On the anniversary of the day it was dedicated — the feast of the Queenship of Mary — Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine near Orlando became, officially, a basilica.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

It wasn’t a new gut-gripping ride that attracted the visitors and locals to Orlando’s tourist corridor Saturday.

Rather, they flocked to the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe facing Interstate 4 for a ceremony commemorating Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to elevate the shrine to the third minor basilica in Florida.

Several among the thousands there said it renewed their faith.

About 2,000 people filled the pews and line around the shrine as they watched the ringing of the tintinnabulum, a bell used in religious ceremonies to signify the arrival of the pope. Along with the bell, an ombrellino, a half-opened gold-and-red umbrella like those used to shade the pope, were carried to the altar amid singing from the choir.

Although the pope hasn’t visited the 2,000-seat shrine, Bishop Thomas Wenski said Benedict’s decision to elevate the church’s status will bring the congregation closer to the church. The shrine was selected as basilica because of the dedication it has given to the millions of tourists who come from all over the world.

The ministry began out of the trunk of a car in the 1970s and eventually offered Mass in hotel ballrooms before the shrine on Vineland Avenue opened its doors in 1986.

“I hope it [basilica status] connects them to the Holy Father — Pope Benedict,” Wenski said. “The pope is the universal pastor of the church and, certainly, this parish is for the universe.”

Basilicas rank higher than all other parish churches except cathedrals, and there are two levels of basilica, major and minor. The Vatican, which must approve the status, considers a church’s beauty, size and mission before granting the honor. There currently are four major and 1,534 minor basilicas worldwide. Orlando’s is one of 63 minor basilicas nationwide.

The AP also has a write-up. And the local TV station has video of the celebration.