Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — Attraction in Washington

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE MARBLE STEPS!! I sent this email to the folks at the Basilica TWICE at 2 different addresses and received no response, so I am posting my email here in hopes that it will help someone from falling, like my niece did. To Whom it May Concern, I am sending you this email as a courtesy to please mark your front marble steps with tape so that you will not be sued by someone who falls on them, as my niece did on November 29, 2024.

I booked tickets for my sister, my niece, and I to tour the National Shrine on November 29, 2024 from 1-2 pm. As we were running late, I asked my sister and niece to go ahead and check in while I paid for the metered parking. After I parked, I found my sister and my niece at the front doors of the Basilica and asked why they had not gone in. My sister explained that my niece (her daughter) had fallen on the marble steps since the steps were not marked as 2 steps with some sort of yellow or black tape. My niece is visually impaired and has fine motor difficulties. She is able to walk because she has gross motor skills, but she is not able to catch herself when she falls. Additionally, my niece did not see that the marble steps were 2 steps and so she tripped on the first one because she thought there was only one step. My niece fell and hit her head. She had a large welt over her left eyebrow.

At this point, I entered the Basilica and looked for someone to assist us--no employee was in sight. Then, I found a stairwell that led downstairs and I found an information desk--again, no employee was in sight. I entered the gift shop and waited patiently for the cashier to finish the transaction with the customer and explained the situation and asked for assistance. The cashier directed me to the other side of the building with another information desk, so I walked to the other side. I saw the information desk--again no employee was in sight. I went inside the other gift shop and found a cashier who was not engaged with a customer. I explained the situation and he led me to an employee desk outside. We waited for the employee to finish talking on the phone and then explained the situation. The employee then told us to find the security guards inside the cafeteria. The cashier and I walked to the cafeteria and found 2 security guards, sitting. I explained the situation and one of the security guards led me to a room, while I waited in the hallway. After awhile, he came back out with a glove filled with ice and gave it to me. He told me that we should have gone through the side doors, as there was an elevator.

The security guard was polite, but not particularly helpful, other than giving me a glove filled with ice. He did radio the security guard on the 2nd floor, but when I returned, my sister and niece were still outside and my niece was crying and her glasses were broken. My experience trying to find assistance in the Basilica was frustrating. I would encourage you to train your employees to provide better assistance to visitors who fall and need assistance.

Needless to say, we did not stay and visit the Basilica that day. Instead, we went to find an optical shop to repair my niece's glasses.

I realize that my timing in locating assistance may have been a fluke, but it was indeed a frustrating experience. I know that there is a handicapped entrance, but it is only marked with an arrow by the parking lot and a visitor's eyes are drawn to the large entrance doors at the top. Please mark your marble steps with yellow or black tape so that visually impaired guests who miss the handicapped entrance do not fall...

The Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the East Portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception overlooking the Mall of The Catholic University of America on Sept. 23, 2015, stands as a symbol of the close relationship between the National Shrine of the Catholic Church in America and the Church’s national university.

Towering behind the outdoor papal altar that was specially designed by Catholic University architecture students was the largest Catholic church in North America and one of the 10 largest churches in the world. The cross atop the Great Dome of the Basilica rose 237 feet above the pontiff. The dome, made of blue and yellow polychrome tiles and 108 feet in diameter, provided a beautiful background image for attendees’ photos, as well as their memories.

When Pope Francis looked out at the congregation he had an impressive view of his own — the landscape and architecture of the largest and greenest college campus in Washington, D.C. Framing the Mall, he saw some of the University’s most historic buildings, such as the Collegiate Gothic-style Father O’Connell Hall (built in 1914) and Gibbons Hall (built in 1911) and the Romanesque-style McMahon Hall (built in 1892).

To anyone witnessing this historic moment there was no divide between the University and the Basilica. The historic outdoor papal Mass took place in one spectacular location.

The Basilica, once part of the University, is now a separate entity. But the two Catholic institutions share a close and seamless relationship. “The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is integral to our University community,” says President John Garvey.

”It not only adds to the beauty of our campus, but to our faith life as well. From regular Sunday worship in the lower Crypt Church to our University-wide Mass of the Holy Spirit in the Great Upper Church that marks the beginning of our academic year to our annual Commencement ceremonies, the Basilica is the setting for many of the University’s most important moments,” says Garvey.

With support from Pope Pius X in 1913, Bishop Thomas J. Shahan, the fourth rector of Catholic University, launched a fund-raising campaign that culminated in the laying of the cornerstone of a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sept. 23, 1920 — exactly 95 years before Pope Francis became the first pontiff to celebrate Mass at the Basilica. The first Mass was held in the National Shrine on Easter Sunday 1924. The Crypt Church was completed in 1926. The Great Depression and World War II put construction of the Great Upper Church superstructure on hold. The National Shrine incorporated separately from the University in 1948. Construction resumed in 1955 and was completed in 1959.

“Since the inception of the Shrine, the University and the National Shrine have been intimately involved, especially regarding the spiritual life of the University,” says Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Basilica rector. “To this day we continue to collaborate with annual events such as the Christmas Concert for Charity, student convocations, the Mass of the Holy Spirit, and Commencement exercises.”

“It would be hard to imagine the University without the Basilica,” adds Garvey. “We are fortunate to share such a strong relationship with ‘America’s Catholic Church’...

Beware of the Basilica Visitor parking Lot We went to the Basilica on April 19th, 2022, the first day of our DC vacation. We parked at the church parking which has cameras and a security guard. We were driving from CT and had all our luggage in the car. We wanted to run in quick into the church and start our trip with a prayer. The security at the parking just waived us in. We went to church saw how majestic and beautiful it was. When we came out of church we were shocked as our car windows were broken and we were robbed. We ran to talk to the guard and a landscaping person told us he just left. I called 911 and they told me that in DC police will not come to help us. We ran back to the church to ask the security to help us, and they just shooed us away and would not even open the doors. We had to clean the glass with our hands and the landscaper seeing this, gave us gloves. Another lady was in the parking lot gave us phone numbers of mechanics around. My young kids learnt some hard truths on this day. The police who should be there to protect and serve never turned up. The church that talks about helping people never even opened their doors. But random strangers tried to help us. I have been calling the church asking for security footage. I keep getting a response that they need their camera person to still investigate it. I gave them date and specific time. I ask anybody new to DC to be safe and not assume that the church parking is safe seeing that it has a guard and cameras all around. When I called the church security and spoke to Mr. Wharton head of security and I told him our experience, he said this happens a lot. I wish the guard could have informed us that this happens. I don’t understand why they could not have signs in the parking about theft. I have still not heard from Victoria from the Basilica, with whom I have left messages asking if they could inform other patrons using the church about this safety issue and if their security could be of some help to people who are in this kind of situation. My children are still scared every time we park. This was a horrible and terrifying experience in the designated parking lot of a massive church with...