0010 The Basilica of Our Lady of Victory Series
by Michael Frank Jr
Title
0010 The Basilica of Our Lady of Victory Series
Artist
Michael Frank Jr
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/Basilica/bashistory.html
A Brief History of the Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine
A true architectural wonder, the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory stands as a tangible
symbol of one man's unshakable faith and devotion to his patroness, Mary. It is a place
of wondrous beauty, radiating hope to all those who arrive at its doors in desperate need.
Its hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and mosaics dazzle the senses and evoke awe in even
the hardest of hearts. But, above all, the Basilica is a gift of thanks. A gift, offered by
Msgr. Nelson Baker, V.G., to his helpmate, Our Lady of Victory, for more than 50 years of
inspiration and spiritual assistance.
The Gift
The year was 1921. Although Father Baker was 79 years old, he was still a visionary with great dreams --
and he had one more that needed attention. At a routine parish council meeting, the humble priest shocked
all in attendance as he calmly unveiled ambitious plans for a shrine that would rival any within the U.S.
Speaking before an astonished crowd, Father Baker outlined his desire for the finest materials and artists
to come together for a true masterwork -- a way of paying homage to the Blessed Mother who provided him with
so much throughout the years. Astounding all with his infectious vigor, construction was begun almost immediately.
Knowing that he had not set aside a penny for the new shrine's building did not seem to upset him either, as Father
Baker was confident that Our Lady of Victory would again look kindly upon him -- and She did. The "Padre of the Poor"
sent out a call of support and it was answered by thousands of citizens from around the nation, happy to support such
a divine project. Some contributed through the Association of Our Lady of Victory, Father Baker's pioneering direct-mail
fundraising club (via per-brick sponsorships of $10), while countless others sent offerings both large and small.
By late1925, construction of the great Sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory was completed and the first Mass was held there on
Christmas of that year. Amazingly, when it opened the following year, the Basilica had no debt, having been completely paid
for at a cost of $3.2 million. On May 25, 1926, a very special consecration ceremony took place. Attended by thousands of local
dignitaries, priests, nuns, and well-wishers, the event was presided over by Father Baker, Bishop William Turner of the Diocese
of Buffalo, and Cardinal Patrick Hayes. Within two months an even higher honor was bestowed upon the shrine as it was officially
designated a Minor Basilica via an apostolic decree from Pope Pius XI. Father Baker's greatest dream had been realized: the gift
had been given
Through the Years
Although the Basilica has seen many years, it has not seen too many changes. Only three events have altered the original design of
the shrine significantly.
In 1941, a freak and violent lightning storm caused major damage to the Basilica's original twin towers. Father Baker's first successor,
Msgr. Joseph Maguire, led the efforts to refurbish the structures, replacing the marble towers with the lower, enclosed, copper-dome-tipped
towers that can be seen today.
The only other change to the Basilica's exterior took place some 60 years later. Piles of snow and ice caused by the harsh winter of
2001-2002 took its toll on the National Shrine, forcing Msgr. Robert Wurtz to replace the shrine's greenish-hued roof. When the Basilica
was first built, the dome and the roof were made of a shiny copper, but, over time, those features turned green due to prolonged exposure to
the elements (the same chemical change seen on the Statue of Liberty). A new copper roof was put up, and although, it doesn't match the other
greenish highlights, the structure will begin to turn colors in upcoming years and is expected to blend right in with the other sections of
copper in about 50 years.
Father Baker Comes Home
March 11, 1999, was a date which would see a profound change in the shrine, and in the minds of thousands of Western New Yorkers. It was
on that day, that Father Nelson Baker came home.
In July 1998, Msgr. Robert Wurtz, pastor of OLV Parish announced that the earthly remains of Father Baker would be transferred from nearby
Holy Cross Cemetery into his most beloved of creations, the OLV Basilica. The move, which was ordered by the Congregation for the Causes of
Saints in Rome, would help raise awareness of Father Baker, his mission, and his legacy. On that brilliant morning in March, Father Baker's
casket, carried by six men who were raised by the Padre of the Poor himself, was placed in a sarcophagus within the Grotto Shrine to Our Lady
of Lourdes, found on the southern end of the Basilica's transept. A truly unique area, the Grotto is hewn out of black lava rock from Mount
Vesuvius in Italy. At the time of its construction, Father Baker insisted on finding a material that was untouched by humans to pay tribute to
the vision of Our Blessed Lady to St. Bernadatte in Lourdes, France. It is estimated that nearly 6,000 people passed through the Basilica's
doors that day just to honor the humble priest and all of his accomplishments.
Today & Beyond
In 2001, a celebration 75 years in the making was held as the OLV Parish celebrated the National Shrine's Diamond Jubilee. As the 75th
Anniversary of consecration approached, a committee of parishioners and OLV Institutions' staff members banned together to plan a truly
special day. On May 26, a special Mass was followed by a dinner party, at which hundreds of dignitaries, clergy members, and friends came
together to celebrate the OLV Basilica and its saintly founder, Father Nelson Baker.
Today, the Basilica continues to draw close to 2,000 visitors every month. Pilgrims and well-wishers of all faiths from every state gather
to offer prayers to Father Baker, enjoy a calm moment of reflection, or just to admire the breath-taking architecture. The future will no
doubt hold even more promise, as Father Baker advances down the long Path to Sainthood. Beatification (the next step and the second of three
in the process), would, in itself, cause attendance to jump, while canonization is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to Lackawanna and its wondrous shrine.
Simply stated, the OLV Basilica is what it is: a shrine of unparalleled beauty, a place for all to dream, hope and believe in. But it is
also this: a gift offered by a humble servant to a provider of great things, the Blessed Mother. It is, and ever will be, a symbol of
Father Baker's steadying faith and a dream that was very much worth dreaming.
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November 21st, 2012
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