frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Located on the campus of Catholic University in Washington, D.C. NE, very near the Washington Hospital Center complex, the Shrine is the largest Catholic Church in North America. In addition to the main church that can seat 10,000 and the somewhat smaller crypt chapel in the basement there are seventy side-chapels almost all of which are ethnic. I was in D.C. a week ago to celebrate Mass for the Slovenian community that meets for Mass on the first Sunday of every month. Having been there before but never with my current photographic equipment I went over almost two hours before Mass so as to wander around with the camera (and figure out the process for using the small chapel). My next trip to D.C. will include a full day free so as to return with camera and a few batteries. It is unlikely I would be able to stay after it closes to do some shooting in the dark with candle illumination.

Used EM 1 mk ii with either the 12-40 or 40-150 f 2.8 lens. Shooting manual and RAW. ISO varied with conditions.

The main body of the shrine. Mass was close to ending. Took this from the back. The final ceiling mosaic was only recently completed.

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Side aisle.

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Votive candles.

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Woman lighting votive candle.

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One sacristy serves the chapels on the lower level. All the vessels necessary for Mass are set up beforehand.

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Ruthenian chapel.

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Lebanese Maronite Rite Chapel

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Our Lady Help of Christians (Our Lady of Brezje) Slovenian chapel where we had Mass. Housekeeping set up 35 chairs for the group. Had a number of standees as well.

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Close up of altar. The original painting is in Brezje in a much smaller chapel attached to a shrine that draws thousands of pilgrims.

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Beautiful photos, Father Jack. I enjoyed seeing them and reading the narrative as well. I hope you are able to get back there and photograph more.

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

Beautiful Church and beautiful photographs. Well done! Thanks for posting these.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. Getting back will be no problem. Going to Silver Spring, MD for a family celebration in May. Will most likely return in the spring to celebrate for the Slovenian community again. Lived in D.C. nine years (hated the traffic and the weather in no particular rank-order). The Shrine presents lighting challenges in that there is no natural light in the chapels. Glare can be a problem. Processing helps.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. This was the location of Justice Scalia's funeral. Note it is not the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. The Cathedral of St. Matthew is on 1725 Rhode Island NW (basically downtown). It was the location of JFK's funeral.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Beautiful pictures of a very beautiful structure.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for looking and commenting. It is difficult to take it all in on one visit.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Beautiful set frjack.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Wonderful set, thanks for sharing

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for taking a look and commenting.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Very beautiful photos. Fr. Jack you have captured the beautiful essence of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This is definitely a must visit when I am in the area. Mahalo for sharing.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. Budget plenty of time. In good weather there are lovely gardens surrounding the Shrine.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Beautiful and impressive. I love to see ornately decorated churches. Sadly they seem to be a thing of the past.
I like older and traditional.
I am glad you shared these.
Ken

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for commenting. Construction on the Shrine was begun in 1920. It was 'completed' on 8 December 2017 when the last mosaic in one of the domes was finished.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Beautiful photos Fr Jack I particularly like the chapel photos and the icons work well in the settings. How is that weather in Boston???

Thanks
Joe