishing 2003 p 44 Harris Ruth 1999 Lourdes Body and Spirit in the Secular Age London Penguin Books p 136 ISBN 0 7139 9186 0 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rosary Basilica The official Domain website which includes maps and webcams Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rosary Basilica amp oldid 1128804941, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
