The Main Altar

The focal point of the altar is a nine-foot marble statue of the Blessed Mother which was personally blessed by Pope Pius XI before being shipped to the United States in 1923.

A gracefully unfurled canopy supports a large gold cross held aloft by four angels.

Of particular note are the four columns surrounding Our Lady. The swirling red marble structures are patterned after similar columns seen in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Multi-Media

• Click to view a 360-degree video of the Main Altar
• Click to hear Basilica architect Gonippo Raggi's explanation of the Main Altar's design.