Carmelites' national shrine in Wisconsin designated a basilica

Published: 2006-07-21

HUBERTUS, Wis. (CNS) -- As the Discalced Carmelites were celebrating the 100th anniversary of their presence at the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, they could have expected to hear Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan praise their century of ministry. What they didn't expect to hear was that the hilltop shrine a few miles northwest of Milwaukee -- known locally as "Holy Hill" -- has a new status. It is now a basilica. "We were totally surprised," said Carmelite Father Cyril Guise. Archbishop Dolan announced the news at the Mass he celebrated July 16 to mark the religious community's century of service. The archbishop told the Catholic Herald, Milwaukee archdiocesan newspaper, that he began the process of having the Vatican designate the shrine as a basilica more than a year ago. Two of the criteria the Holy See examines in granting the designation are the church's venerability and its being a center of "vibrant piety," according to the archbishop.

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