Called the “Second Founder” of the Franciscans, St. Bonaventure was a brilliant scholar dedicated to serving God in all things – whether he was washing dishes or preaching sermons! As we celebrate his memorial on July 15, we invite you to discover five facts about his life and discover where you can find him portrayed in the Basilica.

Every July, the Church celebrates many saints with feast days and memorials, honoring their unique contributions to the faith and reflecting on their lives of holiness. From the patron saint of Europe to the man who established the Jesuit order, they each have something to teach us.

On July 14, as we celebrate the Memorial of the Virgin Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, “the Lily of the Mohawks,” we invite you to discover five facts about her life, and where you can find her portrayed in the art of the Basilica.

In the second installment of our Walk Through Art series, learn more about three sacred art pieces that correspond to important Church celebrations and moments in the life of the National Shrine during the month of July.

In this second post in our Doctors of the Church series, we invite you to learn about three Doctors of the Church and their contributions to the faith. From Saint Basil, who bravely fought against Arianism, to Saint Ambrose, who resisted authoritarianism, each of these men helped shape the doctrine of the early Church and draw others closer to the truth of the Gospel.

As we approach Independence Day, we invite you to explore this collection of posts about the making of America’s Catholic Church, the American saints honored in the Basilica, the history of American Catholicism, and more!

With the election of a new pope, the name that is chosen is often reflective of the philosophy or theology – or both – that will guide the new pope. For this reason, it is worth pausing and thinking of the encyclical Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII, which is honored and remembered on the west side of the National Shrine.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist on June 24, we invite you to discover three art pieces where he is portrayed at the Basilica and reflect on his life and legacy.

Discover four places at the National Shrine where you can reflect and pray as we celebrate the special events and holy days of June – from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity to the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The National Shrine is delighted to announce the launch of a Deaf and Blind Tour Initiative, in order to offer those who are hearing and visually impaired an opportunity to experience the Basilica more fully.