The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

During my DC trip, my family and I got the awesome opportunity to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (long name, I know). It is the largest Catholic church in Northa America, and it is among the 10 largest in the world! It was sooooo beautiful! If you ever get the chance to visit this amazing place, take it! There are more than 70 chapels, and there is a bookstore and cafeteria. There are two "churches" (places were they celebrate the Eucharist) that I know of, but there might be more. The architecture was flawless and the reverence they had for Jesus and Mary... wowza. 

Here is an excerpt from the Basilica's website on the history. 

"In 1846, an excerpt from a Massachusetts newspaper told of "a magnificent Catholic church [to] be built at Washington, D.C. after the manner of the great cathedrals of the Old World from subscriptions of every Catholic Parish in America.” 

Spanning the late 19th, 20th and now 21st century, American Catholics would indeed build a sanctuary that rivals those of Europe and the world, not only in size but in stature as well—in sacred art, architecture, history and heritage.

Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine. With over 70 chapels and oratories that relate to the peoples, cultures and traditions that are the tapestry of the Catholic faith and the mosaic of our great nation, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is indeed, America’s Catholic church."

If you would like to learn more about the Basiclica, just click on the blue link above and it will take you to it!

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL TOUR

NOTE- One of the things I don't really like about Blogger is it is sooooo hard to put in pictures! So bear with me as the pictures are scattered everywhere. Sorry about this inconvenience. 

Here are the opening views of the Basilica. Huge and beautiful, right? And the funny part is, it is located in a not-so-great part of town. So in the midst of "darkness" (that's a metaphor, just saying) here comes the light! :) Even from the outside, I already knew this was going to be an amazing experience. 

A closer view to the Basilica. In the picture below, you can see the brightly painted dome. That is the dome of the main part of the main church. 

This is the main "pretty looking" entrance to the church. If you want to get in, you have to go through the side though. We almost missed it! :) 

 

What?!

 The picture to the right is proof that this article of clothing was actually worn by JP2! The caption reads "Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow, 1976 August 9, Sacristy before Mass in the Upper Church."








Pope Francis' zuchetto? I don't know if this can get any better. There also was JP2's zuchetto as well as Pope Benedict the XVI.

First class relic people. Ah-mazing. 

These statues of numerous saints greeted us as we walked into the basilica. There was a little museum exhibit like thing to the side where we found the relics, zuchettos, and different things like that.  

 




              I believe that is St. Katherine Drexel. 

This chapel is dedicated to the Crucifiction, i believe. (Just by the way, this is all based on my memory. I don't really have a way of knowing the exact dedications, so bear with me. :) )

Our Lady of Japan

 Aren't these beautiful? 
The chapel on your left (wow, I sound like a tour guide) is one of the bigger ones. Most of the chapels were as small as a bedroom, maybe a tad bigger. 

If you are wondering about the picture on the right, the words above the painting say "Follow my Counsel." 

I can't get over how amazing these are... everything was so unique and artfully made!

Now it's time to go into the Upper Church (what I call the main church). It is HUGE! 

 This is the view right as you walk in. Tell me about breathtaking. Imagine seeing it in person! There was murals and mosaics covering every inch of the ceiling. To your left and right (after the pews of course) were more chapels. In the picture to the left, you can't see it too well, but the big red thing in the very back of the church is the end. (Spoiler- It's a mosaic of Jesus!)

Here it is again from a different angle.  

For the picture on your right- This is at the foot of the steps leading to the first altar. Yes, there is more than one altar. Jesus' mosaic face is covered by a statue of Mary. I have close ups later. 

 Here we go, there's Mother Mary! She is "watching" over the church! The dome she is standing on covers the main altar. 

Different view of Mary...

 Here are some ceiling views... all of them so beautiful and decoratively made. 

Here is a floor view

Sepia-ed version of Jesus. 

Full color! 

Better view of Jesus with Mary

I can't get over the ceilings...

More ceiling love.

Now for some more chapels! (Is anyone still with me? :) )

 

In the far right is Elizabeth Ann Seton 

Juan Diego! 

Rose of Lima

This chapel is obviously dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This was my second favorite chapel. I loved how on the sides it had the mosaics of a bunch of different saints commemorating our mother. 

"To Restore all Things in Christ"
"Give us this day our daily bread" 

The Pieta

Finally, my favorite chapel. The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.

The altar reads, "Food for angels, food for men.
All you lowly come and eat."
Wow, talk about powerful. 

Is it not one of the most beautiful things
you have ever seen?

One last shot! 

Yes, it's the same shot as before, just bigger. You can't stop appreciating the beauty though! 

God's presence was so beautifully obvious in this wonderful place. I really wish I lived near by so I could go to a different chapel everyday! 

I am sorry if I overwhelmed you with pictures, or if they bored you. But to me, this was one of the most God-speaking, divinely beautiful places I have ever been to. Thank you Lord, for this wonderful experience.

Quick shout out- please make sure to participate in my poll! So far only one person has responded. (Thank you!) I would love to hear from you guys! You don't even have to state your name.You can be anonymous in the contact box, or just vote! Thank you all so much, and God bless!

All through Christ,

Maddie

5 Fast Ways to Add God Into Your Life

Sometimes we have those days where we feel like the holiest person on Earth. We got our morning and evening routine down, we participate fully and Mass and we preach the Gospel like tomorrow is the Second Coming. And then the next day.... it's back to square one.

Sometimes it's the small God Moments we add (and allow) in our lives that make our spiritual lives that much better. So here are five simple ways to add God to your life.

Persisting is hard, but it has so many amazing benefits. Think of the Grand Canyon. It didn’t use to be that huge, it probably started with a small river. Over time, the river eroded the rock to form the beautiful, vast Grand Canyon we know today. Or you can compare it to something as simple as school. If you study and keep participating in your class, your grades will go up!

All big things start with little actions. So start your beyond-big relationship with God with small acts of love!


1. Start the morning with prayer. Now you can take the word "prayer" any way you would like. For one person it might been an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. For another person it would be a quick "Please (insert petition here) and thank you (insert gratitude here). And then there's people who spend 20 minutes reflecting over a Bible passage. Whatever you feel is most comfortable, do it. It doesn't have to be lengthy, it just has to be meaningful.

2. Pray in public. When I say this, I don't mean get down on your knees and start yelling to God in the middle of the mall. I mean at the beginning of your baseball tournament or before a big test, shoot a small prayer to God. A little goes a long way!

3. Don't forget the Sign of the Cross. The Sign of the Cross really opens and starts any time your are hanging out with God. So make sure you begin and end with this amazing symbol to God. Anything you do will be in "the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,".

4. Bible Verses on Your Window. After you finish reading this post, take a couple of minutes to write down your favorite Bible verses (and quotes) and write them on some sticky notes. Then stick them anywhere where you will seem them often- such as a mirror in your room or bathroom, or in your locker at school. That way you can always be reminded of God throughout your day.

5. God Moments. Right before you go to bed, try to think of a few times where God was present throughout your day. Just thinking about it can help you start a meaningful and friendly conversation with God. Flip it around, and try to be someone else's God moment during the day! Even a small smile or compliment can totally change someone's life around.

I hope you learned something! I know I did by just writing this post! :) Have a great rest of your week!

All through Christ,

Maddie

Inspirational Words to Start Your Week

Tomorrow's a Monday. And most of us really despise Mondays. (or at least I do.) So here are some words, quotes and phrases to start your week on the right foot. :) If I don't list a name by it, it is because I found it on Pinterest and it didn't list the author.

Do something every day that scares you. -Eleanor Roosevelt

 

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt

 

You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.

 

You can't buy happiness but you can buy MARSHMALLOWS and that's kind of the same thing.

 

 

 EVERYTHING has beauty.

 

Mistakes are proof that you are t r y i n g.

 

An attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Winston Churchill

Have a GREAT rest of your week! Find reasons to smile, okay?

All through Christ,

Maddie

Take Five- Five Updates on my Crazy Life

Hello dear blog readers! I hope you have enjoyed summer as much as I have. I love summer and all, but I am totally ready for fall! (It even rhymes, wow I'm such a poet). Fall is my favorite season of the year and I cannot wait to whip out my camera and take a few shots!
I know I haven't written many "personal" things about my life, and I think you all deserve to know what has been going on behind the computer screen.

1. Vacation!

Almost a month ago I had the wonderful chance to go to Washington DC with my family. Let me tell you, I have been waiting for this trip for years. I am such a history geek and every year I have been begging my parents to go to the great US of A's capital. Finally, it was this year. Oh the things I did and saw throughout this whole trip! Trust me, there will be many posts coming up about all the amazing sights, smells and historical aspects of DC. Stay tuned!

2. One Year Older....

I have officially survived one year of my teenage life... huzzah! Yes, over vacation I turned the big ol' 14. Now I feel I am at least a little bit qualified to give advice on the teenage years. :)

Also, since I am officially in 8th grade now, I get the wonderful chance to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring. I will be posting some posts on my journey.. so stay tuned.

3. Posting Notes
Okay, for all you writers out there, do you ever have those days where your head is so full of ideas and then when you sit down to write... nothing comes out? Well that's what I have been having this whole summer pretty much and my inspiration just sank. So... I have decided I am going to have a schedule for my posts. Technically, I said at the beginning I was going to post once a week.. and that kind of failed. So, now my new goal is every Sunday! Every Sunday I will be posting a post, whether it be very long and insightful, or short and sweet. So watch out readers, here I come!
Some topics for my upcoming posts-

1. DC
2. Temptation and How to Beat it
3. Balancing School life and Spiritual Life
4. My stay at a Catholic Camp
.

4. Photography

At this point, I don't know if my photography obsession is just a phase, or the beginnings of a new life hobby. At the beginning of the summer, I dug out the old family camera (nothing fancy, just a small handheld camera) and started shooting some pictures. I did a photoshoot with my brothers and sister, and I took a tooonnn of pictures on vacation! So look out for some posts with my pictures on them! I also love quotes, so some of them will have quotes on them.


5. You guys!- First off, thank you so much for taking your time to read this blog. Second off, you're awesome. Thirdly, I want to hear from you guys! Please don't hesitate to write me a question, comment, or just a small note and send it to my email at randommusings13@gmail.com . I would love if you could send me anything that you think I could work on to make your experience here better.

I do have a poll on the side of the page, so if you could take your time to answer and leave a comment/shoot me an email, that would be fantastic. Again, thank you so much for all you guys do! :)

All through Christ,

Maddie