Welcome to the Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world.  It is the nation’s pre-eminent Marian Shrine, dedicated to the patroness of the United States—the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception.

In 1990, Pope John Paul II elevated the National Shrine to the status of a minor basilica, bestowing this papal honor for its historical importance, dignity and significance as a center of worship and devotion and as an expression of a special union with the Holy Father.  On April 16, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI visited the Basilica during his Apostolic Journey to the United States.

Affectionately referred to as "America’s Catholic Church," the Basilica is open 365 days a year and receives an estimated one million visitors annually.  Six Masses are celebrated daily, and Confessions are heard five hours daily.  The Basilica is host to diocesan, ethnic, and group pilgrimages attracting pilgrims from around the country and around the world.  The National Shrine offers daily guided tours and operates a Catholic Gift Shop, a Catholic Book Store, and a cafeteria to accommodate its visitors.

Thank you for visiting the Basilica online.  We welcome you to visit us in person!

For information about the Pauline Year, June 2008 - June 2009, and the Celebration of the bimillennium of the birth of the Apostle Paul click here

For photos of the Holy Father's visit to the National Shrine click here

 

Our Regular Schedule

Sunday Masses 5:15 pm (Vigil), 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon (choir) 1:30 pm (en Español) 4:30 pm Sunday Rosary 1:10 p.m. (Crypt Church)	Daily Masses 7 am, 7:30 am, 8 am, 8:30 am, 12:10 pm & 5:15 pm Daily Rosary 11:45 a.m. (Crypt Church)
Sunday Confessions 10 am - 12 noon 12:30 - 1:30 pm (en Español) 2 - 4 pm	Daily Confessions 7:45 - 8:15 am 10 am - 12 noon 3:30 - 6 pm

Upcoming Special Events

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston PIlgrimage Indian American Catholic Association Pilgrimage Croatian Fraternal Union of America African National Eucharistic Congress Diocese of Pittsburgh Pilgrimage World Apostolate of Fatima - Children's Holy Hour Archdiocese of New York: Harlem Vicariate Pilgrimage Dedication of Our Lady of Pompei Chapel - Italian Chapel Diocese of Allentown Pilgrimage Diocese of Camden Pilgrimage Archdiocese of Washington Pilgrimage Diocese of Metuchen Pilgrimage Diocese of Brooklyn Pilgrimage Archdiocese of Washington - Mass for Movements Diocese of Providence Pilgrimage