In our weekly video series "Art That Surrounds Us," Johan van Parys, Ph.D., our Director of Liturgy and Sacred Arts, shares information about a piece from The Basilica of Saint Mary's art collection.

On February 1, 1926, Pope Pius XI bestowed the title of Minor Basilica on what was then known as the Pro-Cathedral of Saint Mary. The symbol of a half-opened umbrella, known as an ombrellino or umbraculum, is a symbol for a basilica with historical roots. This week, Johan shares more about these roots and our newly commissioned ombrellino, which was blessed by Archbishop Bernard Hebda on Easter.

Photo provided by: 

Mae Desaire