Our Lady of Victory Basilica & National Shrine
Description
Our Lady of Victory Basilica Saturday vigil Mass 4:430pm
Sunday Mass 8am, 10am, Noon and 4:30pm
In 1916, tragedy struck what was then St. Patrick's Parish. Fire ripped through the small church, completely destroying the spire and damaging the assembly area considerably. Within days, the pastor, 74-year-old Father Nelson Baker, ordered the church to be repaired, but, oddly, held off on fixing the spire. He had something else in mind . . .
Later, at a routine parish meeting, Father Baker unveiled his plan to build a beautiful shrine to rival the majestic churches of Europe. Speaking before an astonished crowd, the humble priest outlined his desire to have the finest materials and artists come together to create a true masterpiece — his way of paying homage to his patroness, Our Lady of Victory.
On May 7, 1921, Father Baker celebrated the last Mass at St. Patrick's, which was then immediately dismantled to make way for something much more magnificent.
Knowing that he had not set aside a penny for the new shrine's construction did not seem to bother the aging priest. He was confident that, yet again, the Blessed Mother would look kindly on him, and she did. Father Baker sent out a call for support and it was answered by thousands of loyal donors, happy to assist such a project. Some contributed through the Association of Our Lady of Victory, Father Baker's pioneering direct-mail fundraising program, while countless others sent donations both large and small.
Another call for help, this one to craftsmen and artisans worldwide, was answered by a group of some of the biggest names in religious works. The chief designer of the shrine was Emile Ulrich. A graduate of the Academy of Paris, he migrated to America in 1894 and opened an architectural firm in Cleveland, Ohio. It was Ulrich himself who personally inspected all of the artists' work both in the United States and Europe in order to guarantee Father Baker's wish for the finest materials and craftsmanship.
Planning the interior artwork of the shrine was the task of master artist Professor Gonippo Raggi. Born and trained in Italy, Raggi's handiwork is seen in the magnificent oil paintings throughout the shrine.
Aiding him was Buffalonian Marion Rzeznik. Born in Poland, Rzeznik studied painting and sculpture in Krakow, Vienna, and New York City before settling in Buffalo. The beautiful stained glass throughout the shrine was the work of Otto Andrle, a Buffalo-native and renowned artisan at the time.
By Christmas 1925, construction of the great Shrine of Our Lady of Victory had not only been completed, but was entirely paid for.
On May 25, 1926, a special consecration ceremony took place, attended by thousands of local dignitaries, clergy, and well-wishers. The consecration was presided over by Father Baker, Bishop William Turner of the Diocese of Buffalo, and Cardinal Patrick Hayes of New York City.
Within two months, Our Lady of Victory National Shrine was officially designated a Minor Basilica via apostolic decree by Pope Pius XI. Father Baker's greatest dream had been realized. The gift to his patroness had been given.
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facebook.comA very Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms of the parish- to all moms, grandmothers, godmothers, foster mothers, mother substitutes and expectant mothers! Each year we pause to say thanks to our moms for their motherly love and care. May God bless each of you and keep you faithful to your vocation as moms. Each year, I remind us to also pray for our moms who have already gone back to God our Father on this day. I will be on pilgrimage with the Homes of Charity on this day and will be celebrating Mass at one of the greatest Benedictine monasteries in Europe, Melk Abbey in Austria. I will remember all the moms of our parish at that Mass. Congratulations and best wishes to all moms! Msgr Paul.
This is a reminder to all in our parish that we have Eucharistic Adoration each Friday. It begins after the 12:10 Mass and ends at 5:00 p.m. with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the main altar of the Basilica for these hours for private prayer and adoration. On days when there is an activity in the upper Basilica on Friday afternoons, exposition and adoration are held in the Chapel on the lower level of the Basilica. All are welcome to spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament during these hours.
Father Baker Father's Day 5K
This is the time of the year when we take nominations for membership on the Parish Council. The term begins in September 2017 and runs for 3 years. You may nominate a fellow parishioner, or you may nominate yourself. Nominees need to be 18 years old or older, and a member of OLV parish in good standing. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please check with them first to make sure they are willing to be nominated. Nominations close May 28.
Your child can serve in Masses at Our Lady of Victory Parish if they have received their First Holy Communion. Father Sam has planned two opportunities for altar server training.Only one session is necessary, unless your child wants to attend both. Please consider one of the following training session opportunities: When: Saturday, June 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. OR Monday, June 26 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Front pew of Basilica Parents/Guardians are welcome to remain or leave during session. No need to RSVP. Contact Father Sam for more information or questions at: 716-828-9428 or by email at sgiangreco@ourladyofvictory.org.
Tuesday evening, May 9, we will hold our annual May Crowning ceremony in the Basilica at 7:00 p.m.I invite all of you to join your fellow parishioners for this beautiful ceremony. Weather permitting, we will process across Ridge Road to the St. Joseph Garden, next to the Homes of Charity offices, for the conclusion of the ceremony and the placing of flowers at the statue of Our Lady of Victory. Come, bring a friend, and bring a small bouquet of flowers for this ceremony.
Anyone interested in scheduling a Mass for 2018 can be assisted in the Marian Room in the Lower Basilica from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2.Masses can be scheduled at the Rectory beginning on Wednesday, May 3. So that we can complete the process as quickly as possible, please bring in your own requests rather than giving them to someone else who is coming to schedule Masses.This causes a delay due to the number of Masses one person requests and is not fair to those who are waiting. As in the past, only four (4) Masses per year will be scheduled for each person, living or deceased (except Estate accounts). A total of four (4) weekend Masses per family requesting Masses will be allowed. Phone requests will not be accepted until Tuesday, May 16.Payment for Masses is due at the time of scheduling. Thank you.
This is the time of the year when we take nominations for membership on the Parish Council. The term begins in September 2017 and runs for 3 years. You may nominate a fellow parishioner, or you may nominate yourself. Nominees need to be 18 years old or older, and a member of OLV parish in good standing. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please check with them first to make sure they are willing to be nominated. Nominations close May 28.
Timeline Photos
Many thanks to Jason Agnello for Your generosity in sharing your talent . Any questions regarding this print... i.e. Sale of print etc. please follow link https://m.facebook.com/dronephotography716/
Divine Mercy Sunday.Pope St. John Paul II initiated this celebration and placed it each year on the Sunday after Easter. We will have a special Divine Mercy Prayer Service at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, followed by our regularly scheduled 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass. All are welcome to attend, of course. Invite someone to join you for this Divine Mercy celebration.
Saturday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m., we will host the annual diocesan Mass for those touched by adoption. This annual Adoption Mass brings together people from the Diocese of Buffalo (and beyond) who have been adopted, who are adoptive parents and family members, birth parents, and others. This is always a special and touching celebration. All are invited to attend.
Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. Our parish will celebrate an hour of mercy from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 23. All are invited. Please contact Father Romulus for further information.
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