Stewards of America`s First Cathedral

Stewards of
America’s First Cathedral
the annual appeal for the baltimore basilica
W
elcoming over one million visitors since her reopening in late
2006, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, America’s First Cathedral, has
Membership
provided a breathtaking experience for thousands of pilgrims from all over
To become a member of the Stewards
the United States and the world. Liturgies of profound spirituality, inspiring
of America’s First Cathedral, simply
architecture, unforgettable cultural events, and educational tours continue to
complete the enclosed envelope,
thrive within her historic walls. Your membership as a Steward of America’s
including your gift or pledge of
First Cathedral ensures that the Basilica’s rich heritage will continue to be
$50 or more, and return it to the
enjoyed for generations to come.
Basilica
the stewards
Historic
Trust
offices.
You may also want to consider
the Basilica Legacy League. The
The Stewards of America’s First Cathedral are benefactors who, through
Legacy League, part of the Catholic
their annual generosity, support the mission of the Baltimore Basilica. They
Community Foundation, recognizes
recognize the spiritual, historical, and architectural importance of this sacred
those who have remembered the
and significant house of worship. Specifically, the Stewards of America’s First
Basilica through a legacy gift, such
Cathedral support the Basilica’s operational efforts. These efforts include:
as a bequest, charitable gift annuity,
maintaining the Basilica’s aesthetic beauty and mechanical efficiency; continued
or through the establishment of an
robust promotion to ensure that the public feels welcome to experience the
endowment fund.
treasure that is the Basilica; ongoing support for liturgical and devotional
programs, thus keeping the Basilica in the forefront of Catholic and American
life; and adequate staffing, to accommodate the growth of the Basilica.
the basilica relies on your support
In addition to being a pilgrimage destination and attraction for visitors to
Baltimore, the Basilica is also an urban parish. The day-to-day costs to maintain,
operate, promote and staff the Basilica are extraordinary. The Basilica is open
365 days a year, eight hours or more a day. Because the Basilica parish is a small
urban parish, it cannot possibly shoulder the financial burden of maintaining the
church alone. Your gift helps bridge this gap. The parish offertory represents 38%
of the total operational budget of the church. America’s First Cathedral must rely
on the support of people from around the Archdiocese and beyond. Because the
Baltimore Basilica is a National Shrine as well as a National Historic Landmark,
the church must reach out to all Catholics, and indeed all Americans, to support
this most historic house of worship.
H
opefully you have been able to visit the Basilica during the past
year; it looks magnificent. If you have not visited the Basilica
recently, I invite you to come for a Mass, tour or for a prayerful
visit. The Basilica is open daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Mass is offered
during the week at 7:30 am and 12:10 pm and confessions from 11:30 am to
Noon. Weekend Masses are at 5:30 pm on Saturday and 8:00 am, 10:45 am and
4:30 pm on Sundays. Tours are offered daily at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00pm.
It is an honor to serve as Rector of the Basilica of the Assumption; I want to
thank all of you who have supported the Basilica in the past. This past year
over 100,000 visitors have come through our doors, the third annual national
opening Mass of the Fortnight for Freedom took place at our Basilcia
in June and was celebrated by Archbishop Lori and nationally televised.
Eucharistic Adoration, which began in 2011, continues from 8:00 am until
4:00 pm where we encourage adorers to pray for vocations.
I am working with staff, other parishes and the Archdiocese to
implement a plan for the Basilica to thrive in the future. Part of that
plan will be working with Archbishop Lori to bring national attention
to the Basilica and her significant role in the beginning of the Catholic
Church in the United States.
Your support of the Stewards of America’s First Cathedral is a great blessing and I
am humbled by the generosity that many of you have shown in the past.
Your support of the Stewards of America’s First Cathedral is a great blessing
and I am humbled by the generosity that many of you have shown in the past.
This historic and beautiful shrine is a landmark in the history of our Catholic
Faith in America and continues to be an active parish in downtown Baltimore.
Thank you for prayerfully considering a gift in support of the Basilica. Be
assured of my prayers and I ask you to pray for the Archdiocese and all the
people that are served by our parishes.
Sincerely in Christ,
Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano
Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano, Basilica Rector
a brief history of america’s first cathedral
The historic Baltimore Basilica, built from 1806-1821, was the first great
metropolitan cathedral constructed in America after the adoption of the U.S.
Constitution. America’s First Cathedral, officially known as the Basilica of
the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, quickly
became a symbol of the country’s newfound religious freedom.
Two prominent Americans guided the Basilica’s design and architecture:
John Carroll, the country’s first bishop, later Archbishop of Baltimore, and
cousin of Charles Carroll, who signed the Declaration of Independence; and
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, father of American architecture, and President
Thomas Jefferson’s Architect of the Capitol.
For more than 100 years until the American Revolution, the Catholic Church
consisted of a persecuted but devout minority. With the adoption of the new
Constitution, Church leaders wanted to build a cathedral to celebrate their
newly acquired right to worship openly. Bishop Carroll adopted the forwardlooking neoclassical architecture of the new federal city in Washington. He
wanted an architectural symbol that was considered “American,” not Gothic
and reminiscent of the Dark Ages in Europe.
Learning of Bishop Carroll’s effort, Latrobe volunteered his architectural
services. President Jefferson’s insistence on skylights for the U.S. Capitol
inspired Latrobe and his design for the Cathedral’s grand dome. The Basilica,
which culminated years of architectural refinement by Latrobe, is now
considered one of the world’s finest examples of 19th century architecture.
“When the Cathedral was first constructed, the only building that could
compete with it in size, scale, and architectural sophistication was the
United States Capitol,” said Jack Waite, Principal Architect with John G.
Waite Associates, Architects. “Architecturally, it was the most advanced
building in the country.”
Situated majestically on a hill above Baltimore Harbor, the historic Basilica
is the location of the country’s first archdiocese, from which two-thirds
of U.S. Catholic dioceses can trace their heritage. Under its auspices also
came a series of other firsts, including the first order of African-American
Religious, the Oblate Sisters of Providence.
Once construction was completed, the Basilica began a distinguished history
that continues to this day. In 1829, the First Provincial Council of Baltimore,
held at the Basilica, asserted the need for Catholic schools.
Six other Provincial Councils and three Plenary Councils followed, guiding the
Church as the country moved westward and its Catholic population increased
with with the arrival of new immigrants. The First Plenary Council in 1852
extended the legislation of the seven Provincial Councils to the entire country.
Following the American Civil War, the Second Plenary Council in 1866,
whose guests included President Andrew Johnson, achieved peace for the
church and called for the evangelization of blacks and Native Americans. The
Third Plenary Council, the largest meeting of Catholic Bishops held outside
Rome since the Council of Trent (December 13, 1545-December 4, 1563)
commissioned the famous Baltimore Catechism, which taught generations of
Catholics the basics of their faith. Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the
Knights of Columbus, was ordained to the priesthood at the Basilica, in 1877.
The Basilica has hosted visits by Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople
In April 1906, the 100th anniversary of the laying of the Cathedral’s cornerstone
was observed with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Cardinal James Gibbons.
Pope Pius XI raised the Cathedral to the rank of a Minor Basilica in 1937;
in 1972, it was declared a National Landmark; and in 1993, the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the Cathedral a National Shrine.
“No other Catholic edifice in America can claim to have seen so much history
made inside its walls,” observed George Weigel, acclaimed biographer of Pope
John Paul II, and NBC News Vatican analyst.
Since 1976, the Basilica has hosted visits by Pope John Paul II, Blessed
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
I of Constantinople. Today, it is the focus of a diverse and revitalized
neighborhood, the Mount Vernon Cultural District.
In 2001, under the leadership of Cardinal William H. Keeler, 14th Archbishop
of Baltimore, the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc. launched a
campaign to restore the Basilica to Latrobe’s original vision. The restoration
included providing public access to the Archbishops’ crypt; the construction of
a Chapel in the undercroft; incorporation of the Basilica Museum; handicap
accessibility to the entire Basilica; a complete overhaul of the Basilica’s
infrastructure; and much, much more.
Today, the Baltimore Basilica, now fully repaired and restored, welcomes new
generations to pray and explore, at America’s First Cathedral!
the basilica offers you the opportunity
to select from the following gift levels:
John Carroll Stewards
Cardinal Shehan League
Archbishop Curley Society
$10,000 or more
$1,000 - $4,999
$100 - $499
Cardinal Gibbons Guild
Ambrose Maréchal Circle
Basilica Patrons
$5,000 - $9,999
$500 - $999
$50 - $99
All gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
For corporate matching gifts, please forward your company’s form with your contribution.
Please make your check payable to the Basilica Historic Trust.
For more information about the Stewards of America’s First Cathedral
annual appeal, please contact Bob Brown at:
basilica of the assumption historic trust, inc.
409 Cathedral Street | Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Tel: 410-727-3565 | Fax: 410-539-0407
[email protected]
www.baltimorebasilica.org
Mission Statement
basilica of the assumption historic trust, inc.
Because of The Basilica’s unique historic and landmark character,
the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Baltimore (The Basilica)
established a non-profit corporation as a separate and irrevocable Historic Trust
on April 1, 1976. As stated in the Articles of Incorporation,
the purpose of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc.
is to maintain, preserve, protect, repair and restore the structure
and site of the Basilica, together with its grounds and ancillary buildings
to insure that their historic and landmark character shall be
preserved in trust for the enrichment of future generations of Baltimoreans,
and to foster and promote public knowledge of and interest in the
historic nature of The Basilica of the Assumption.
Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, Inc.
409 Cathedral Street | Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Tel: 410-727-3565 | Fax: 410-539-0407
www.baltimorebasilica.org