Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

While my friend Ashley and I were in Washington DC for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Home school Conference, we headed over to see the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget! The Basilica of the National Shrine is the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America and one of the ten largest in the Nation. It has over 70 Chapels throughout! This place will truly take your breath away. I recommend anyone visiting the area (Catholic or not) to check it out! Here are some of the photos I took under my biz name, Lillian Anne Photography

Depiction of Mary in the Book of Revelation. The Baby Jesus is being carefully taken out of harm's way by two angels. Everything is in mosaics.

The relief is 58' X 17' high and is made from a slab of Travertine Marble. It depicts the Universal Call to Holiness.

Jesus stares down at you while you are at Mass. His right eye is relaxed and looking upon you with love, his left eye is raised and he is looking upon you in judgement. His hands are 5' tall and his head is 7' tall. Everything you see is in mosaics. I think the 3 angels below Him represent Faith, Hope & Charity.

There are 5 domes in the ceiling of the Upper Church. The largest dome is the 2nd largest in DC - only smaller to the Capitol building.

Depiction of Pentecost

This is the gorgeous Blessed Sacrament chapel where the Eucharist is exposed for adoration and prayer. Everything was breathtaking.

This is the Eastern Rite chapel where Bishops & priests of the Eastern Rite can celebrate Mass.

Our Lady of Vietnam.Everything on the ceilings and walls are done in mosaics.