Pilgrimage to "Historic Saint Mary's" in Lancaster

Saint Mary’s is the fourth oldest church in the original thirteen colonies, following the Maryland, Philadelphia and Conewago missions.  Its long history reveals the important part it played in the beginnings of Roman Catholicism n this country.  In Colonial America, Catholics faced persecution, rugged terrain, and constant obstacles.  The church was consecrated in March of 1854 in the presence of Bishop John Neumann (now St. John Neumann).  Nearly all of the works of art in the church came about through the inspiration and effort of the parish’s 26^th pastor, Rev. Dr. Peter J. McCaullagh.  In 1885, under his direction, the entire exterior and interior were renovated and transformed.  The sanctuary was enlarged and the Gothic arches were constructed, with new side altars replacing former storage rooms.  These new side chapels were formed after Saint Peter’s in Rome.  The choir loft was lowered and spiral staircases added.  The reconstruction of the organ, with its large front pipes ornamented with gold leaf, was one of the main attractions.  In the late 1880’s, Fr. McCullagh commissioned the creation of the stained glass windows , the marble altars, the marble statues of Mary and St. Anne and St. Joseph, the relief-sculptured Stations of the Cross, and the three altar paintings, done by Italian artist Fillipo Costaggini in 1886.  Mr. Costaggini was famous for completing the paintings on the frieze encircling the Rotunda of the capitol building in Washington, D.C.  

 

St. Mary’s (or, the official title, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) was granted a special spiritual bond with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on February 5, 2009, and with it comes the privilege of a Plenary Indulgence for each member of the faithful who makes a pilgrimage to the church under the normal conditions (confession, communion and no attachment to sin).  Bishop Rhoades had requested the privilege following an invitation by the archpriest of the papal basilica to bishops around the world.  In announcing the granting of the spiritual bond, Bishop Rhoades told The Catholic Witness, “Saint Mary’s Church in Lancaster is one of the most historic and beautiful churches of our diocese.  The original chapel was the third place of public Catholic worship in Pennsylvania.  This parish, and indeed our whole diocese, is honored by the wonderful privilege bestowed upon St. Mary’s Church – the special spiritual bond with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.  

The Basilica of St. Mary Major is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is one of the four great papal basilicas, along with St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. John Lateran.  The basilica’s construction was inspired by the Council of Ephesus in 431, which proclaimed Mary as the Mother of God.  It is the only patriarchal basilica in Rome to have kept its original structure.  

This special relationship between St. Mary’s in Lancaster and the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome demonstrates the unity and universality of the church.  As Baptism and reception of the Most Holy Eucharist makes us one in Christ, this communion is manifested in other ways.  For example, we are gathered and strengthened by our Bishop who is a successor to the apostles and unites us to the Body of Christ in a unique way.  Now, this extraordinary connection between these two churches in Lancaster and Rome also testifies to the unity of the universal Church.