‘Minor Basilica’ Is a Major Honor

Mission San Juan Capistrano Catholic Church will hold a special mass Monday to mark its designation as a minor basilica, a place of worship recognized for its religious, historical and cultural significance.

“We’re very honored that it has been granted and we hope we will do honor to the title,” said Msgr. Paul Martin, pastor at the church. “It is something rather special.”

The church is the first minor basilica in Orange County. Tod D. Brown, bishop of the Diocese of Orange, will lead the 7:30 p.m. ceremony at 31522 Camino Capistrano.

A proclamation will be read and a 60-voice choir will perform. More than 50 priests will attend, along with state and local dignitaries and community members.

Mission San Juan Capistrano was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1776. The adjoining church was built 13 years ago on the mission grounds and holds 850 people.

It gained minor basilica status in February, granted by Pope John Paul II. Brown had submitted an application and a 100-page book that described the church’s significance.

Mission San Juan Capistrano Catholic Church joins such well-known places of worship as the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.; the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Florida; Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; and St. Mary’s Basilica in Galveston, Texas.

The parish will be named Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano.

There are 45 minor basilicas in the United States, including five others in California. The church’s four major basilicas are all in Rome.