Basilica of Regina Pacis
| Basilica of Regina Pacis | |
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| Location | 1230 65th Street Brooklyn, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Minor Basilica |
| Architect(s) | Anthony J. DePace |
| Style | Italian Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | October 3, 1948 |
| Completed | 1951 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Brooklyn |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio |
The Basilica of Regina Pacis (Latin for Queen of Peace) is a Catholic parish church located in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, New York, part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. The church was dedicated in 1951, built as a votive shrine, forming a part of the Parish of St. Rosalia-Regina Pacis. It is considered the "Mother Church of Italian immigrants" of the diocese.[1]
The church was raised to the status of a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2012.[1]
History
In May 1942, during the course of World War II, a vow was made by the entire congregation of St. Rosalia Parish to build a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother for the safe return of the men of the parish and country from the battlefields of the war and for a just and lasting peace.[2]
Ground was broken for the construction of the church on October 3, 1948, with the cornerstone being blessed on October 29 of the following year by Bishop Raymond Kearney, auxiliary bishop of the diocese. The church was completed in 1950, built in the style of the Italianate Renaissance Revival architecture, and an image of Mary was enthroned over the main altar. It was built entirely in marble from various parts of Italy, with two pulpits, after the manner of Italian cathedrals.[2]
The shrine was dedicated on August 15, 1951 by the Bishop of Brooklyn, Archbishop Thomas E. Molloy. The image was honored on May 24, 1952 by the addition of two diamond-studded crowns attached to it, which had been personally blessed by Pope Pius XII. This was done at a major ceremony presided over by Archbishop Molloy.[2]
The Miracle
Just eight days after the coronation of the image, the crowns were found to have been stolen. People flocked to the church to pray for their safe return. The number of visitors was estimated at the time to have reached some 12,000 people. The crowns were returned a week later through the postal system. The people of the parish have always held this to have been a miracle.[2] The jewels were allegedly returned at the behest of local organized crime figure Joseph Profaci.[3]
Current status
Over the decades the population of the neighborhood surrounding the church has undergone a marked change, with new immigrant groups, primarily from Latin American and Asia, replacing the original Italian residents. Today Mass is offered at the church not only in English but in Spanish and Chinese.[2]
Basilica
In 2011 the current Bishop of Brooklyn, Nicholas di Marzio, made a request of the Congregation for Divine Worship in Vatican City that the church be honored by designation as a basilica. In November 2012, while the New York City region was recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, the bishop received notice that the Holy See had approved this request.
A Mass to mark this honor was celebrated at the church on December 8, 2012, presided over by the bishop.[1]
References
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
- Roman Catholic churches in New York
- Churches in Brooklyn
- Basilica churches in the United States
- Italianate architecture in New York
- Italian-American culture in New York City
- Roman Catholic churches completed in 1951
- Marian shrines
- Roman Catholic congregations established in the 20th century
