Yamoussoukro, the Great African Basilica. It greatly resembles St. Peter's in the Vatican, but it is found in Africa -- the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. A basilica …More
Yamoussoukro, the Great African Basilica.
It greatly resembles St. Peter's in the Vatican, but it is found in Africa -- the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. A basilica dedicated, as its name suggests, to Our Lady of Peace, and its central nave holds up to 7,000 people seated and 11,000 standing. Its foundation stone was blessed in 1985, and the basilica was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1990.
In this country, Catholics are in the minority, only 300,000 faithful in a population of 10 million inhabitants. However, the construction of the Basilica was encouraged by the then President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. In Yamoussoukro, Catholics represent 13% of the total population.
The basilica resembles the beauty of the Vatican, yet it is not a replica. Some call it "Saint Peter's" because its builders were much inspired by it. But there are differences, such as the large cross placed on its dome, as well as the dome itself which the Pope wished slightly lower than that of St. Peter's. Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is not a cathedral but a minor basilica, managed by the Pallottine Fathers. The cathedral itself is located nearby, and is dedicated to St. Augustine.
The author of this great African church is a Lebanese architect Pierre Fakhory. Marble was imported from Italy and Spain, while the windows are from France. The gardens which host the pilgrims are symmetrical, modeled after the gardens of Versailles in France. There are two golden statues of the Virgin. The largest stained-glass window in the world is found in the basilica. It was manufactured in Nanterre, France, and covers 7,363 square meters.
This basilica is a place of pilgrimage, ever greeting the faithful from around the world. It has been the setting for important meetings, including the World Day of the Sick.
“On the day when this shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Peace, we recall that the first missionaries who came to this land consecrated the Church to the Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Peace, again we entrust the Church of this diocese, of all dioceses in the country, to you. Through you, we are consecrated to your Son.
O Mary, guide us to your Son, He that is the Way, the Truth and the Life!”
www.mariedenazareth.com
It greatly resembles St. Peter's in the Vatican, but it is found in Africa -- the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. A basilica dedicated, as its name suggests, to Our Lady of Peace, and its central nave holds up to 7,000 people seated and 11,000 standing. Its foundation stone was blessed in 1985, and the basilica was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1990.
In this country, Catholics are in the minority, only 300,000 faithful in a population of 10 million inhabitants. However, the construction of the Basilica was encouraged by the then President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. In Yamoussoukro, Catholics represent 13% of the total population.
The basilica resembles the beauty of the Vatican, yet it is not a replica. Some call it "Saint Peter's" because its builders were much inspired by it. But there are differences, such as the large cross placed on its dome, as well as the dome itself which the Pope wished slightly lower than that of St. Peter's. Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is not a cathedral but a minor basilica, managed by the Pallottine Fathers. The cathedral itself is located nearby, and is dedicated to St. Augustine.
The author of this great African church is a Lebanese architect Pierre Fakhory. Marble was imported from Italy and Spain, while the windows are from France. The gardens which host the pilgrims are symmetrical, modeled after the gardens of Versailles in France. There are two golden statues of the Virgin. The largest stained-glass window in the world is found in the basilica. It was manufactured in Nanterre, France, and covers 7,363 square meters.
This basilica is a place of pilgrimage, ever greeting the faithful from around the world. It has been the setting for important meetings, including the World Day of the Sick.
“On the day when this shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Peace, we recall that the first missionaries who came to this land consecrated the Church to the Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Peace, again we entrust the Church of this diocese, of all dioceses in the country, to you. Through you, we are consecrated to your Son.
O Mary, guide us to your Son, He that is the Way, the Truth and the Life!”
www.mariedenazareth.com