Celebrating Our Jubilee Year

On November 20, 2009, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will mark the 50th Anniversary of its dedication.

In keeping with the tradition of the Church, the Jubilee is celebrated for an entire year before the date, in this case, of the Basilica’s 50th Anniversary.

A Solemn Opening of the Jubilee Year 2008-2009 occurred on Sunday, November 16, 2008 with the celebration of Mass in the Great Upper Church by Rev. Msgr. Walter R. Rossi, Basilica Rector.

At that time, it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI granted a Plenary Indulgence for the period of the Jubilee, November 20, 2008-November 20, 2009.  For information on the Plenary Indulgence and its conditions, please click here.

In celebration of its Jubilee Year, the Basilica is hosting Pilgrimage Saturdays on the third Saturday of each month beginning February 2009 and ending in November 2009.  On the third Saturday of each month, from 3pm-4pm, the faithful will be guided on “pilgrimage” to select chapels and oratories of the Basilica.  Participants will join in the recitation of litanies, devotions, and songs in honor of Our Lady while “journeying" to each pilgrimage site.  For a complete schedule of Pilgrimage Saturdays, please click here.  If you were unable to join us or if you would like a copy of a previous program, please click here.

From September 2009 to November 2009, an Anniversary Exhibit featuring photographs artifacts and memorabilia of the history and construction of the Basilica will be displayed in Memorial Hall.

Finally, the Basilica will celebrate the closing of its Jubilee Year, as it did the dedication in 1959, with a Triduum.  This “three day” celebration will begin on Thursday, November 19, 2009 with the Plenary Mass of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at 5pm.  It will continue on Saturday, November 21 at 3pm, with the final “Pilgrimage Saturday”, and close with the celebration of Solemn Eucharist on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 12 noon in the Great Upper Church.

We welcome you to celebrate our Jubilee Year with us!