Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Situated on a hill known as Mount Saint Sepulcher, the Franciscan Monastery is anchored by the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The complex includes gardens, replicas of various shrines throughout Israel, a replica of the catacombs in Rome, an archive, a library, and the bones of Saint Benignus of Armagh, which were brought from the Roman catacombs and originally located in the cathedral of Narni, Italy. These features provide a rich and diverse experience for visitors.

Design and Architecture of the Memorial Church

The Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a key feature of the Franciscan Monastery, was designed by architect Aristide Leonori. Construction began in 1898 and was completed in 1899. The design of the church alludes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, with a floor plan that loosely resembles the fivefold Jerusalem cross. The church was built in the neo-Byzantine style, resembling Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, with some Romanesque influences added to the design. This architectural blend offers visitors a unique aesthetic experience.

The Rosary Portico and its Features

The Rosary Portico, designed by John Joseph Earley, surrounds the church. It features fifteen chapels depicting the mysteries of the Rosary, with each chapel containing plaques bearing the Hail Mary in nearly two hundred ancient and modern languages. The Rosary Portico resembles the Cloister of St. John Lateran in Rome and Saint Paul's Outside the Walls. The facade is decorated with various Christian symbols from the catacombs, adding to the spiritual and historical richness of the site.