The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption
Project Description
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption is a Minor Basilica located in Marietta, Ohio. It is also a parish church of the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio.
On June 13, 2013 St. Mary’s was elevated to the status of a minor basilica by Pope Francis, with the Inaugural Mass Solemnizing the Designation of St. Mary’s as a Basilica celebrated on November 5, 2013.
The pastoral leaders and staff from the new Basilica contacted Ghirelli with a request for a special custom rosary to commemorate this special honor.
Ghirelli designers used many of the Basilica’s beautiful aesthetic and artistic details to design and create the components of the rosary – with original hand drawn sketches (on sheets of paper and napkins!) submitted to our team for the creation of the Our Father beads. The results – truly breathtaking.
Project Details
Beads: Available in both 8mm Black Marbled Bohemian glass beads and 8mm Ivory Pearl glass beads Crucifix: This beautiful Basilica Rosary’s crucifix is adorned with replicas of the unique items in the Basilica’s interior. On the bottom is the life size white marble Holy Family, on the top is the Perpetual Help Icon, on the left is the Tabernacle and on the right is the altar with statues of Jesus and His apostles. Centerpiece: The front is designed from the Assumption of the Blessed Mary painting above the Tabernacle; the back of the center piece is a design of the Basilica exterior.
Project Features
The backs of all the “Our Father” medals have the symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary found in the dome of the Basilica which were drawn by artist and parishioner, Jeanne Tasse: MATER ECCLESIAE (Mother of the Church), Mary is Mother to 
the members of Christ; MATER DOLORIS (Mother of Sorrows), because of her great sorrows, Mary’s heart was pierced with a sword; MARIA / JESSE (Mary, flower from the stem of Jesse), from Mary’s and Jesus’ genealogical tree; STELLA MARIS (Star of the Sea), Mary, as a star guides us through the sea of life; MATER PURISSIMA (Mother most pure), God’s glory shines through Mary; MARIA, FOEDERIS ARCA (Mary, ark of the covenant), Covered in gold, the ark symbolizes the purity and greatness of Mary.