Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Lourdes Notre Dame du Rosaire de Lourdes (in French) | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Minor basilica |
Year consecrated | 1901 |
Location | |
Location | Lourdes |
Geographic coordinates | 43°05′51″N 00°03′27″W / 43.09750°N 0.05750°W |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) | Leopold Hardy |
Type | Church |
Style | Neo-Byzantine |
Groundbreaking | 1883 |
Completed | 1889 |
Specifications | |
Direction of façade | E |
Capacity | 1500 [1] |
Length | 55 metres (180 ft) |
Width | 50 metres (160 ft) |
Website | |
Official website |
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (French: Notre Dame du Rosaire de Lourdes) is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Its main theme is a celebration and depiction of the Rosary.
The Rosary Basilica is the third of the churches to be completed on the site (after the Crypt and the Upper Basilica). It was designed by architect Leopold Hardy and completed in 1899. It was consecrated in 1901 and has a capacity of 1,500 worshippers. Its style is influenced by Byzantine architecture.
In 2006-7 the interior and exterior of the basilica were extensively renovated and the mosaics (many of which were deteriorating) were restored.
The Rosary basilica has a semicircular white marble entry facade, depicting Mary handing the Rosary to St. Dominic.
In 1941, the white marble side doors of the basilica were engraved with a message of gratitude to Marshal Philippe Pétain, who visited Lourdes in 1941 and allowed the Church to reclaim ownership of the Domain. In translation, this inscription read:
In memoriam 1940-41, on the morrow of our disasters, France is trying to rediscover her soul under the government of Maréchal Pétain.[3]
The exterior facade of the basilica has been modified in 2007 to include mosaics depicting the Luminous Mysteries, which were added to the traditional fifteen mysteries by Pope John Paul II in 2002.