Jacksonville church celebrates Minor Basilica designation with Monday service

[Tacachale]

A nice writeup about Immaculate Conception being designated a minor basilica:

Jacksonville's oldest Catholic church will celebrate its Papal designation as a Minor Basilica with a 5:30 p.m. Monday Mass of Thanksgiving at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 121 E. Duval St.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/breaking-news/2013-12-04/story/jacksonville-church-celebrates-minor-basilica-designation-monday#ixzz2mZdChcbv

For non-Catholic readers, Catholic churches can be designated a "basilica" if they have an important history or house important relics. There are four major basilicas, all in Rome, and about 1400 minor basilicas throughout the world. Immaculate Conception was designated a minor basilica by the Vatican this past August due to its history, its significant architecture, and its significance to the community as Jacksonville's oldest Catholic congregation. It is one of only 6 basilicas in Florida and 77 in the U.S. The celebratory mass should be a beautiful occasion.