Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Not Just for Catholics

For many Catholics, a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a dream come true. The National Shrine, snugly located in our nation's capital, is one of the largest churches in the entire world. Each year, the National Shrine welcomes nearly 1 Million pilgrims and tourists from the U.S. and around the world. One doesn't need to be Catholic, however, to take in the beauty and peace within the Basilica's walls. Indeed, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception welcomes everyone, including non-Catholic tourists, to enjoy the quiet peace contained within its walls.

What the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception can offer a non-Catholic

The National Shrine attracts the faithful from all over the world, as well as casual visitors to the D.C. area. Tourists are welcome and come en force to see the quiet beauty and breathtakingly beautiful mosaics which are situated all throughout the Shrine.

The architectural elements of the National Shrine are interesting enough to give pause. The church is constructed in a Romanesque-Byzantine style with no steel structural beams for support. It is made only of stone, brick, tile and mortar. Visitors can expect to see many arches throughout and the dome is Byzantine in look with its shape and bright design made with tiles.

The Crypt Church below has a cozy feel to it as it was designed to be similar to catacombs. It is not well lit, so flash photography is a must. Inside the Crypt Church, visitors will enjoy wandering around and enjoying the mosaics, bronze art and other statues. It seems as if every nook and cranny is presented as an opportunity for silent prayer. Visitors are asked to observe silence when the Holy Eucharist is present, making the Crypt Church a silent sanctuary. The ceiling is just as enjoyable from an art and architectural perspective, so be sure to look up as well as around when visiting the Crypt Church.

The Upper Church is brightly lit and also features mosaics, both on the walls and on the ceiling. Be sure to view the mosaic behind the altar in the north apse titled Christ in Majesty, which contains more than 4,000 shades and colors. It may be more difficult to obtain pictures of the art in the Upper Church because of Mass offerings. Mass if offered six times a day, 365 days per year, which can make snapping pictures a bit more difficult or intrusive. However, for those wanting to see the Upper Church and all of its wonderful objects d'art, the schedule of Masses should be consulted to avoid conflict.

Guided tours are offered daily, but many forgo that option and instead wander around on their own, taking the time to visit the chapels and view many exhibits, including items from past Papal visits. Baseball fans may be interested in viewing the marble memorial dedicated to Babe Ruth by Alpha Delta Gamma, National Catholic College Social Fraternity.

Though there are many museums in Washington, D.C. that are free, it is worth noting that the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception does not charge admission and ample free parking (virtually unheard of in D.C.) is available nearby. Non-Catholic tourists or art lovers should put the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on their must-see D.C. attractions list if only to view the mosaics.

Sources:
Personal experience
http://www.tiles.org/pages/tilesite/nsic/nsic.htm
http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/c.osJRKVPBJnH/b.4747303/k.C02F/Visit.htm
http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/c.osJRKVPBJnH/b.4764147/k.9FF6/Architecture.htm
http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/c.osJRKVPBJnH/b.4747627/k.B88F/Masses.htm