Mary, Queen of the Universe

Welcome to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

The basilica is a house of pilgrimage and prayer whose mission is to inspire an ever-deeper devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church. Located at 8300 Vineland Avenue in Orlando, just off Interstate 4, it serves both as the spiritual home for Catholic residents and visitors in the heart of Central Florida's tourism corridor and as a regional tourist attraction in its own right. Daily Mass, weekday Confession, and a robust schedule of devotions are offered year-round.

Visiting & Basilica Hours

The basilica is open to visitors throughout the week, with extended hours on weekends to accommodate tourists. The Shrine Museum, Rosary Garden, Mother and Child Outdoor Chapel, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and the Shroud of Turin Exhibit are accessible during basilica hours. Docent-led tours can be arranged by contacting the basilica office.

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Address: 8300 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, FL 32821
• Phone: (407) 239-6600

History & Heritage

The Shrine was born from the pastoral challenge of ministering to the millions of Catholic tourists who began arriving in Central Florida after the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World. Bishop Thomas Grady appointed Father Fachtna Joseph Harte as director of tourism ministry in 1975; what began as Masses in hotel conference rooms grew into a vision for a permanent shrine, with 17 acres purchased near I-4 in 1979. Phase One was completed and blessed in 1986; the main sanctuary was dedicated in 1993; and the church was elevated to a National Shrine in 2004 and to a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

• 1974 — Bishop Borders assigns Father William Corry to tourism ministry
• 1975 — Father Fachtna Joseph Harte named director of tourism ministry
• 1979 — 17-acre tract purchased near Interstate 4
• December 8, 1984 — Ground broken for Phase One (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
• Summer 1985 — First Masses celebrated in a tent on the property
• November 23, 1986 — Phase One blessed by Archbishop Pio Laghi, Papal Nuncio
• August 22, 1990 — Ground broken for the main sanctuary (Feast of the Queenship of Mary)
• January 31, 1993 — First Mass in the new church
• August 22, 1993 — Church formally dedicated by Bishop Norbert Dorsey
• 2004 — Elevated to a National Shrine by the USCCB at Archbishop Wenski's petition
• 2008 — National Conference of Catholic Bishops holds spring convocation at the Shrine
• July 17, 2009 — Pope Benedict XVI designates the Shrine a minor basilica
• August 22, 2009 — Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe dedicated
• December 13, 2015 — Bishop John Noonan opens the Holy Door for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
• May 30, 2020 — Monsignor F. Joseph Harte dies; memorial endowment established
• June 1, 2025 — Father Ivan Olmo installed as the fourth rector

Architecture, Art & Sacred Artifacts

Designed by RLF Architects of Orlando with a floor plan adapted from St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the basilica marries massive scale with intimate devotional detail. A western red cedar ceiling warms the 2,000-seat sanctuary; 16 clerestory Rosary Windows and 14 Magnificat aisle windows illuminate Old and New Testament scenes, mysteries of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and major events in Church history. Three monumental bronze doors — Old Testament, New Testament, and Living Church — greet pilgrims at the entrance.

• Architect: RLF Architects (Orlando)
• Ground broken for main sanctuary: August 22, 1990
• Completed and dedicated: August 22, 1993
• Capacity: approximately 2,000 seats (3,800 campus)
• Ceiling: western red cedar
• 16 clerestory Rosary Windows
• 14 Magnificat aisle windows
• 650-pound sculpture of the crucified Christ above the altar by Jerzy Kenar
• Suspended prismatic glass cross above the altar
• Three bronze doors: Old Testament, New Testament, Living Church
• Beveled blue plate-glass sanctuary doors symbolizing purifying water
• 8-foot white Carrara marble statue of Mary, Queen of the Universe by Jill Burkee
• Bronze Mother and Child sculpture in the Outdoor Chapel by Jerzy Kenar
• Cast-iron Salve Regina statue (designed 1875 in Germany, formerly near Utrecht, Holland)
• Pilgrim Cross by Timothy Schmalz in the courtyard
• Roof tiles cover 56,000 square feet
• Holy Door designated 2015 by Bishop John Noonan

The Shrine Grounds

Beyond the main church, the basilica campus includes several contemplative spaces for pilgrims and visitors.

• Rosary Garden
• Mother and Child Outdoor Chapel
• Blessed Sacrament Chapel / Perpetual Adoration Chapel
• Shrine Museum (displaying Church art from around the world)
• Gospel Gardens (newly opened outdoor devotional garden)
• Mary's Dwelling Gift Shop (Religious Articles Store)
• Shroud of Turin Exhibit (life-sized replica from the Shroud authorities in Turin, Italy)

Devotions & Special Services

The basilica maintains a rich calendar of Marian and Eucharistic devotions throughout the year, including monthly First Friday and First Saturday observances and the live-streaming of Mass for those unable to attend in person.

• First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the main altar: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
• First Friday Divine Mercy Chaplet: 7:00 PM
• First Saturday with the Blessed Mother: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Perpetual Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
• Live-streamed Masses via the basilica website
• Shroud of Turin Exhibit (life-sized replica from the Shroud authorities in Turin, Italy)

Clergy & Staff

The basilica is led by a rector appointed by the Bishop of Orlando, assisted by parochial vicars and a dedicated lay staff. The current rector, Father Ivan Olmo, was installed effective June 1, 2025, following assignments as pastor of St. Mary in Rockledge and Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs.

• Very Rev. Ivan Olmo — Rector
• Rev. Julian Bednarz, S.D.S. — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Barthelemy Garcon, S.M.M. — Parochial Vicar
• Victor Ayala — Director of Maintenance / Facilities Supervisor
• Wanda Zambrana — Receptionist
• William Picher — Director of Liturgy & Music
• Gina Schwiegerath — Director of Operations

Volunteer & Ministry Opportunities

Volunteers are essential to the basilica's ministry and welcome Catholics of all ages, abilities, and schedules. Opportunities range from liturgical roles to welcoming visitors and caring for sacred linens.

• Usher / Greeter (Hospitality Ministry)
• Lector (Reader)
• Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
• Altar Server / Cross Bearer
• Sacristan
• Mass Coordinator
• Linen Ministry
• Docent / Tour Guide
• Religious Articles Store Volunteer (Mary's Dwelling)
• Office Volunteer

Sacraments at the Shrine

Because the basilica is a National Shrine and not a territorial parish, only the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist are routinely celebrated there. Other sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation (for adults), Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick — are normally arranged through the visitor's home parish.

• Reconciliation: daily, see schedule
• Holy Eucharist (Mass): daily and weekends, in English, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese
• Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick: not normally scheduled; referred to local parishes

Mary's Dwelling Gift Shop

The on-site religious articles store, Mary's Dwelling, carries books, sacramentals, rosaries, and devotional items for pilgrims and visitors. An online gift shop is also available through the basilica's website.

• Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Phone: (407) 239-4010

Founders & Heritage

The shrine's spiritual and architectural heritage traces to a small group of pioneers — most notably Monsignor Fachtna Joseph Harte, whose persistent vision transformed hotel-ballroom Masses into a national pilgrimage destination. His prayer at the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1979 — 'Please help me, Blessed Mother' — is remembered as the founding moment of the basilica. A memorial endowment has been established in his name through the Catholic Foundation of Central Florida to ensure the long-term stewardship of the basilica.

• Monsignor Fachtna Joseph Harte (1930–2020), founding rector (1975–2007)
• Father Ed McCarthy, rector (2007–2011)
• Father Paul Henry, rector (2011–2025)
• Very Rev. Ivan Olmo, current rector (effective June 1, 2025)
• Monsignor Harte Memorial Care of the Basilica Endowment — Catholic Foundation of Central Florida