Since 2019, the Basilica has published a variety of blog posts each week, covering everything from saints and Marian devotions to inspiring Scripture and immersive virtual tours. In the last seven years, we’ve shared over 340 verses and 360 saint and pope quotes; we’ve told the stories of 161 saints, offered 70 virtual tours, and asked 170 quiz questions. And this month, we are thrilled to celebrate the publication of our 1,000th post!
Whether you’re a long-time follower or brand-new to the blog, we hope that it’s a source of spiritual encouragement for you. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to explore 10 of our most popular posts from over the years.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace
Those who are in Christ are distinguished from unbelievers in that they have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to bear fruit. In other words, their works demonstrate the change of sanctification that is at work in their hearts. But what are these fruits, how does the Bible define them, and how are they displayed in our Christian walk? Learn more about the first three fruit of the spirit – love, joy, and peace – in this post.
10 Inspirational Quotes from Pope John Paul II
Did you know that Pope John Paul II was the first reigning pope to visit the National Shrine? Known as the “Pilgrim Pope,” he traveled around the world to share the Gospel in over 120 countries throughout his papacy. Not only was he a tireless advocate for the oppressed during the Cold War, but he also wrote extensively on the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. Though he has passed on, his words continue to inspire the faithful around the world to live boldly for Christ, embody His love, and protect the weak and the vulnerable.
10 Verses About God’s Mercy
Though we have all sinned, Christ in His mercy gave His life for us so that we could be freed from death and spend eternity with Him. In this post, we invite you to reflect on these 10 verses as we joyfully praise God, thanking Him for giving us freedom and hope in His son Jesus.
St. Monica: the Patron Saint of Mothers
Born in the 4th century, St. Monica is recognized as the patron saint of mothers. Her tireless prayer and dedication to motherhood played a pivotal role in the spiritual formation of one of the most brilliant philosophers and well-known saints of all time: St. Augustine. In this post, we invite you to learn about her life and discover where you can find her in the Basilica.
The Ultimate Women of the Bible Quiz
Throughout the Bible, God has appointed women for mighty purposes, raising them up as prophetesses and leaders in times of trouble, choosing them to serve Him in unexpected ways, and working miracles in their lives. With this quiz, you can test your knowledge about the women of the Bible!
Why did God ask Abraham to Sacrifice Isaac?
While the story of Abraham and Isaac is familiar to many, it is often misunderstood. On its surface, the account of Isaac seems unsettling, and raises questions of God’s goodness and consistency. What does this strange passage mean, and how does it apply to us today?
Virtual Tour: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Considered the major Marian apparition of the New World, Our Lady of Guadalupe is honored in the Basilica in a chapel in the Great Upper Church. With sinuous blue walls featuring a procession of saints and peoples carrying candles to Our Lady, this chapel brings the apparition to life in vivid detail. In this post, you can learn more about this beloved devotion and virtually explore the chapel where Mary is honored under this title in the Basilica.
Making the LEGO Basilica: A Conversation with Artist John Davisson
When pandemic lockdowns hit, John Davisson found himself itching for something to do. A LEGO enthusiast and Washington, D.C. resident, John was inspired by one landmark in particular: why not design and build a LEGO model of the largest Catholic church in North America? Two months and 8,100 individual parts later, John completed the first-ever LEGO model of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In this interview, learn what inspired him to undertake this impressive project, what his process was like, and more.
10 Fun Facts About the Architecture of the Basilica
How well do you know America’s Catholic Church? Do you know how many train cars it took to haul the limestone used to build the Basilica’s exterior walls, or how tall the Knights Tower Carillon is?
Built by generations of faithful American Catholics to honor the patroness of our nation, the National Shrine has been more than 100 years in the making. In this post, learn more about the construction process and discover 10 fun facts about the architecture of the Basilica.
Basilica Insider: Making the Trinity Dome
Called the “crowning jewel” of the Basilica, the Trinity Dome is the largest and final dome mosaic to be completed at the National Shrine, comprised of 14 million individual tesserae spanning 18,299 square feet. Follow the journey of its path to completion, from the early design and reverse-method tile process in Northern Italy, to the Basilica, where 13 floors of scaffolding were used to install the 24 tons of mosaic on the dome!