Baltimore Basilica - America's First Cathedral

06/26/2026

Do you have a devotion to the Sacred Heart?

The major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque will visit the Basilica of the Assumption on July 5 and 6, inviting the faithful to pray for the United States and entrust the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. July 5 at the Baltimore Basilica, followed by public veneration of the sacred relics and events to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. All are invited to tour America’s first cathedral and join an outdoor celebration.

Veneration will continue July 5 until 7 p.m. and resume July 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A 17th-century French Visitation sister, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque inspired worldwide devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus after she received visions of Christ between 1673 and 1675. She was canonized in 1920 and is known as the Apostle of the Sacred Heart.

Her sacred relics are traveling across the United States as part of a pilgrimage sponsored by the Knights of Columbus to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

WHAT: Major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque will be available for public veneration at the Basilica of the Assumption as Catholics pray for the United States and entrust the country to the loving protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

WHEN: Sunday, July 5, Mass at 10:30 followed by public veneration of the sacred relics and events to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary; Monday, July 6, veneration from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Basilica of the Assumption, 409 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201

06/24/2026

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Major relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the 17th-century French nun known as the Apostle of the Sacred Heart, will be available for public veneration at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore July 5-6 as part of a nationwide tour organized b...

06/23/2026

Road to 250: One Church. Three Distinctions.

Few churches in the world hold the combined distinction of Cathedral, Minor Basilica, and Marian Shrine. The Baltimore Basilica is one of that select group, uniquely serving as America’s First Cathedral and the birthplace of the Catholic Church in the United States.

As our nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary, join us at the place where so much of American Catholic history began.

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at America’s First Cathedral!
Sunday, July 5 | 10:30 AM Mass

A festive reception with refreshments will follow Mass.

Have you ever visited a church that is a Cathedral, Basilica, and Shrine all in one? Let us know in the comments.

06/21/2026

Honored to have Fr. Alex celebrate his first Mass at the Baltimore Basilica - America's First Cathedral.

06/20/2026

Congratulations to the newly ordained Fr. Alex Kulik!

We are thrilled to welcome Fr. Alex back to the Baltimore Basilica as he celebrates his First Mass of Thanksgiving tomorrow, Sunday, June 21, at 10:30 AM.

Fr. James Boric will serve as the homilist for this special Mass. Following the liturgy, all are invited to join us for a celebration in Sexton's Lodge Café.

Please keep Fr. Alex in your prayers as he begins his priestly ministry, and join us as we give thanks to God for the gift of his vocation.

06/18/2026

Please join us at the Baltimore Basilica on Friday evening (6/19) as we prepare for the ordination of five new priests for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

At 4:00 PM, Archbishop Lori will bless the chalices that these men will use throughout their priestly ministry. Following the blessing, a Holy Hour for Vocations will be offered from 4:30–5:30 PM.

This is a beautiful opportunity to gather in prayer for these soon-to-be priests on the eve of their ordination and to ask the Lord to continue raising up holy vocations to serve His Church.

All are welcome. We hope you will join us in praying for these men and for their future ministry in our Archdiocese.

06/16/2026

Road to 250: Stories from the Baltimore Basilica

Did you know that America's First Cathedral played a major role in shaping Catholic life across the United States?

Throughout the 19th century, the Baltimore Basilica hosted the historic Councils of Bishops that helped guide the growth of the Catholic Church in a young nation. Most notably, the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore (1884) brought together hundreds of bishops, making it one of the largest gatherings of Catholic leaders outside of Rome since the Council of Trent.

Among its lasting contributions were the commissioning of the Baltimore Catechism, which educated generations of American Catholics, and support for the founding of The Catholic University of America.

From these sacred walls, decisions were made that helped shape the future of the Church in the United States.

Did you learn the faith using the Baltimore Catechism? Share your memories in the comments below!

06/14/2026

The latest issue of the Catholic Review features two inspiring stories connected to the Baltimore Basilica.

✨ “Pure Joy” highlights the remarkable life and vocation of Sr. Imelda Joy, whose joyful witness continues to inspire so many.

✨ “Powerful Eucharistic Encounter” shares the story of Deacon Alex Kulik, whose path to the priesthood was profoundly shaped by an encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Deacon Alex will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore on June 20 and will celebrate his First Mass at the Basilica on Sunday, June 21 at 10:30 AM.

We are grateful for the faithful witness of Sr. Imelda Joy and Deacon Alex, and for the many ways God continues to work through the people of our Basilica parish.

Have you had the chance to meet Sr. Imelda Joy or Deacon Alex? Share a word of encouragement or a memory in the comments below!

The Catholic Review
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bmorevocations

06/10/2026

What a blessing today was!

https://catholicreview.org/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-features-a-blessing-for-baltimore-from-atop-the-washington-monument/

From one of Baltimore’s most iconic landmarks, the Eucharist was lifted in prayer over the city as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

06/10/2026

June 10, 2026 - The morning mass at the Baltimore Basilica, America’s First Cathedral

www.americasfirstcathedral.org