While in Minneapolis my daughter, sister and I went to tour the Basilica of Saint Mary. Not even understanding what a Basilica was we had some research to do.
[the term came to refer specifically to a large and important Roman Catholic church that has been given special ceremonial rights by the Pope.] (catholic encyclopedia)
So, a Basilica is larger and grander than a cathedral and a cathedral
is larger and grander than a catholic church. The basilica having more ceremonial rights too.
{The first church in the United States to be designated a basilica was the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis (February 1, 1926).}
Mary, Erin and I were in the very first Basilica built in United States and it was amazing. The organist was playing as we walked through the Basilica and when we walked by the pipes....Oh my! This tour was absolutely breath taking and a sense of calmness was felt inside here.
We lit candles and looked at all the pictures, statues and windows, (hard to photo the windows with the sun shining through the stained glass). My daughter asked where the pictures of the nuns were? They sure did have a lot of pictures of the priests that served here at St.Mary's. My sister and I looked at Erin and said: 'well honey, this is one of the sad things regarding the Catholic church, they are not big on women, they have to be content being "brides of Christ"'
Erin: 'oh, no different than any other Christian church then.'
Us: 'Yup-Tradition'
Touring the Basilica was a high light of being in Minneapolis.
Oh, Minneapolis you do not disappoint!
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