
Today Ma and I hopped a few blocks eastward to go to mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. DC's only Basilica.
Here she is up on the alter with the Jesus mosaic behind her.
I have been in DC for 16 years now and have been in many of its churches and I have been in catholic churches and basilicas and cathedrals around the world - often with Ma. This one is really special.
Like the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice - which we saw in 2006 - the ceiling of our DC Shrine is a succession of decorated domes. Beautifullly decorated. Differently than any I have seen. Tiny tiles making amazing mosaics - infused with lots of glittering gold.
Each of the domes is an independent unit - leading to the last half dome in the north apse - which features the incredible mosaic above - the awesome, apocalyptic (see the flames) Christ in Majesty. He comes to judge justly (depicted by raised right brow) and with compassion (depicted by the relaxed left brow).
This is part of the outside of the Basilica - with the main dome and the north apse showing.
There are sculptures of saints all along the outside. Ma found Malachai - for whom her (our) dog is named - in part.
Here are some more snaps from the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception...
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