What is a Minor Basilica?
The 1989 Vatican Document, Domus ecclesiae: Norms for the Granting of the Title of a Minor Basilica, delineates the features and responsibilities of all minor basilicas such as The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.
The word basilica is derived from a Greek term meaning “royal house.” In the Catholic world, a basilica is a church building that has been accorded special privileges by the pope. There are two kinds of basilicas. The world’s four major, or papal, basilicas are St. John Lateran, St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major, all in Rome. Minor basilicas are significant churches that meet certain criteria and are given special ecclesiastical privileges. Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship. A basilica must “stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy.”
Because designation as a basilica indicates a special bond of communion with the pope, the parish must celebrate “with particular care” the feast of the Chair of Peter on Feb. 22, the solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29, and the anniversary of the pope’s election or his inauguration into his pastoral ministry.
Ombrellino of Little Flower Basilica
Shield of Little Flower Basilica
Tintinnabulum of Little Flower Basilica
Three physical signs indicate that a church is a Minor Basilica:
The Ombrellino (or conopaeum) — a silk canopy designed with stripes of yellow and red, traditional papal colors.
The Tintinnabulum — a bell mounted on a pole and carried processionally, along with the ombrellino, at the head of the clergy on special occasions.
The Crossed Keys — minor basilicas have the right to display the papal symbol—crossed keys—on banners, on furnishings, and on the seal of the basilica.
Special Privileges of Minor Basilicas:
Pilgrimage — Plenary or Partial indulgences may be gained by the faithful for visiting sacred places, such as Little Flower Basilica, once a year, on a day chosen by the Christian faithful, or whenever they participate in a group pilgrimage and by devoutly offering prayers during the visit, under the conditions that that they also make sacramental confession, receive Eucharistic Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff (Pope Francis).
Red Letter Days — A minor basilica offers the opportunity for pilgrimage for visitors on certain holy days granted by the pope. These are called Red Letter Days. The faithful who devoutly attend Mass at Little Flower Basilica on one of these days may obtain a plenary indulgence under the conditions that they also make sacramental confession, receive Eucharistic Communion during the Mass, and pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff (Pope Francis). See our calendar of Red Letter Days here.