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New symbols arrive at the basilica

Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Fr. Edward C. Hathaway, rector, holds the new ombrellino for the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A tiny, red and gold umbrella with
delicate, stitched crests on its scalloped-shaped flaps. Blue and white enameled
images encircling a small bell. That’s how one might describe an ombrellino and
a tintinnabulum — two symbols present in every basilica around the world. The
Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria will welcome its own custom-made items at a
Mass with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Sept. 8.

St. Mary was named a basilica by the
Congregation for Divine Worship for its historical significance and beauty Dec.
6, 2017. The announcement was made to the diocese during a Mass celebrated at
St. Mary Jan. 14, 2018. Since then, craftsmen have been working diligently to
create the unique symbols.

Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector, began
the process by envisioning which crests should grace the eight sections of the
ombrellino. He decided on the crests of the basilica, the Diocese of Arlington,
Bishop Burbidge and Pope Francis. He also chose the crests of the pope who led
the church when St. Mary was established — Pope Pius VI — and the corresponding
crest of the archdiocese at the time — Baltimore. The last two sections have a
dogwood — the state flower of Virginia — and the year the church was founded
and the year it became a basilica.

The ombrellino took five months to make,
according to Louis DiCocco of St. Jude Liturgical Arts Studio, whose company
also created the ombrellino at the Basilica of National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington. Though based near Philadelphia, they use
seamstresses from Belgium to hand-embroider the crests, said DiCocco.

The liturgical firm made the
tintinnabulum using an ancient enameling process called cloisonné, said
DiCocco. The four images on the tintinnabulum are from the basilica’s seal. The
ornate M is for Mary and the IHS refers to the emblem of the Jesuits who
founded the parish. The stars are from the diocese’s seal and the boat
represents the port town of Alexandria.

The ombrellino and tintinnabulum both represent the basilica’s connection to the Holy See, said Father Hathaway. The red and gold of the ombrellino are Vatican colors. The tintinnabulum is representative of the bells that would alert people when the pope was arriving. After the Mass, the symbols will be mounted permanently on the wall behind the altar. 

Father Hathaway invites everyone to attend the special Mass Sept. 8. “It’s a great joy for me to be the rector of the Basilica of St. Mary and to host the Bishop for this celebration,” he said. “It’s a sign of honor not only for the many generations of parishioners here, but it’s also a great honor for the Diocese of Arlington. It is a recognition from the Holy Father that we are one of the principal places of worship in the nation and the world. For that, I am very grateful and happy.”

tin tinn

Find out more

The Mass for the reception of the basilica symbols will be celebrated
by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary,
310 South Royal St., Alexandria. A reception will follow in the Lyceum, 313
Duke St., Alexandria. All are welcome. 

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