By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami
Pope Benedict XVI has honored the Archdiocese of Miami in designating St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West as a Minor Basilica. Established in 1846, St. Mary Star of the Sea is the oldest church in the archdiocese and will become its first Minor Basilica, and the fifth in the State of Florida. Father John Baker, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, will make an official announcement to parishioners tonight at 6 p.m. during the Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.Last year, Archbishop Thomas Wenski made the official request for this honor through the Holy Sees Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments. A solemn Mass with the conferral of the insignia of a basilica will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea on Thursday, May 31.
Such recognition of one of our parishes by the Holy Father should link all Catholics here in South Florida most closely to the person of the Holy Father. In a certain sense, St. Mary Star of the Sea becomes the Popes parish church here in the Archdiocese of Miami, said Archbishop Wenski.
St. Mary Star of the Sea is located at 1010 Windsor Lane, Key West, FL 33040.
