The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is said to be one of the first major Catholic churches built in a classical manner in over fifty years. It is meant to be a place for the faithful to come on pilgrimage and to foster devotion to the Blessed Virgin under her title of Patroness of the Americas. In the tradition of pilgrimage churches, the Shrine is located high upon a hill outside of the city with a campanile and dome which is visible from afar. Since it is a place for prayer and pilgrimage, the Shrine is designed to accommodate flow and movement, with seating in the nave for the liturgy and large open side aisles for circulation and prayer. The Shrine is the vision of His Eminence Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and was solemnly dedicated on July 31, 2008. Read the dedication homily.Monumental fluted corinthian pilasters and arches define the nave and give it a monumental scale. The glazed corinthian capitals symbolize the Mother of God and include cherubim who look toward the sanctuary. In between are symbols of Mary which are connected to the capitals with swags made of roses. The entablature above is inscribed with the names of the Virgin from the litany of Loreto while her symbols are reflected in the stained glass windows below. Generous side aisles flank the nave and feature the six minor shrines dedicated to the Divine Mercy and St. Faustina, St. Maria Goretti, St. Peregrine, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Blessed Miguel Pro, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, placed to encourage specific devotion. Doric confessionals are placed in the side aisles immediately in front of the crossing. Ribs punctuate the vaulted ceiling while stained glass windows follow the life of the Virgin.