Basilica of Regina Pacis

The Basilica of Regina Pacis, whose name translates from Latin to "Queen of Peace," is a significant Catholic parish church situated in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

Origin and Dedication

The church was conceived and built as a votive shrine during the tumultuous period of World War II. In May 1942, the then-pastor, Angelo R. Cioffi, inspired his congregation to erect a shrine dedicated to Mary, under her title of Queen of Peace. This was intended as a prayer for the safe return of the parish's and the nation's men from the battlefields and for the attainment of a just and lasting peace. The parishioners embraced this vow, establishing a building fund that also included plans for a new convent and an expansion of the parish school.

Construction and Design

Construction for the church commenced with ground-breaking on October 3, 1948, and the cornerstone was blessed the following year. Completed in 1950, the Basilica of Regina Pacis was built in the Italianate Renaissance Revival style. It was notable for being one of the few air-conditioned churches in America at the time. The interior is adorned with marble sourced from various regions of Italy, featuring two pulpits designed in the manner of Italian cathedrals. A striking 52-foot high ceiling mural, measuring 60 by 27 feet, depicts the Coronation of Our Lady Regina Pacis in Heaven. This extensive work, completed over three years by Italian artist Ignacio LaRussa in Rome and New York, also includes depictions of Pope Pius XII, various saints devoted to Mary, a choir of angels led by St. Michael, and the Holy Spirit. LaRussa also created two flanking oval paintings illustrating the Assumption of Mary and the Resurrection of Jesus. An image of the church's patron saint, painted by Ilario Panzironi, was placed above the main altar. The shrine was formally dedicated on August 15, 1951, by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy of Brooklyn.

The Jeweled Crowns and Miraculous Recoveries

A unique aspect of the basilica's history involves two diamond-studded crowns intended for the image of Mary and her son. Following the blessing of the cornerstone, parishioners donated personal jewelry, including wedding rings, for the creation of these crowns. The collected valuables were transformed into the crowns and stars, a process that took three years. These were personally blessed by Pope Pius XII in Rome and presented to the image on May 24, 1952. Just eight days later, the crowns were stolen, leading to widespread prayer and an influx of an estimated 12,000 visitors to the church. The crowns were recovered a week later via the postal system, an event the parish collectively considers a miracle, with local accounts attributing the return to organized crime figure Joseph Profaci. The crowns were stolen a second time on January 10, 1973, and were recovered 12 days later after the FBI received a tip.

Modern Significance

Over the decades, the Bensonhurst neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts, with new immigrant groups, primarily from Latin America and Asia, joining the community. In recognition of its spiritual importance and service to diverse populations, the church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2012, while the region was still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The diocese officially established the basilica as the parish church in June 2017. Today, Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, and Chinese, reflecting the vibrant multicultural fabric of the surrounding area.