Sunday, January 5, 2014

Two Basilicas in One Day, Part 1 - Holy Hill

To tour both of Wisconsin's basilicas while Christmas shopping is no mean feat.  They are simply too nice to sprint through!  Alas, here are a few photos from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill.



Holy Hill's namesake comes from its position in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine region.  Holy Hill is southeast Wisconsin's highest point.  On a clear day, a visitor near the main entrance to the basilica can see the skyscrapers of downtown Milwaukee, 25 miles away.



The altar, cloaked in purple for the advent season.  These photos were taken on the vigil of the second Sunday of Advent.  On the high altar there are reredos of eight doctors of the Catholic Church.  To the right of the altar is an umbrellino, Latin for umbrella, which is a customary icon in basilicas.



A lectern and the advent wreath sit in front of a mosaic of St. John of the Cross.  St. John of the Cross (1542 -1591), co-founded the order of Discalced Carmelites, the religious order who operate Holy Hill. 



Stained glass window depicting the Annunciation.


Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill
1525 Carmel Road  Hubertus, WI 53033
https://holyhill.com/

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