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THE BASILICA IS OPEN
365 Days a Year
6:00am-6:00pm daily
Daily Masses
7:00am, 8:00am, 12:10pm, and 5:15pm
Saturday Masses
7:00am, 8:00am, 12:10pm, and 4:30pm (Sunday Vigil)
Sunday Masses
7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am,
12:00pm, 2:30pm (en español),
and 4:30pm
Upcoming Events
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40 Hours Devotion
March 12 - March 14On March 12-14, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will once again host the annual Lenten…
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Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 15We invite you to join us for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Saturday, March 14 Time: Location and additional information:…
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Dedication of the Outdoor Way of the Cross
March 15 @ 12:00 pmJoin the Basilica on Sunday, March 15, 2026, for the celebration of the 4th Sunday of Lent. The 12:00 Noon…
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WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR
Rector’s Welcome
A word of welcome to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — America’s Catholic Church.
Most Recent Blog Posts
What are the Seven Penitential Psalms?
March 11, 2026
Have you ever wondered how the Seven Penitential Psalms were selected? According to Church tradition, it was during the seventh…
10 Places to Find St. Joseph Portrayed in the Basilica
March 11, 2026
On March 19, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the patron of the…
The National Shrine Shops Spring 2026 Collection
March 10, 2026
This spring, the staff at the National Shrine Shops have curated a list of their bestselling items for the Easter…
VISIT US
Tours
Learn about the Shrine’s history, architecture, sacred art, and more, through our audio and guided tours. Reserve tours for large groups.
Sacred Music
Through our sacred music at the National Shrine, we strive to transform hearts and minds through the power and beauty of music in the Roman Catholic Liturgy.
AMERICA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
The History of the National Shrine
Although its foundation stone was laid in 1920, this great shrine seems to have been conceived of as early as 1846, the year the Bishops of America declared the Blessed Virgin Mary the patroness of the United States under her title of the Immaculate Conception.
ENROLLMENTS & DEVOTIONALS
Light a Candle
Lighting a candle for loved ones or personal intentions is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church. We invite you to join us in this tradition by lighting a candle at the Basilica.
Art & Architecture
With over 80 chapels and oratories honoring the Mother of God and representing peoples from every corner of the globe, the Basilica reflects the cultural diversity of the United States.
Allow Mary’s Shrine to pray for you
Enrollments & Devotionals
Mary’s Shrine is a living place of prayer and worship. The prayers we offer for you, your family, and your friends are one of the many ways that we fulfill our important mission as a national sanctuary of prayer and pilgrimage.
Each day we pray for people from across the United States and around the world and present their needs to the confidence and loving intercession of Our Lady.
