A day of ceremony

Larry Sandler reports in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the dedication mass of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, generally known as just Holy Hill. See "Basilica in the canonical sense" in this Catholic Encyclopedia entry. Archbishop Dolan presided.

"It's just kind of a booster shot," Dolan said of the basilica status in an interview. He also described the designation as "the Vatican's Good Housekeeping seal of approval" and "a tribute to our roots" as a church that has served successive waves of immigrants.

It's the second church designated a minor basilica in Wisconsin, joining the Basilica of St. Josaphat.