Make A Visit and Tour
“How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!”
Genesis 28:17
You are warmly invited to visit...
the historic and beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption. There are numerous reasons to make a visit. If you are Catholic; making a pilgrimage and participating in the celebration of Holy Mass or a prayer service, can strengthen your faith and help you grow spiritually.
If you are an Orthodox, Protestant, or Evangelical Christian, making a visit is a way to learn more about your Roman Catholic brothers and sisters and how they worship God and express their Christian faith. The same holds true if you are a non-Christian. If your interest is art and architecture a visit to the basilica can be a rewarding experience, as the basilica is a fine example of American Gothic Architecture.
No matter the reason for your visit, we are happy to receive you and share our spiritual home with you. May your time at the basilica bring you a glimpse of the transcendent and may you experience the welcome of God and His people.
Very Rev. Craig R. Eilerman
Rector
GENERAL INFORMATION
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In Brief
This Basilica is first and foremost dedicated to the worship of God in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the celebration of the Christian mysteries (holy Mass and the Sacraments), and a house of quiet prayer in the Sacramental Presence of Jesus Christ. Visits will have to be worked around the liturgical life of this active parish church with daily Mass, funeral Masses, nuptial Masses, and prayers and liturgies with the children attending our school, etc.. Below is some general information about basilica availability and the Mass schedules. We will do our best to accommodate your visit.
Basilica Availability
Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption
132 South High Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Most Days the Basilica is Open
Mon – Fri: 7 am – 4 pm;
Sat: 3 – 6 pm;
Sun: Open in the Morning and closes after the Masses
The Basilica is handicap accessible.
The Parish Office
Typically Monday – Friday: 8.30 – 4.30 pm
Located at the Corner of High St. and Chestnut St. next to the Basilica
Mass & Confession Times
The Lord’s Day
Sunday: 8.30 am and 10.30 am
Monday – Thursday: 7:00 am
Wednesday: 6 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am
Confessions
Saturday: 3:00 pm – 4.00 pm
Wednesday: 5.15 – 5.45 pm
Of Note to incorporate into your Visit:
Exposition is offered most of the day on Thursdays.
During Lent, additional prayer, devotional, and liturgical services are offered
Questions? Just Call.
Questions are welcome, if any doubt it never hurts to call and discuss details, etc. with the parish office: 740.653.0997 for the best experience.
The Parish Office
Typically Monday – Friday: 8.30 – 4.30 pm
Located at the Corner of High St. and Chestnut St. next to the Basilica
A Basilica Concession: Plenary Indulgences
The faithful who devoutly visit the basilica and within it participate in any sacred rite or at least recite the Lord’s Prayer and the profession of faith may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff):
- on the anniversary of the dedication of the basilica (Consecrated 5 June);
- on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 15 August;
- on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – 29 June;
- on the anniversary of the granting of the title of basilica – 7 July;
- on a date determined annually by the local bishop;
- once a year on a day freely chosen by each of the faithful.
Learn more about Plenary Indulgences and more details on the conditions, ( Click Here ).
Basilica Visitors Guide's are Available
A 38 page color printed visitors guide booklet is available for purchase for $10.00 in the Parish Office during office hours.
WAYS TO VISIT
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In Brief
Below are summaries and some recommendations on the common ways to make a visit and see the basilica.
Individual or Small Group Visit [Self-Guided Tour]
Make an individual, family, or small group visit around your timeline and the Basilica’s availability. Inside the Basilica entrances, there are information racks and there can be found a tri-fold with a short and simple self-guided tour (print from here in advance if you’d like). Additionally, there is a formal Visitors Guide Booklet available for purchase from the Parish Office for $10.00 which gives color images and greater history and detail for a tour.
Some suggestions:
- Consider making your visit around the celebration of Mass (see the weekday and Lord’s Day schedules above);
- If your intention is to purchase the Visitor’s Guide Booklet to use for your visit and tour, please be mindful of Parish Office Hours: Mon- Fri: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm. *The office is not open on weekends.
If you or/or a group are interested in making a visit, it is best to call the parish office to confirm a date and time and the availability of the Basilica at that time.
Request a Guided Tour For Your Group
We also welcome group visits to be paired with one of our Basilica docents. We recommend planning for at least an hour for a basic tour and some opportunity for questions with the docent. Additional time may want to be factored in for opportunities for prayer, looking at some things in closer detail, and restroom visits if needed with travel. Of course, groups are welcome to arrange their visit around a weekday Mass or we have available a short Marian Prayer Service that can be prayed as a part of your visit.
Some suggestions:
- Consider making your visit around the celebration of Mass (see the weekday and Lord’s Day schedules above);
- If persons in the group may want to purchase the Visitor’s Guide Booklet to take with them, please be mindful of Parish Office Hours: Mon- Fri: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm. *The office is not open on weekends.
- If there is a priest coming in your group, do inquire with the parish if he may concelebrate a Mass you plan to attend or if there is a desire to celebrate a Mass while your group visits.
If you are interested in bringing a group to The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, once you have some initial information together about group size, potential dates, etc., please call the parish office at 740.653.0997.
