Consecration of North Jackson shrine named minor basilica Saturday

NORTH JACKSON

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, and the original shrine in Harissa, Lebanon, share the designation of minor basilica.

The Valley now has the distinction of being the location of only the second Maronite Catholic minor basilica in the world. The shrine also joins Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Youngstown, which was granted the title of minor basilica May 13. There are 81 basilicas in the United States; they are considered churches of the pope.

Pope Francis bestowed the honor on the shrine. Monsignor Anthony Spinosa, rector, received notification July 30 from the Most Rev. A. Elias Zaidan, bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles.

Bishop Zaidan will consecrate the shrine Saturday as a minor basilica during a Divine Liturgy at 5 p.m. Also attending will be Bishop Gregory Mansour, Eparchy of St. Maron in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Bishop Robert Shaheen, bishop emeritus; and a host of other clergy and shrine supporters.

The shrine also began a 50th anniversary celebration Aug. 15, the Feast of the

Assumption of Mary. In 1964 on that date, ground was broken at 2759 N. Lipkey Road on some 75 acres bordering Meander Reservoir. The shrine was dedicated Aug. 15, 1965, and will conclude its golden observance on that date in 2015.

Learn more about the new designation and how it was achieved in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.