Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is a significant Catholic basilica located in Orlando, Florida, at 8300 Vineland Avenue. Its establishment was a direct response to the large number of Catholic tourists visiting the attractions in the Greater Orlando area, particularly after the opening of Walt Disney World. While serving as a church for the faithful of the Diocese of Orlando, offering Mass and sacraments, it has also evolved into a notable regional tourist attraction.

History and Development

The initiative to create a permanent spiritual center for visitors began in the 1970s. Following the grand opening of Walt Disney World, the Diocese of Orlando recognized the need for Catholic services for the growing number of international visitors. Masses were initially arranged at local hotels, and in 1975, Father Fachtna Joseph Harte was tasked with leading the tourism ministry. With projections of millions of annual visitors, Father Harte and Bishop Thomas Grady worked towards establishing a permanent location. Property was purchased in 1979, and the shrine was placed under the patronage of the Virgin Mary.

Groundbreaking for the first phase of construction occurred on December 8, 1984, coinciding with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This initial phase, completed within two years, included landscaping, a building for church services and offices, and a bell tower. The first phase was blessed on November 23, 1986.

The construction of the main church, designed to accommodate up to 2,000 people, commenced with a groundbreaking on August 22, 1990. Bishop Norbert Dorsey envisioned the shrine as "a temple, a sacred place to give glory to God and honor our mother," and "a spiritual home, a real hearth."

The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on January 31, 1993, with the official dedication following on August 22, 1993, again attended by Archbishop Pio Laghi. This dedication marked a "day of great rejoicing," with prayers for God's grace upon all who would be drawn to the Shrine.

Designation and Significance

The title "Mary, Queen of the Universe" is derived from Section 59 of Lumen gentium, a Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council (1964). This passage describes the Immaculate Virgin Mary being taken up into heavenly glory and exalted as Queen of the universe. The choice of title may also subtly allude to Orlando's proximity to Cape Canaveral, the launch site for America's space program, suggesting a connection between the heavens and spaceflight.

In 2004, Archbishop Thomas Wenski petitioned the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to elevate the Shrine from a diocesan to a National Shrine, a request that was granted. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops held their spring convocation at the Shrine in 2008. On July 17, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI officially declared the Shrine a minor basilica, recognizing its extensive ministry to the approximately half a million pilgrims and tourists who visit annually. It is the closest Catholic church to Walt Disney World and also ministers to Catholic workers at Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.

Artistic and Architectural Features

The Shrine complex encompasses several key areas, including the main church, the Rosary Garden, the Mother and Child Outdoor Chapel, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It also houses a Shrine Museum and a gift shop. Notable artistic elements include fourteen aisle windows titled "The Magnificat Windows," a bronze sculpture of the Mother and Child by Jerzy Kenar in the Outdoor Chapel, and an 8-foot-tall white marble sculpture of Mary and Baby Jesus by Jill Burkee, carved from Carrara marble. In 2015, a central door was designated as a Holy Door for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The basilica courtyard features a cast iron statue of Mary and Jesus known as the Salve Regina statue, originally designed in Germany in 1875 and previously located in the Netherlands for over a century before being acquired for the basilica in 1992.