100th Anniversary of the First Mass Celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine

Second Collection for the 100th Anniversary of the First Mass Celebrated Inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will conduct a one-time special collection for the 100th Anniversary of the First Mass Celebrated Inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. His Eminence has designated the Masses on May 4 and 5, 2024, for the second collection to benefit the National Shrine. In the coming weeks, we will receive special envelopes for this special second collection.

About the 100th Anniversary

This year on Easter Sunday, the National Shrine will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of its liturgical life. Over the last 100 years, the National Shrine has celebrated more than 800,000 Masses. The Shrine has welcomed the faithful and pilgrims around the world, including Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Saint John Paul II, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

For the National Shrine to continue to serve almost one million pilgrims each year, the task of updating its aged infrastructure has become a necessity. As the National Shrine approaches its monumental anniversary, an effort is underway to protect the future of this national ministry and to maintain its 100-year-old structure. The renewal project, estimated to cost $20 million, includes modernization of heating and cooling systems which are essential to 365-a-day-a-year ministry.

To assist with the project, the National Shrine Board of Trustees has asked the Bishop members of the board to consider a special one-time second collection in the next two years in their dioceses.  This special collection will assist with the extraordinary expenses that will be a part of the anniversary celebration and coincide with the centennial celebration of the First Mass and the beginning of the liturgical life of the National Shrine.   

His Eminence, as Chair of the Board, endorses the proposal and the effort to help the National Shrine to raise extra funds that are not part of their ordinary sources of revenue. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington utilizes the National Shrine’s chapels and meeting spaces throughout the course of the year for anniversaries, rite of elections, and other special Masses.

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