Throughout her life, Mary faithfully trusted in God’s plan – from the moment Gabriel appeared to her, to the day she witnessed her Son sacrifice His life on the cross. This week, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, we reflect on Mary’s role in the redemption story and her faithful acceptance of God’s will for her life. In today’s post, discover how she’s honored as the Mother of God in the art and architecture of the Basilica in immersive 360° – take the virtual tour below!
Our Lady of La Vang
Dedicated on October 21, 2006, the Chapel of Our Lady of La Vang stands in memory of the Vietnamese Catholics persecuted during the 18th century, who looked to the Blessed Mother for protection after fleeing to the La Vang jungle. The main focus of the chapel is a five-foot-tall statue of Our Lady of La Vang, depicted holding the Christ Child and wearing the same cloak as she wore in her appearance to the Vietnamese people. Featuring Argentina Blue, Red Carrara from Northern Italy, Oriental Black, and Portuguese marbles, this statue is made with a unique multi-marble style, which only a handful of the world’s artists can produce.
Our Mother of Sorrows
Located in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica, the Chapel of Our Mother of Sorrows features a life-size marble sculpture of the Pietà, depicting the sixth of the Seven Sorrows: Mary holding Jesus as He is taken from the Cross. The other sorrows are sculpted in bronze and flank the Pietà. This chapel was a gift of the Slovak Union of the United States and Canada, and the text: “Our Mother of Sorrows, Virgin Mary, Patroness of the Slovak People, Pray for Us,” is inscribed in Slovak above the altar.
Our Mother of Africa
The Our Mother of Africa Chapel is centered around a bronze sculpture of the Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child, who points toward the narrative relief of the African-American experience from slavery to emancipation. The relief sculpture culminates in a mother and father stepping out of the relief and lifting their arms to Christ on the cross.
A gift of the National Black Catholic Congress, this chapel stands in remembrance of the painful history of slavery in the United States and the pillar of hope which Our Lady represented to many victims of this tragedy.
Mary, Queen of Ireland
Dedicated to Mary, Queen of Ireland, this oratory features a statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child upon a hexagonal rock formation representing the Giant’s Causeway: the basalt columns that jut out of the sea along the coast of Northern Ireland. Mosaics and carvings which honor the heritage of Irish Catholics ornament the marble walls, while the alabaster window depicts themes of Irish devotion to the Blessed Mother and pilgrimage.
Incised on the north wall is a map of Ireland with its four modern provinces, dominated by a figure of Saint Patrick, and featuring the monasteries of Irish missionaries who sailed across the Atlantic to spread the Gospel.
Our Lady of Pompei
Located in the Great Upper Church of the Basilica, the Our Lady of Pompei Chapel features a mosaic recreation of the painting of Our Lady of the Rosary displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Pompei. This depiction portrays Mary against a backdrop of shimmering gold, with 12 stars encircling her head. Sitting on her knee is the infant Jesus, who holds a Rosary in one hand. The chapel is adorned with a crucifix that was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to the Basilica, as well as depictions of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
Source:
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.
