Holy Hill-National Shrine of Mary was named a minor basilica by the Vatican. Archbishop Dolan made the surprise announcement at a special Mass on Sunday. The Mass was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Discalced Carmelite Friars.According to the Waukesha Freeman,
A petition was filed in May last year and forwarded to the Milwaukee Archdiocese, then went on to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C,. and then the Vatican, where Pope Benedict XVI had a final say.
The designation means if a pope were to arrive in the county, he could say Mass at Holy Hill - National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians.
In order to achieve basilica status, a church must be constructed according to a certain floor plan, have a staff of several priests and designate a "holy door," which is opened only during times of special pilgrimages.
There are 55 minor basilicas in the United States, the closest being the Basilica of Saint Josaphat in Milwaukee, which was elevated by Pope Pius XI in 1929.
