The Miraculous Medal Shrine, located in one of the most historically significant cities of the United States, Philadelphia, has been declared as the 92nd basilica in the country by Pope Francis. This honor resulted in the change of the Marian church’s name to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The designation will enable the shrine to celebrate the anniversary of the election of the pope into pastoral ministry and also the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Moreover, it also receives the privilege to grant plenary indulgences. The Archbishop of Philadelphia, Nelson Pérez, expressed his happiness and his gratefulness to Pope Francis regarding the honor.
National Catholic Register reports:
PHILADELPHIA — The rich history of Catholicism in Philadelphia has become even richer.
Pope Francis just named The Miraculous Medal Shrine in the City of Brotherly Love as the 92nd basilica in the United States. The honor came two months after the 193rd anniversary of the manifestation of the Miraculous Medal.
With the honor comes a change of names to the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The shrine joins the Cathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul as one of the city’s two minor basilicas. With this designation, the shrine will now have the privilege of celebrating the feast of the Chair of St. Peter and the anniversary of the pope’s election into pastoral ministry; in addition, it may grant plenary indulgences.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez said in a Jan. 25 press release, “I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for bestowing this tremendous honor on The Miraculous Medal Shrine. This moment is one of great joy for the entire Church in Philadelphia.”
“The Miraculous Medal Shrine is a great gift drawing souls closer to Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Mother,” the archbishop added. “I congratulate the Vincentians and all those working to sustain the Shrine and its ministry. May their work continue to bear great fruit.”
Speaking about this great new honor, Father Timothy Lyons, the shrine’s rector, told the Register, “It’s really about the incredible devotion that people bring to the shrine. The long and deep love they bring comes from the incredible history of the outreach of the shrine that has gone all around the world.”
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