About Basilica of Regina Pacis · Brooklyn, New York
The Basilica of Regina Pacis (Latin for "Queen of Peace") is a Roman Catholic minor basilica located at 1230 65th Street in the Bensonhurst/Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, New York, within the Diocese of Brooklyn. Originally built as a World War II votive shrine honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Queen of Peace, it was founded by Msgr. Angelo R. Cioffi in 1942 and dedicated on August 15, 1951. Raised to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2012, it is celebrated for its Italian Renaissance–style marble interior, the 52-foot ceiling mural of the Coronation of Mary by Italian artist Ignacio LaRussa, and its diamond-studded gold crowns blessed by Pope Pius XII. Since 2017, when the diocese closed the older Church of St. Rosalia, the basilica has served as the parish church of the merged Parish of St. Rosalia–Regina Pacis.
- Established
- 1942 (vow) / 1948 (construction)
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of Peace (BVM Regina Pacis)
- Rector
- Rev. Sebastien (Sebastian) Tarcisio Andro
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
Why belong here
The Basilica of Regina Pacis offers one of the most distinctive parish experiences in Brooklyn: a marble-clad Italian Renaissance interior under a 52-foot ceiling mural, with Mass celebrated in four languages (English, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin) every Sunday — a rare witness to the immigrant diversity of Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights. Parishioners can participate in a vibrant music ministry, weekly Eucharistic Adoration in St. Joseph Chapel, traditional novenas (Miraculous Medal on Mondays, St. Anthony on Tuesdays, Divine Mercy on Wednesdays), the Spanish-language Unidos en Cristo prayer group with Benediction, the parish's Catholic Charities food-assistance outreach, and sacramental preparation in English and Spanish. The basilica's identity as both a historic WWII-era shrine and an active, multilingual parish makes it a meaningful spiritual home for families seeking devotional depth as well as for visitors interested in one of New York City's most magnificent churches.
Mass times at Basilica of Regina Pacis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Upper Basilica)
- Weekday mornings after Mass, approximately 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
- Also upon request at the rectory office
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM in St. Joseph Chapel (Eucharistic Adoration following the 8:30 AM Mass)
About the Basilica of Regina Pacis
The Basilica of Regina Pacis (Queen of Peace) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica at 1230 65th Street in the Bensonhurst/Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn. It is the parish church of the merged Parish of St. Rosalia–Regina Pacis in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Originally vowed in 1942 by Msgr. Angelo R. Cioffi as a World War II shrine to Mary, Queen of Peace, it was dedicated on August 15, 1951 and elevated to basilica status by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2012.
- Address: 1230 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219
- Phone: (718) 236-0909
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
- Type: Minor Basilica / Shrine / Parish Church
- Patron: Mary, Queen of Peace (BVM Regina Pacis)
History & Origins
The basilica grew out of the Parish of St. Rosalia, founded in 1902 by Bishop Charles McDonnell as the 'Mother Church of Italian immigrants' in Brooklyn. Msgr. Angelo R. Cioffi, pastor from 1923 to 1979, called the parish to vow the Regina Pacis shrine during a May 1942 Mass for peace and the safe return of soldiers. Construction began in 1948; the church was dedicated August 15, 1951. In June 2017 the diocese closed the original St. Rosalia church, merging it with the basilica parish.
- 1902 — Parish of St. Rosalia founded by Bishop Charles McDonnell
- 1923 — Msgr. Angelo R. Cioffi appointed pastor
- May 1942 — Vow to build the Regina Pacis shrine during WWII
- October 3, 1948 — Groundbreaking
- October 29, 1949 — Cornerstone blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Kearney
- August 15, 1951 — Dedication by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy
- November 2012 — Elevated to minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI
- June 2017 — Church of St. Rosalia closed and merged into the basilica parish
Architecture & Art
Designed by architect Anthony J. DePace in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, the basilica is built entirely of marble imported from various parts of Italy and features twin pulpits in the manner of Italian cathedrals. It was one of the first air-conditioned churches in the United States when it opened in 1950. The signature interior artwork is the 52-foot ceiling mural of the Coronation of Our Lady Regina Pacis, painted over three years in Rome and New York by Ignacio LaRussa.
- Architect: Anthony J. DePace
- Style: Italian Renaissance Revival
- Materials: Italian marble (throughout)
- 52-foot ceiling mural of the Coronation of Our Lady Regina Pacis by Ignacio LaRussa (60 × 27 ft)
- Two flanking oval paintings (Assumption of Mary, Resurrection of Jesus) by LaRussa
- Painting of the patroness over the main altar by Ilario Panzironi
- Construction cost: approx. $2,000,000
The Crowning of Regina Pacis and the 'Miracle'
Following the 1949 cornerstone blessing, Msgr. Cioffi asked parishioners to donate wedding rings and other jewelry as thanksgiving for the war's end. The DeNatale Brothers of Manhattan crafted two gold crowns over three years. The crowns were blessed by Pope Pius XII in Rome and placed on the image of Mary and the Christ Child on May 24, 1952. Eight days later the crowns were stolen; some 12,000 visitors prayed for their return and they were mailed back to the parish a week later — an event long held as a miracle and locally linked to organized crime figure Joseph Profaci. The crowns were stolen a second time on January 10, 1973, and recovered 12 days later from a locker at the East Side Airlines Terminal after an FBI tip.
- Crowns made from donated parishioner jewelry by DeNatale Brothers
- Blessed by Pope Pius XII in Rome
- Crowning ceremony: May 24, 1952
- First theft: returned through the mail a week later (1952)
- Second theft: January 10, 1973, recovered 12 days later via FBI tip
Music Ministry
The basilica has an active music ministry that supports the Sunday and multilingual liturgies. Recordings of parish performances — including the choir's rendition of Misericordes Sicut Pater at the 12:00 PM Mass on October 17, 2021 — are published on the parish website. The ministry welcomes new members; interested singers and musicians are invited to contact the parish through the website.
- Parish choir
- Multilingual liturgical support (English, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin)
- Open invitation to join the choir via the parish website
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is housed in the Basilica Conference Center on the parish campus, with bilingual (English/Spanish) programming for children and families preparing for the sacraments. The Faith Formation office can be reached at (347) 560-6876 and [email protected].
- Located in the Basilica Conference Center
- Phone: (347) 560-6876
- Email: [email protected]
Outreach & Charity
The parish actively partners with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. In July 2024 the parish donated $50,000 to fund food-assistance programs for neighbors in need. Pastor Fr. Sebastian Tarcisio Andro has framed the gift as a 'humble seed' entrusted to Catholic Charities, urging other parishes to sustain the agency's 125-year legacy.
- Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens partnership
- $50,000 donation to food-assistance programs (July 2024)
- Parish framed as a model for solidarity across the diocese
Visiting, Hours & Practical Info
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with a lunch break from 1:00–2:00 PM. St. Joseph Chapel is open weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM for prayer. The Gift Shop is open Sundays 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and during weekday chapel hours. The basilica is at 1230 65th Street near 12th Avenue in Brooklyn and is served by NYC transit and local parking.
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (lunch 1:00–2:00 PM)
- Chapel Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Gift Shop: Sun 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Gift Shop phone: (718) 234-0140
- Address: 1230 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently led by Rev. Sebastien (Sebastian) Tarcisio Andro as pastor. He previously served as parochial vicar of the parish from September 2021 and was named administrator effective January 1, 2022. Rev. Msgr. Ronald T. Marino, the previous pastor, was named pastor emeritus effective December 31, 2021, while remaining in residence. The Diocese of Brooklyn is led by Bishop Robert J. Brennan.
- Pastor: Rev. Sebastien Tarcisio Andro (since 2022)
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Msgr. Ronald T. Marino
- Diocesan Bishop: Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P. Sapienza1902–
Founding pastor of the Parish of St. Rosalia (the parish within which Regina Pacis was built). Celebrated first Masses in a converted clapboard house on 62nd Street near 13th Avenue.
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Angelo R. Cioffi1923–1979
Appointed pastor by Bishop Thomas E. Molloy. Led the parish for 56 years, vowed the Regina Pacis shrine during WWII in May 1942, broke ground in 1948, and saw it dedicated in 1951. Personally received the diamond crowns from Pope Pius XII in Rome in 1952.
- Rev. Msgr. Ronald T. Marino
Longtime pastor; made pastor emeritus effective Dec. 31, 2021, remaining in residence. In March 2018 he announced the sale of the former St. Rosalia church site.
- Rev. Sebastien (Sebastian) Tarcisio Andro2022–present
Served as parochial vicar of the parish from September 2021; named administrator effective January 1, 2022; currently pastor.