Interior Our Lady of Victory Basilica (Lackawanna, New York)

1 interior

1.1 great dome , ceiling
1.2 main altar
1.3 items of papal significance
1.4 stations of cross
1.5 organ
1.6 grotto , father baker s remains
1.7 other places of interest

interior
the great dome , ceiling

interior of our lady of victory basilica.

the largest work of art decoration of great dome, 80 feet (24 m) in diameter, depicts assumption of mary , blessed mother s coronation. around dome s outer edge, 12 apostles , 3 archangels shown, while angelic host carries mary towards heaven. higher within dome, jesus in red robes can seen awaiting her. @ pinnacle of dome, 120 feet (37 m) above basilica floor, white dove of peace looks down heaven @ basilica.

from great dome choir loft, ceiling covered 5 giant murals. depict mary queen of patriarchs, queen of apostles, queen of angels, queen of prophets, , queen of martyrs. 2 walls on basilica s sides feature huge paintings depicting scenes gospels: massacre of innocents, flight egypt, , birth of jesus @ bethlehem.

the main altar

detail of statue of our lady of victory on main altar.

the main altar features 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, 1,600 pounds (730 kg) statue of our lady of victory. blessed pope pius xi after being sculpted in italy. baker placed painting of pope on altar in return.

flanking altar 4 swirled marble columns of rare red marble, reminiscent of st. peter s basilica in rome. legend told marble says group of buffalo-born soldiers stumbled upon unique red marble while in spain during world war i. upon seeing it, soldiers thought of basilica being built @ home father baker. went talk spanish farmer owned property. after hearing story of father baker, farmer agreed donate useless rock on property. arrangements made , marble sent lackawanna complete work on basilica s altar.

the main altar stands under bright blue dome depicting holy spirit in brilliant hues. on ceiling on altar, elongated panel represents queen of saints. among saints mary magdalene, st. anthony, st. elizabeth, st. anne, , st. theresa.

items of papal significance

near altar, @ 1 end of pews, stands umbraculum, symbolic canopy or umbrella kept half open until pope visits basilica , opens it. tintinnabulum, small gold bell mounted on pole golden frame, stands @ other end. used lead procession when pope says mass within basilica. these 2 items, along personal coat of arms of pope, hangs above bronze main entrance doors, signify shrine s basilica status within catholic community.

stations of cross

one of 14 lifesize marble stations of cross.

the shrine flanked 14 marble stations of cross, depict jesus final hours before death. rather elements being carved separate blocks of marble , assembled each station afterwards, each station sculpted single blocks. figures depicted @ life size. italian sculptor, pepini, spent 14 years on design , execution.

the station entitled jesus meets afflicted mother 1 of father baker s favorite places in basilica. in 80s time basilica completed, baker found leaning on pillar closest station, meditating , saying prayers.

the organ

when original, custom-made wurlitzer organ installed in choir loft had deteriorated beyond repair, specially-designed 54-rank pipe organ installed in place. built delaware pipe organ co. , installed in 1981, organ has 3 mahogany pipe towers, each in eight-foot semicircle, representing holy trinity. there 51 pipes in 3 towers, balance of pipes located behind towers. pipework of metal , wood, , ranges in length 6 inches 18 feet.

the grotto , father baker s remains

the grotto shrine remains of father nelson baker placed in sarcophagus.

baker s remains in sarcophagus within grotto shrine our lady of lourdes, found on southern end of basilica s transept. grotto hewn out of black lava rock mount vesuvius in italy. baker, had died in 1936, had wanted find construction material untouched humans commemorate vision of blessed mother st. bernadette in lourdes, france.

other places of interest

other sculptures , artwork: interior decorated several religious paintings, sculptures, , mosaics depicting devotion blessed mother. estimated 1,500 2,500 angels can found in basilica in sculptures , artwork. baker s plan place angel in every possible sightline, remind visitors although basilica dedicated our lady of victory, main purpose meant god s praise , glory.

some of pictures , memorabilia found in father baker rooms in basement of basilica.

pews , aisle: basilica s pews made of rare african mahogany, , provide seating more 1,200 individuals. shrine s floor , aisle gradually sloped ensure visitors have unobstructed view of basilica s main altar.

altars: in keeping style of architecture, 5 unique altars line rear wall behind main altar. these altars dedicated to: st. patrick, st. aloysius, mary immaculate, st. anne, , st. vincent de paul, life work poor , needy inspired father baker.

baptistery: located adjacent main altar, bapistery features marble baptismal font, dozens of wall , ceiling paintings religious symbols , peoples.

father baker museum:

during late 2009, construction began create small museum father baker s life , history of our lady of victory institutions. located in basilica s basement, chapel , father baker rooms formerly located. number of photos, official documents, vintage newspapers, , baker s belongings on display. items such father baker s desk, books, clothing, , furniture can found throughout museum. in museum cases of photos, information, , memorabilia our lady of victory institutions, such infant home, orphanage, protectory, , basilica itself. on floor remodeled gift shop offering religious items such rosaries, , related goods.