Basilicas? Shrines?

[BListon]

I know what a Parish Church is, because my Church is a Parish Church, and I know what a Cathedral is, but what exactly are Basilicas and Shrines, and what makes them different than a Parish or a Cathedral?

 

[YoungTradCath]

A basilica is basically a church with an honorary title. It is privileged to have an umbraculum and tintinnabulum–respectively a ceremonial umbrella and bell–in it which can be carried for solemn processions. Its pastor can wear a special kind of choir dress while in the basilica itself.

 

[Ladygem]

a shrine commemorates a specific Holy person, place, or event, and has relics related to that person, place, or event. So Lourdes and Fatima have shrines dedicated to Our Lady’s appearances there, and a shrine to a specific saint will usually have the body or part of the body of that saint.

 

[Big_Feet]

A basilica is basically a church with an honorary title. It is privileged to have an umbraculum and tintinnabulum–respectively a ceremonial umbrella and bell–in it which can be carried for solemn processions. Its pastor can wear a special kind of choir dress while in the basilica itself.

a shrine commemorates a specific Holy person, place, or event, and has relics related to that person, place, or event. So Lourdes and Fatima have shrines dedicated to Our Lady’s appearances there, and a shrine to a specific saint will usually have the body or part of the body of that saint.

So, It is my understanding that Rome, or the Pope himself bestows the title “Basilica” on a church. How about the title “shrine”? And am I correct in the titling of a basilica?

 

[YoungTradCath]

So, It is my understanding that Rome, or the Pope himself bestows the title “Basilica” on a church. How about the title “shrine”? And am I correct in the titling of a basilica?

Rome (I do not believe any assent of the Pope is required) bestows the title. I believe a bishop can make a shrine.

 

[A_G]

I know what a Parish Church is, because my Church is a Parish Church, and I know what a Cathedral is, but what exactly are Basilicas and Shrines, and what makes them different than a Parish or a Cathedral?

A parish is part of a diocese under the authority of a priest. It is a community that includes all Catholic members within a geographical area. A Parish Church is the Church of that parish.

The designation of Basilica is the highest designation for a church building. A Basilica is a very important church building, designated by the Pope to buildings that carry special spiritual, historical, etc… significance. A basilica may or may not also be the cathedral of the diocese.

A Cathedral is the central church of its diocese. It is the home church for the bishop or archbishop of a Catholic diocese. A Cathedral may or may not be a Basilica.

A shrine is basically a holy place. A shrine can be a church or a holy place where a relic is preserved, where a saint was martyred, where an apparition has taken place, or where some significant event has taken place.

Canon law of the Catholic Church states (canons 1230 and 1231): “The term shrine means a church or other sacred place which, with the approval of the local Ordinary, is by reason of special devotion frequented by the faithful as pilgrims. For a shrine to be described as national, the approval of the Episcopal Conference is necessary. For it to be described as international, the approval of the Holy See is required.”

One church may be simultaneously a Basilica, a Cathedral and a Shrine.