Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal -- Philadelphia, Pa.

Destination: We featured the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in 2015 to look ahead to the World Meeting of Families, held in Philadelphia that year. 

It’s now time for an update because of a small yet significant name change made in the last week of January, one that has brought “great joy” to the Philadelphia Archdiocese, according to Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez: the Vatican has elevated the shrine to the status of minor basilica. 

The Vatican decree recognizes the Marian shrine’s historical significance in the eastern U.S. and its over-140 years of ministry by the priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). 

Masses are at 9 a.m. Sunday; 12:05 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 9 a.m., 12:05 and 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Photo: The Vatican designated the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal as a minor basilica Jan. 25. (OSV News photo/ courtesy Central Association of the Miraculous Medal)

Why to go: Only one other church in the city of Philadelphia shares this basilica designation. But what does it mean?

Churches are noted as minor basilicas to recognize their historical or cultural importance, artistic beauty and significance in the life of the Church. The title also denotes a closer relationship to the pope. 

That connection to the pope will bring two additions to the shrine’s interior for papal visits. Keep an eye out for an ombrellino, a canopy of yellow and red silk (like an umbrella); and a tintinnabulum, a bell mounted on a pole. 

The shrine has much to see and do; join the Miraculous Medal Perpetual Novena, which has continued each Monday uninterrupted since 1930; visit the gift shop; or head to the nearby Art Museum of the Miraculous Medal Shrine at 475 E. Chelten Ave. The museum (temporarily closed) holds over 400 pieces of Marian art. Call 215-848-1010 to check hours or make an appointment. 

Admission: Visiting the shrine is free; gift shop prices vary. A form at https://miraculousmedal.org/visit-us/visit-form/ will help shrine staff with planning your visit. A secure parking lot is available (and open to buses) at Magnolia St. and Chelten Ave. The shrine is also easily accessible by public transportation. 

Accessibility: Parts of the shrine are wheelchair-accessible (through separate doors), but there are stairs to the main shrine entrance and some parts of the interior are raised. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! 

Info: Address — Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 

Phone — 215-848-1010 

Website — https://miraculousmedal.org/

—Provided by OSV News. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Photos/ http://cammonline.org)

Destination: An outgrowth of a devotion to Mary, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was established for the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia. The CAMM was formed in 1915 and directed by its founder, Father Joseph Skelly, CM. Each Monday since 1927, nine novena services are held. Check the website for details.
Masses  are 9 a.m. Sunday; 12:05 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 7 and 9 a.m., 12:05 and 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Photos: Left--The shrine is housed in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
Right--A mosaic at the shrine shows an image of the first apparition of Mary and the medal to St. Catherine Labouré in Paris, Nov.  27, 1830.
Why to go: The shrine on the west side of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, which had been dedicated to St. Vincent de Paul, was enlarged, remodeled and rededicated to Mary the Immaculate. Father Skelly, considered it the “center and heart” of CAMM.
Hours: During the World Meeting of Families, Sept. 20-28, shrine hours are Monday: 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 8-10 a.m. The website lists regular hours. There will be historical tours on Saturdays until Oct. 3.Extras: Near the shrine is the the Museum of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, containing more than 500 pieces of religious art, ranging in date, technique, origin, and subject. The museum is at 475 E. Chelten Ave. Museum hours are 1-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, or by  appointment by calling 215/848-1010.
Accessibility: As the top picture shows, there are stairs to the main shrine entrance, but it is accessible to the handicapped.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — Miraculous Medal Shrine, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 Phone — 215/848-1010 Web — http://cammonline.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Vatican Splendors - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(CNS photo)

Destination: Planning to head to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September? Make time to see works of art and rare artifacts from the Vatican while you are there. Philadelphia is the only announced destination for the exhibit, which will be on a two-city North American tour.
While there are no Masses at the Franklin Institute, check www.worldmeeting2015.org/plan-your-visit/places-worship to find some. 
Why to go: More than 200 works of art, 40 percent of which have never been shown publicly anywhere, are part of the “Vatican Splendors” exhibit opening Sept. 19 at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute. (If you don’t go right away, you’ll have time to visit the exhibit later. it’s running through Feb. 15, 2016, in Philly.)The nearly 10,000-square-foot exhibit, organized into 11 galleries, will consist of significant objects collected by Vatican Museums over the span of 2,000 years.
It includes objects from the ancient St. Peter’s Basilica and tools used in the construction of the 16th-century basilica and the Sistine Chapel; artwork by Michelangelo; historical maps, signed documents and a bas-relief sculpture; works by Baroque masters such as Bernini and Guercino; intricately embroidered silk liturgical vestments; uniforms of the papal Swiss Guard; artwork that dates to the first century; and bone fragments of SS. Peter and Paul as well as relics discovered at their tombs.
The photo shows a statue of St. Paul from the Vatican collection.

Hours: There will be daytime, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and evening, 5-9 p.m., exhibit hours with different non-member ticket prices for each session. Group rates are also available. Onsite parking is limited. Check the website for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely.
Info: Address — The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103  Phone — 215/448-1200 Web — https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/vatican-splendors

— Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send Destination ideas to SeasonedObserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Catholic World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, Sept. 22-27, 2015. Learn more about the meeting at www.worldmeeting2015.org/. This is one of several shrines in the Philadephia area that we’ll highlight before the meeting. 

(Photo http://cathedralphila.org)

(CNS photo/Nancy
Phelan Wiechec)

Destination: On April 8, 1808, Pope Pius VII established Baltimore as the first archdiocese in the United States and created four new dioceses: Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Bardstown, Kentucky. This September, the now-Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be the host of the World Meeting of Families and Pope Francis will be there. 
Regular Mass times at the cathedral are Saturday 7:15 a.m., 12:05 p.m. in the chapel and 5:15 p.m. in the basilica; Sunday 8 a.m. English and 12:30 p.m. Spanish, chapel; 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., basilica; Monday-Friday, 7:15 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Mass times may vary if you go during the World Meeting of Families, so check locally.
The photos show the second-story windows and art (left) and the dome (right) of the cathedral.

Why to go: The historic church, open since 1864, features a carved walnut organ screen casing in the choir loft. The website says, “The richly ornamental screen is the design of Otto Eggers, who also designed the Jefferson Monument, the Mellon Art Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art, all in Washington, D.C.”
Anti-Catholic sentiment was high in Philadelphia when construction began on the cathedral, so it was designed without windows at street level to discourage vandals. The design is based on the Lombard Church of St. Charles (San Carlo al Corso) in Rome, and is an example of Roman-Corinthian architecture. Cast bronze doors leading to the narthex and bronze handrails were added in a 1950s renovation.
There’s an audio tour of the cathedral basilica for MP3 players. It’s about 20 minutes long and you can download it free from the Visitor Information page (under About on the home page).

Special events: The cathedral basilica is celebrating its 150th year and three more choral concerts are scheduled in May. Details are at http://cathedralphilaconcerts.org/events/

(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are always welcome.

Info: Address: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215/561-1313 Web: http://cathedralphila.org/

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas toseasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Photo/www.SaintRitaShrine.org)

The Catholic World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, Sept. 22-27, 2015. Learn more about the meeting at www.worldmeeting2015.org/. This is the second of several shrines in the Philadephia area that
we’ll highlight before the meeting.
Destination: The National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia is in the south part of Philadephia, near its Italian Market. It is dedicated to St. Rita, a 15th century wife, mother, widow and nun. She is known as a peacemaker, as someone who  helped others seek reconciliation and who aided those in difficulty.
Masses are offered Saturday at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m.; Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m.; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Why to go:  Philadephia’s Archbishop Patrick Ryan established the parish in 1907 after receiving a large donation from Lucas Burke. The parish was entrusted to the Augustinian Friars, who continue serving the shrine community today. After serving the city’s immigrants and its changing neighborhoods for 80 years, it had fallen into disrepair. Renovation began in the 1990s, leading to its recognition as a national shrine in 2000.
The shrine is home to a variety of art­ — including sculpture, stained glass and more — that highlights the life of St. Rita. Plan your visit by checking the virtual tour on the shrine website.
Amenities: There is a gift shop. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and after Mass until 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Special events: Beginning last month and continuing through May 2015, the Augustinian friars at the shrine are offering a healing Mass at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.
Admission: Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mission is closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children over 7, free  for children under 6.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are welcome, as they would be to any church.
Info: Address: National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia, 1166 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19146. Phone: 215/546-8333. Web: www.SaintRitaShrine.org

 - Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of St. John Nepomucene Neumann - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Photo/www.stjohnneumann.org)

The Catholic World Meeting of Families will be held in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, Sept. 22-27, 2015. Learn more about the meeting at  www.worldmeeting2015.org/. In future issues, we’ll highlight shrines in the Philadephia area.
Destination: The national shrine at St. Peter the Apostle Parish (in photo) is the final resting place of St. John Nepomucene Neumann. Born in Bohemia, he came to America in 1836. He was ordained a priest in New York the same year, served as the fourth bishop of Philadelphia and was declared a saint in 1977 by Pope Paul VI.
Masses are offered in the lower church Monday-Saturday at 7:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. (in Spanish), and 3:30 p.m.; and in the upper church at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Why to go: The parish is where St. John Neumann asked to be buried. He was the first priest to profess vows as a Redemptorist in the U.S. and he wanted to be buried near the priests of his order. His body can be viewed in the lower level church, near the Shrine Museum. 
As a young man, he knew he wanted to become a missionary to America, so he learned English. Having studied Italian in seminary in Boehemia, he used that knowledge to minister to Italian immigrants. He founded the first national parish for Italians in the U.S. He also learned enough Irish to hear confessions in that language.
St. John also unified Philadelphia schools in a diocesan system and founded the Third Order of St. Francis of Glen Riddle.
Though St. John never lived at the church where he is buried, he visited there often. Built to serve a German immigrant population, it was consecrated in 1847, five years after property was bought for the parish.
Amenities: A gift shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Admission: Shrine hours are Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Museum hours are Monday-Friday, 8a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Depending on the time of year you visit, school may be in session. Visiting youngsters should be a little quiet as they visit the church and museum.
Info: Address: The National Shrine of St. John Neumann, 1019 N. Fifth St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Phone: 215/627-3080 . Web: http://www.stjohnneumann.org/shrine.html

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org