Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières
| Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières | |
|---|---|
Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières (French) | |
 Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières | |
 | |
| Location | France |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Website | Website |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Edmond Duthoit & Louis Duthoit |
| Style | Byzantine Revival architecture |
| Groundbreaking | 1885 |
| Completed | End 1897 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome height (outer) | 76 m (249 ft 4 in) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Gérard Le Stang |
The Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières, Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières (French) is a Roman Catholic Basilica minor, designed by Edmond Duthoit in 1897. The structure was completely destroyed during shelling in World War I and rebuilt by the original architect's son Louis Duthoit from 1927 to 1931. The Golden Virgin sculpture deisigned by Albert Roze sits atop the dome of the Basilica and became an object of fascination during World War I. [1]
In 19 June 1901, Pope Leo XIII granted a decree of Pontifical coronation to the venerated image enshrined within. Pious legends among soldiers at the time claimed a superstitious prophecy that when a German missile hits the prominent Marian statue above the church, the First World War would finally end.
History
The Basilica started out as a parish church. In the 11th century many Catholics made pilgrimages to the parish church on the site to see a statue called Our Lady of the Ewes according to legend it had been found by a shepherd in the Middle Ages. Catholics passed around rumors of miracles related to the statue.[1] In 1834 Pope Gregory XVI noticed the growth of the statue's legend and built a larger church at the location. Throughout the years grander churches were built and finally the Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières. A new large statue of Marian Art entitled The Golden Virgin was attached to the dome.[1]
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Pope Leo XIII christened the church and seeing the Golden Virgin he called the Basilica “Lourdes of the North.” The sculpture was fastened to the 76 m (249 ft 4 in) bell tower.[2]
First world war
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The Golden Virgin sculpture which stood on the dome of the Basilica was damaged During Battle of Albert 1914. In 1914 the French and Germans staged their troops in Albert, France and the German troops suspected that the French may use the bell tower as an observation post to direct military maneuvers, so beginning in October 2014 they shelled the dome.
By 7 January 1915 the dome was destroyed and by 21 January 1915 the base of The Golden Virgin was hit and the statue was knocked sideways past 90 degrees.[3]
The Madonna and Child statue above the dome was damaged, separated, recast and placed upon the newly reconstructed basilica.[4]
See also
- Albert, Somme
- Basilicas in the Catholic Church
- List of Catholic basilicas
- Shrines to the Virgin Mary
References
- ^ a b c Holt, Tonie; Holt, Valmai (2016). Somme 100th Anniversary. Yorkshire, England: Pen & Sword Books. p. 368. ISBN 9781473866744. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Daubs, Katie (15 October 2018). "'When the Virgin falls, the war will end'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ Sumner, Ian (2018). The French Army on the Somme 1916. Great Britain: Pen and Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-52672-548-6. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières, Albert, France". Retrieved 14 October 2021.
A graceful building, topped with a golden Virgin and "flying baby."
Basilicas of France | ||
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| France |
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