Newly designated basilica is cause to rejoice

What started as an itinerant ministry for Catholics at tourist hotels in the late 1970’s became a national shrine and is now a minor basilica.

Bishop Thomas Wenski, center, flanked by representatives of the Knights of Columbus and Knights of Peter Claver, processes into the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando Aug. 22. Bishop Wenski was the principal celebrant for the celebration of the Eucharist solemnizing the designation of the shrine as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. Following the bishop is Father Robert Webster, who was master of ceremonies.

RANDY HALE | FC
Bishop Thomas Wenski, center, flanked by representatives of the Knights of Columbus and Knights of Peter Claver, processes into the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando Aug. 22. Bishop Wenski was the principal celebrant for the celebration of the Eucharist solemnizing the designation of the shrine as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. Following the bishop is Father Robert Webster, who was master of ceremonies.

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Posted: 08.25.09

ORLANDO | The jubilation was pervasive and palpable, at times bordering on giddy. Pope Benedict XVI elevated the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando to the status of minor basilica and on Aug. 22, the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2,000 people overwhelmed with the significance of the occasion gathered to celebrate.

All smiles, Father Edward J. McCarthy, left, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, and Msgr. Joseph Harte, founding rector, process out of the basilica after the celebration of the Eucharist and designation of the shrine as a minor basilica. Bishop Thomas Wenski walks behind them.

RANDY HALE | FC
All smiles, Father Edward J. McCarthy, left, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando, and Msgr. Joseph Harte, founding rector, process out of the basilica after the celebration of the Eucharist and designation of the shrine as a minor basilica. Bishop Thomas Wenski walks behind them.

“This is a wonderful day – a day of rejoicing for our Church as well as for our diocese,” proclaimed Bishop Thomas Wenski.

As a basilica, the shrine now has status of a home-away-from-Rome for the pope.

“We are all extremely grateful that Pope Benedict XVI has seen fit to raise this church to the dignity and status of a minor basilica,” Bishop Wenski said. “As the visible head of the Catholic Church throughout the world, the pope is, in a very real way, the pastor of the world. So it is indeed fitting that Mary Queen of the Universe is given the dignity of being a basilica because for the thousands of visitors who come here from everywhere, it is a parish church for the whole world.”

And they did come from near and far to hear the tintinnabulum, the papal bell, ring in the entrance procession, to see the red and yellow ombrellino, the symbolic umbrella made of the papal colors and bearing the pope’s coat of arms, and to be a part of the celebration of so much more.

“Both of my brothers have passed and have memorial plaques here on the Mother and Child Chapel wall,” shared Kimberly Walter of Essex Fells, N.J. “I absolutely had to be here for this celebration.”

Twenty-five young adults scurried to find seats – two paused long enough to explain, “We thought it was important that we celebrate the Church,” said Mary Miller, the president of Catholic campus ministry at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. And Elijah Albright chimed in, “This is history in the making. I love our pope with all my heart. He’s an amazing leader who inspires me to live out my masculinity to the fullest.”

Dominic Buckley, standing, Ben Lehnertz, kneeling right, and Nicholas Tocco, center, seminarians of the Orlando Diocese, are captured in a moment of fervent service.

SKIP STOWERS | FC
Dominic Buckley, standing, Ben Lehnertz, kneeling right, and Nicholas Tocco, center, seminarians of the Orlando Diocese, are captured in a moment of fervent service.

The ministry to tourists (of which this basilica is a part) began when Bishop Thomas Grady appointed Father F. Joseph Harte (who was raised to monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 2004) as director. With vestments and sacramentals of Mass borne in the trunk of the car, Father Harte traveled to hotel meeting rooms, corridors, even poolside to offer Sunday Masses. In 1984 construction of the first permanent structures began and on Aug. 22, 1990, ground was broken by Bishop Norbert Dorsey to begin construction of the church. (See a photograph from the dedication in 1993 here.)

There was still another cause for celebration; this date also marked the sixth anniversary of Bishop Wenski’s appointment to the diocese as coadjutor bishop. “It’s hard to believe there was a time I wasn’t here,” Bishop Wenski reflected. “I feel like I’ve been here forever.”

“During my six years here in Orlando,” Bishop Wenski said, “I have been privileged to bless the beautiful bronze doors and statue of St. Peter and to celebrate the designation of this shrine as a national shrine and now as a basilica.

“However, in all these years – and through all these bishops – there was one man who had the vision and the ability to garner the support of thousands of volunteers and donors to bring the vision to reality. Msgr. Harte, I hope that you see the designation of the shrine as a basilica also as a tribute to you and to your hard work over the years as the founding rector.”

It was truly a worthy celebration. The sanctuary was laden with flowers in the papal colors, incense wafted as did prayers, lifted in song led and accompanied by the basilica orchestra and choir. The gathered community of priests, deacons, seminarians, religious and laity was blessed and sprinkled with holy water.

“It could not have been more perfect,” said Dominican Sister of Hope Sister Gloria Hillman of St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota, who chose to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her final profession of vows by bringing a busload of 47 people from throughout the Venice Diocese.

“I can’t begin to tell you how the people were overwhelmed with the beauty of the liturgy. Everything worked together like a perfect fit. I am still crying tears of joy,” she said.

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