Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady, Werl

Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady
Basilika Mariä Heimsuchung
Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady
Location	Werl, North Rhine-Westphalia
Country	Germany
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church

The Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady (German: Basilika Mariä Heimsuchung) also called Werl Basilica is a Catholic church located in Werl, Germany which was declared a minor basilica in 1953. It is dedicated to the Visitation of Mary.

The church was built in 1904-1906 according to the plans of the chief architect of the diocese of Münster, Wilhelm-Sunder Plaßmann in Neo-Romantic style. The temple houses the pious statue of the Virgin of Werle, also called afflictorum Consolatrix (Consolation of the afflicted), dating from the twelfth century.

Pope Pius VII granted the venerated Marian image a canonical coronation on 1 November 1811. The consecration of the church was carried out on 24 May 1911 by the bishop of Paderborn, Monsignor Schulte. Just next to the basilica is the pilgrimage church, built by the Capuchin convent of Werle in the late 18th century that had become too small for pilgrimages.

Pope Pius XII raised her sanctuary to the status of Basilica via another decree signed on 16 October 1953.

The Franciscans of Werl since 1848 are the guardians of the pilgrimage church and the Basilica of the Visitation. Its convent rebuilt in the 19th century is next door.

The basilica has been restored several times during the twentieth century and especially in the period 2002 to 2003.

See also

Internal view

• Roman Catholicism in Germany
• Visitation