An iconic church in Downtown Dallas was recognized as a “National Shrine” by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.
The massive downtown cathedral will now be known as the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or Catedral Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Spanish. Bishop Edward Burns made the announcement last Tuesday.
“The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe has stood as a beacon of faith and history in Dallas for generations,” Burns said, according to The Texas Catholic. “This elevation to National Shrine status is a testament to our community and parishioners’ enduring devotion, the cultural richness the Cathedral embodies, and its role as a place of solace and reflection for all. We are immensely proud of this recognition and what it signifies.”
“This elevation to National Shrine status brings even greater dignity to our sacred space, encourages us to continue to grow and improve not only the physical plant of the Cathedral but also encourages the growth of the entire downtown neighborhood,” Burns continued. “This is a tremendously positive national spotlight pointed right to our Diocese and our city.”
There are more than 70 national shrines in the United States, and Dallas’ cathedral marks the third in Texas. The other two are located in San Juan and San Antonio.
Originally built in 1872 and called Sacred Heart Church, the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe was part of the first Catholic parish in Dallas, according to the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Renovations led it to become a cathedral; then it became the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe when it merged with another church. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas in the Catholic Church.
The U.S. bishops recognize churches as national shrines if they meet a list of qualifications, such as offering a wide variety of services and putting an emphasis on reaching out to different ethnic communities.
“The shrine must be dedicated to promoting the faith of the pilgrims by centering on a mystery of the Catholic faith, a devotion based on authentic Church tradition, revelations recognized by the Church, or the lives of those in the Church’s calendar of saints,” reads the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe offers Mass in English and Spanish. The church’s pastor, Father Jesús Belmontes, was thrilled his cathedral received the recognition from the bishops.
“This Cathedral has been a sanctuary for countless souls, a place of worship, and a center for spiritual growth,” Belmontes said, according to The Texas Catholic. “Its architecture and history serve as an architectural analog of God’s grace as it continues the mission to serve the needs of its parishioners, the diocese, and the community at large. We are committed to continuing our service, faith, and community mission, and this recognition will inspire us to do even more for our parishioners and the city.”