Thousands of Diocesan Faithful Make Pilgrimage to National Shrine in D.C.

Bishop Robert Brennan led a group of more than 3,000 of the faithful from the Diocese of Brooklyn on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, Oct. 22 — marking the first time the diocesan went on a pilgrimage to the shrine since the pandemic.

Cardinal Gregory Blesses Shrine’s Replacement of Vandalized Mary Statue

Ten months after a marble statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Rosary Walk and Garden outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was vandalized and destroyed beyond repair, a replacement statue was blessed Oct. 23 by Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory.

Padre Pio’s Relics Will Make Their First Debut at National Shrine in D.C. 

During the 81 years of life for Francesco Forgione, who later became known and venerated as “Padre Pio,” he wasn’t able to visit the United States. While the saint’s relics have toured across the country and even throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn, for the first time, his relics will be displayed at the nation’s largest Catholic church in Washington D.C., May 21-22.

WASHINGTON BASILICA NATIONAL SHRINE STATUE VANDALISM

Our Lady of Fatima Statue Near National Shrine in Washington Vandalized

Days ahead of a major Marian feast day in the Catholic Church, a marble statue of Our Lady of Fatima near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington was vandalized, with Mary’s hands and nose cut off, her face scratched and the cross on her crown broken off.