Talk:Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception/Archive 1

Exterior Image for the Basilica
Would anybody that lives near Washington DC be willing to take some pictures of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and GNU or public domain them for this article? — Preceding unsigned comment added by The enlightenment (talk • contribs) 20:05, 30 November 2005 (UTC)

Sure. I'm a CUA student--I can take some this weekend and post them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 136.242.131.68 (talk) 00:34, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

WikiProject class rating
This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 15:06, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

Tallest building in DC
This article should note that the Basilica is either "second tallest structure in D.C." or the "tallest building in D.C.", but not the "second tallest building". The Washington Monument is a taller structure, but is not considered a "building" per se, and that's noted on the List of tallest buildings in Washington, D.C. article.-- Patrick {o Ѻ ∞} 18:45, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

Why no icon?
I have always heard from various people at the Basilica who claim that the church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception but the main Altar is dedicated to Christ. Supposedly, this is based on some ancient custom practice in earlier Basilicas.

Can someone further expand on this topic? Why are there so many Catholic Churches in America who have no devotional icons of their dedicated saints---and its always put away in some dark corner rather than being celebrated.

I also noticed that the statues here in America are less ornate and less human-like due to modern design?

Devotees can't seem to get in touch with these icons if they aren't relatable. It's just not similar like in Latin America or Spain, where the Catholic devotion is much more intense.

Even on the televised Mass of the Immaculate Conception Day the Basilica, the rector placed "Our Lady of Grace" statue on front instead of a traditional Immaculate Conception statue. Hopefully someone can explain why this is so at the Washington Basilica? — Preceding unsigned comment added by LoveforMary (talk • contribs) 02:33, 3 February 2012 (UTC)
 * Have you actually been to the Shrine yet? The main altar is has a huge representation of Christ because that is what everything is about.  It is about Christ.  Elsewhere throughout the Church are numerous representations of Mary.  The first side altar in the entire church is the chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. I am not sure which Mass from the shrine you were watching but it was probably a Mass dedicated to that particular observance.  All the observances of Mary are to the same person so honoring her in the other formats is the same as honoring her in the form of the Immaculate Conception.  Of course this entire thing is close to being more of a forum answer then improving the article.Marauder40 (talk) 13:50, 3 February 2012 (UTC)

I was there in 2002, just for a brief tour when my family went to Washington driving from Virginia. The only thing I remember was your Jesus Christ is all-American, blonde hair and blue eyes which is very non-traditional. I don't like this. I like Mother Angelica's shrine better in Hanceville Alabama better, the atmosphere and architecture is more pious and their statues have ornate gems and golden crowns. Just saying. I know this is not a forum. I added the mosaic donated by Pope Pius XI. It's nice. Bah. LoveforMary (talk) 21:07, 3 February 2012 (UTC)LoveforMary