28 Minor Basilicas of India

Synonyms

Basilicas; Churches; Major basilica; Minor basilica

Definition

Basilicas are important places of pilgrimage or for a specific devotion such as to a saint, designated as such by the Pope. There are major and minor basilicas; 28 of the minor basilicas are in India.

Introduction

The title, basilica, is bestowed upon large Roman Catholic churches that are important as places of pilgrimage or for a specific devotion such as to a saint. A basilica is a large public building with multiple functions, typically built alongside the town’s forum in ancient Roman architecture. The basilica was in the Latin West equivalent to a stoa in the Greek East. In some ranking a cathedral of a bishop is ranked above a basilica. By the Canon Law, only the Holy See can honor a church with the title, basilica, because of its importance. The distinction between major basilicas and minor basilicas appears to have arisen in the early eighteenth century. The earliest document that records the use of the...