America250
“This Shrine speaks to us with the voice of all America, with the voice of all the sons and daughters of America, who have come here from the various countries of the Old World…While their faith in Christ made all of them aware of being the one People of God, this awareness became all the more vivid through the presence of the Mother in the work of Christ and the Church.”
Saint Pope John Paul II, Address at the National Shrine, 1979
As we prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we invite you to join us at the Basilica in prayerful reflection and thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed upon our country. Whether you join us for a special Mass or devotion, partake of the Sacrament of Penance, or just wish to tour the Basilica on your visit to Washington, D.C., we hope your visit is rooted in prayer and draws you into a deeper relationship with God and our Blessed Mother.
“We gather this afternoon in the magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for those who have fallen in service to our Country. It is good to remember and to draw strength from their service in the hope that we might be able to imitate their devotion to comrades at arms and to the great virtues on which our Nation is built. Great deeds only inspire us in our individual vocations.”
Homily of Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, 2025
Join us Sunday, May 17, for the Annual Pilgrimage and Memorial Mass for the Archdiocese of the Military Services. Honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate price for American liberty, this pilgrimage features the Rosary, Vespers, and Mass. The Memorial Mass begins with the posting of the colors and singing of the National Anthem. It concludes with the playing of Taps. The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
“O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament, have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption.”
Collect on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi
On Saturday, June 6, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will visit Washington, D.C., during its yearlong America250 commemoration entitled “One Nation Under God.” Pilgrims and visitors are invited to take part in this historic pilgrimage stop at the heart of our nation where we celebrate the heart of our faith: the Eucharist.
Join us at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica, for the Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
This Mass will be livestreamed at www.nationalshrine.org/Mass
“The designs of his Heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”
Entrance Antiphon for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops voted in 2025 to consecrate the United States of the America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As the premier Marian Shrine and patronal church of the United States, located prominently in our nation’s capital, the National Shrine will stand at the heart of this consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Consecration will occur during the 5:15 p.m. Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.
This Mass will be livestreamed at www.nationalshrine.org/Mass
“Father of all nations and ages, we recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask for your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth.”
Collect for the Optional Memorial of Independence Day
On July 4, we welcome those travelling to Washington, D.C. to commemorate Independence Day by visiting the National Shrine. As the nation celebrates its founding, all are invited to gather in prayer here at America’s Catholic Church.
The 12:10pm Mass will be celebrated by His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington.
This Mass will be livestreamed at www.nationalshrine.org/Mass
More at Mary’s Shrine
Visit the Basilica Blog to learn more about the Basilica’s identity as America’s Catholic Church.
Visit our Events Page for more events and Mass times.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: David Ball & Emma Whitten
July 5
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the first performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on July 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. We welcome David Ball and Emma Whitten of Orange, CA, to kick off the series.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Iris Lan
July 12
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the second performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on July 12 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Iris Lan of Washington, D.C., will perform.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Woosug Kang
July 19
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the third performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on July 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Woosug Kang of Nashville, TN, will perform.
A Hymn in Stone: Sacred Music from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
July 21
Great Upper Church
As part of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians 2026 Convention, the Choir of the Basilica will present a concert entitled: A Hymn in Stone – Sacred Music from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Gabriele Studer
July 26
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the fourth performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on July 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Gabriele Studer of Alba, Italy, will perform.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Lynn Trapp
August 2
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the fifth performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on August 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Lynn Trapp of Baltimore, MD, will perform.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: John Mitchell
August 9
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the sixth performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on August 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. John Mitchell of Reston, VA, will perform.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Andy Brown
August 16
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the seventh performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on August 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Andy Brown of Philadelphia, PA, will perform.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Peter Latona
August 23
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the eighth performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on August 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Peter Latona of Washington, D.C., the Director of Music at the Basilica, will perform.
2026 Summer Organ Recital Series: Adam Chlebek
August 30
Great Upper Church
Join the Basilica for the ninth and final performance in our 2026 Summer Organ Recital Series on August 30 at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Upper Church. Adam Chlebek of Washington, D.C., the Assistant Director of Music at the Basilica, will perform.
Annual Memorial Mass for Father Vincent Capodanno
September 3
Crypt Church
Join us on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. for the Annual Memorial Mass for Father Vincent Capodanno (Servant of God). His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services, U.S.A., will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
Veneration of the Relics of Saint Bernadette Soubirous
September 18-20
The Basilica is pleased to host for veneration the relics of Saint Bernadette Soubirous (of Lourdes) from September 18-20, 2026. St. Bernadette was a young girl in Lourdes, France, when, in 1858, the Blessed Mother appeared to her and declared: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Solemnity of All Saints
November 1
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints.
Anniversary of the Dedication of the National Shrine
November 20
Join the Basilica as we celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the Dedication of the National Shrine.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Patronal feast day of the Basilica and of the United States of America, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. in the Great Upper Church.
