The Curator’s Corner:

What is a Basilica? In the case of Mission Dolores, the honorary title of Minor Basilica was given by Pope Pius XII on February 8, 1952, at the request of then Mission Dolores Pastor, The Most Reverend (Bishop) Merlin J. Guilfoyle. There are two types (or ranks) of basilicas: Major and Minor. In the City of Rome, there are four Major Basilicas; they are: 1. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican; 2. St. John Lateran (the Pope's Cathedral Church); 3. St. Mary the Great, also informally known as the Basilica of Saint Mary Major; and 4. St. Paul Outside the Walls. Generally, for a church outside the City of Rome to be declared a Minor Basilica, it must meet one of two criteria: either a historical event took place there, or the church contains unique artwork. In the case of Mission Dolores Basilica, both criteria were demonstrated. The historical event, as just commemorated with the 250th anniversary of the Mission's foundation, Mission Dolores is considered the birthplace of modern San Francisco. And the stained glass windows, made in Munich, Germany, depicting the 21 upper Alta California Missions, are unique works of art. Once a church is designated a Basilica, it can proudly display two unique items. The first is the umbraculum. The umbraculum is one of the symbols bestowed by the pope when he elevates a church to the rank of minor basilica; the other is the tintinnabulum. The Mission Dolores Basilica umbraculum is made of yellow and red silk - the colors traditionally associated with both the Papal See and the city of Rome. You can see the Mission Dolores umbraculum located to the right of the High Altar near the altar dedicated to St. Joseph. The Mission Dolores Basilica tintinnabulum (bell) can be found to the left of the High Altar near the altar dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Both symbols would be carried side-by-side in procession.

 To be continued…..