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Washington, D.C.: Saint John Paul II National Shrine

 

The History of the Saint John Paul II National Shrine:

Visiting Washington DC anytime soon? Located just down the street from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and adjacent to the Catholic University of America campus is a wonderful testament to the life and profound effects of the Papacy of Pope John Paul II. Originally named the John Paul II Cultural Center, it has many displays and interactive exhibits it was designed to be a great experience for all ages.

Unfortunately, the center was beset with financial difficulties not long after its founding and discontinued most museum activities in 2006, with the exception of a period of time during the Beatification of Pope John Paul II.

Instead it was used as a research center on the life of Pope John Paul II and then put up for sale. Subsequently, The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, who were planning to buy the center backed out when they decided that their funds were too limited to go ahead with the purchase. It began to look as if the center would end up under-used and never reach its full potential.

However, on August 2, 2011, during the Knights of Columbus annual business meeting in Denver, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced that the Knights of Columbus would be buying the center and with the cooperation of Archbishop Donald Wuerl has begun to develop as originally hoped for.

 

About the Saint John Paul II National Shrine:

Exterior of the John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C.It has now been officially designated as a shrine: The Saint John Paul II National Shrine. It is destined to become what the original planners had hoped for: a center to honor the legacy of this amazing Pope. With the Knights behind it, the results have been truly insprational.

The Redemptor Hominis Church contains beautiful mosaics on the walls that recount God’s mercy through significant moments in our salvation history. Images on the altar, ambo, and pillars inspire reflection on holy men and women who spread the Gospel.  Visitors can attend daily Mass and receive the sacraments in the Redemptor Hominis Church and venerate a first-class relic of Saint John Paul II in the Luminous Mysteries Chapel.

The liturgical schedule for Monday through Saturday is:
Rosary at 11:10 a.m.
Confession at 11:30 a.m.
Holy Mass (preceded by the Angelus) at 12:00 p.m.

The liturgical schedule for Sunday is:

Confession at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Mass at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

We look forward to further expansion as the Knights continue their wonderful work here.

 

Traveling to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine:

Admission and parking are free. The Shrine is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Address: 3900 Harewood Rd NE, Washington, DC 20017

GPS coordinates: 38° 56′ 15.6228” N, 77° 0′ 17.1648” W

email: use the contact form on their website

Tel: +1 (202) 635-5400

Click here for a link to the official website of the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II.

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