Press Release, 1 July 2016
During her working visit to the United States of America, Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, made a welcome address at the exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Chapel of Our Lady of Šiluva.
Photo of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America
According to the Speaker of the Seimas, the Chapel is a remarkable proof of ethnic and religious feelings of Lithuanians living in North America, manifesting their strong ties with Lithuania and its cultural and religious traditions. The Chapel of Our Lady of Šiluva is located in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The Basilica houses 70 chapels of various sizes.
In her welcome address, Mrs Graužinienė stressed that the period of fifty years since the opening of the Chapel had been of historical importance to Lithuania. Lithuania suffered Soviet occupation for half of the period and enjoyed independence for the remaining half. However, as the Speaker put it, the engagement of Lithuanian Americans throughout the period had been crucial to their fellow nationals living in Lithuania.
“During the period of occupation, you supported our hope that the Soviet empire would fall someday. Since Lithuania restored its independence, you have been guiding us and helping us to build and reinforce the democratic Lithuanian state,” the Speaker of the Seimas said.
The Speaker of the Seimas thanked the Šiluva Chapel in Washington 50 Year Jubilee Committee, under the leadership of Victor Nakas, and expressed her wishes that the events, such as the celebration of the jubilee of the Chapel, would consolidate the Lithuanian nation around the world.
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, constructed in 1961, is the largest Catholic Church in North America, which can host over 2,500 people. In 1962, the Lithuanian Catholic community in the US decided to establish their chapel in the Basilica. The project was led by Vincent Brizgys (1903–1992). The Chapel was developed by famous artists in emigration: sculptor Vytautas Kašuba (1915–1997), stained glass master Albinas Bielskis-Elskus (1926–2007), and graphic designer and stained glass master Vytautas Kazimieras Jonynas (1907–1997). The Chapel of Our Lady of Šiluva was dedicated on 4 September 1966.
Neringa Mikėnaitė, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6344, mob. +370 698 42 759, e-mail: [email protected]
