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The upper church, the Basilica, is magnificent. This is partly due to its dome which, completed in 1954, allows natural light to flood the nave. The outside walls were built in 1955 with the interior forming a Latin cross with chapels long either side. The Basilica is also known as the Temple of the Emigrants<\/strong> as, to a large extent, it was their devotion to the \u201cMadonna di San Marco\u201d that provides needed financial support.In the middle of the Sanctuary (also referred to as the chancel or presbytery) there is an important Statue of the \u201cMadonna della Cintura\u201d venerated as the mother of consolation. The statue was carved from wood and painted in 1531. The statue\u2019s origin is believed to be the comune di Zeri in, what is now, the province of Massa and Carrara, Tuscany. However, in the 16th century comune di Zeri was part what was known as Lunigiana, an historical territory of Italy. In 1978 His Holiness, Pope John Paul 1, accorded to the Church the status of Minor Basilica giving it special ecclesiastical privileges. Minor basilicas are traditionally named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and\/or significance as centers of worship. A basilica must \u201cstand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy,\u201d according to the 1989 Vatican document Domus ecclesiae. The New Sanctuary is an important place of devotion for those living in our mountains and beyond. The annual religious Feast Day of the Madonna di San Marco is the second Sunday in July.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sundays and Feast Days<\/strong><\/p>\n In Summer: Holy Masses at 8.00 – 10.00 – 17.30<\/p>\n Vigil Mass<\/strong><\/p>\n In Summer: Holy Masses at 17.30<\/p>\n Weekdays (Monday to Friday)<\/strong><\/p>\n In Summer: Holy Masses at 17.30<\/p>\n Confessions<\/strong><\/p>\n Saturdays: from 16.30 to 18.30Times of Masses.<\/h3>\n
\nSundays and Feast Days: before the Holy Masses.[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1526210673056-a180bcb248b14636d965d7d066fba8ee-2″ include=”1214,1205,1207,1208,1209,1210,1212,1213,1215,1216,1399,1400″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]