We are a Basilica!

What is a Basilica? Basilica means “royal house” in Greek. In the Catholic Church, “Basilica” is a title of honor bestowed on a church of historical and spiritual importance by the Holy Father. Only a pope can create a minor basilica, something only popes within the last two centuries have done, starting with Pius VI in 1783. 
These exceptional churches serve as an important center for the entire community of faith in demonstrating and living out the rich values of the Gospel

St. Mary of the Angels is the 83rd Minor Basilica designated in the United States of America, the third Minor Basilica in the Diocese of Buffalo along with Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna and Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Lewiston, NY. The ninth basilica designated by Our Holy Father Pope Francis during his pontificate. 

It is a "minor" basilica because there are only four "major" basilicas in Rome.  Minor basilicas around the world are accorded some of the privileges of the four major basilicas.

The bestowal of the title initiates a very particular bond between the church and the Holy Father and sets the church apart in rank from other churches. While the principal church of the Diocese of Buffalo is St. Joseph’s Cathedral, where the cathredra is found (the chair of the Bishop, the symbol of his authority), a basilica ranks after the Cathedral as a church of great distinction.

 The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments is the office of the Holy See which the Pope entrusts to review petitions for Minor Basilica status. This office is headed by Robert Cardinal Sarah at the time of our application submission. He is the Vatican official who signed our decree with authority bestowed by the Pope to grant this title to our church.