FLORIDA: The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

It was a sunny morning of December 8, 2015, a day which is recognized by the Vatican as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Together with my children, grandchildren and their uncle Al, we paid a visit, for the second time, to the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica located at 8300 Vineyard Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32821.

It was a very solemn moment of pilgrimage to this world-famous Shrine in the United States.

As we entered the main lobby of the Basilica, we turned to the left so that my grandchildren could see the Tableau of the Nativity.

Afterward, I went to pray inside the church and took some pictures of the main altar, the ceiling and other areas of the Shrine.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is a favorite destination not only of Catholics but also of tourists from all over the world. It is also recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the top travelers' choices or travel destinations in the United States.

According to its website, "the Basilica was long blessed by His Holiness Blessed Pope John Paul the Great.  People of all nations are welcome to Mary's beloved Shrine which is considered as a house that faith built, this ground now hallowed by the prayers and continuing sacrifices of Christ's faithful, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Enter friend, enter pilgrim. For herein lies a House of God...a spiritual refuge for all who seek comfort, uplift and renewal in union with Mary and her Divine Son. Lift up your eyes, your heart, come rest your soul in the presence of our Lord.  Come find peace."

The website of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe have narrated the history of the Church as follows:

1.  On August 22, 1990, the feast of Mary's Queenship, the ground was broken for the main church that would seat as many as 2,000 people, with standing room for many more. "We want this Shrine to be a temple," offered the new Bishop of Orlando, Most Reverend Norbert Dorsey, "a sacred place to give glory to God and honor to our mother." 

2.  By early 1992, construction teams were assembling the scaffold and setting in place upwards of 68,000 individual roof tiles. While below, craftsmen and other artisans worked to complete the church's 56,000 square-foot interior. 

3.  And, on January 31, 1993, before an overflow assembly of some 3,000 guests and members of the Shrine family joined for a historic, yet unofficial first mass. Said Fr. Harte: "This is what we have all dreamt about for so many years."

4.  Seven months later, on August 22, 1993, more than 2,500 Cardinals, bishops, priests and delegations representing the worldwide People of God joined to consecrate the new church. Bishop Dorsey proclaimed, "a day of great rejoicing" and asked God's grace upon all who would be drawn to the Shrine.

5.  As the 21st century dawned, visitors first looked upon the Shrine's signature sculpture of "Mary, Queen of the Universe." Given the commission to create a defining work that would represent Mary as Queen, acclaimed sculptor Jill Burkee saw as her task: "to breathe life into the rich white marble, evoking a new image of the world's great love, the model of humility, the simple girl of Nazareth." The result was a celebration as moving spiritually as it was artistic.

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The website of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, stated that "the signature statue of the Shrine, Mary, Queen of the Universe, is carved in white carrara marble, extracted from the quarry of Caves de Michelangelo in Pietrasanta, Italy.  The objective of the statue was    to depict a simple girl of Nazareth while representing the Queen chosen by God.  The overall design of the Madonna and Child achieves this objective.

The geometric purity of the Madonna's face maintains twentieth-century clarity while looking for a sense of continuity from the Renaissance.  The true lines and minimal detailing - a premonition of faith."

6.  In March 2011, the new Basilica welcomed its third rector, Very Reverend Paul J. Henry, who is today helping to extend the ministry's outreach and guide Mary's Shrine at the threshold of a Third Millennium in Christ.

St. Michael, The Archangel. 

For Touristang Pobre, this is the second time that he visited the Shrine. 

Photo by Nick O. 

Today, the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is a solemn Pilgrimage Site for Christians and Faithful of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

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All photos are by Touristang Pobre.

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Updated on February 6, 2018.