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Hours of Operation

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

  1. Image of the Great Upper Church decorated for Christmas

    The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Eve)

    December 24

    We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The Solemnity of the…

  2. An image of the Great Upper Church decorated with flowers for Christmas

    Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

    December 25

    “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name…

  3. Banner image featuring the Altar in the Great Upper Church, in front of the Christ in Majesty Mosaic, decorated for Christmas

    2025 Christmas Dinner

    December 25

    The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will provide meals for hundreds of poor, homeless, elderly, and…

1
Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi
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

Watch: The Basilica Choir’s 2025 Christmas Concert Video

December 21, 2025

This past week, the Choir of the Basilica presented the concert: “Follow the Star: Sacred Choral Music for the Christmas…

READ MORE

5 Facts About Christmas at America’s Catholic Church

December 19, 2025

What does Christmas look like at America’s Catholic Church? As we celebrate the birth of Christ each year, we take…

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4 Things to Do at the Basilica This Advent and Christmas

December 16, 2025

Whether you wish to bask in the heavenly music of the Basilica Choir or contemplate the miracle of the Nativity…

READ MORE

docent leading guided tour showing domes in great upper church
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.

first mass in crypt church
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.

basilica visitor lights candle
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.

basilica front exterior with red and white flowers
statue in great upper church
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.