Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai

The Sheshan Basilica, known as Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians is a prominent Roman Catholic church in Shanghai. Its common name comes from its location on the western peak of Sheshan Hill, located in Songjiang District, to the west of Shanghai's metropolitan area.
English Name: Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai
Chinese Name: 上海佘山进教之佑圣母大殿
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open on Sundays
Recommended Visiting Hours:  2 or 3 hours
Location: Sheshan peak, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China

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Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan

The Sheshan Basilica, officially the National Shrine and Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan (Chinese: 佘山進敎之佑聖母大殿; pinyin: Shéshān jìnjiào zhī yòu shèngmǔ dàdiàn) and also known as Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians is a prominent Roman Catholic church in Shanghai. Its common name comes from its location on the western peak of Sheshan Hill, located in Songjiang District, to the west of Shanghai’s metropolitan area.

Background of Our Lady of Sheshan

Our Mother of Sheshan or Our Lady of Sheshan (佘山聖母), also known as Our Mother (or Lady) of Zo-sè (Zo-sè being the original from the Shanghainese pronunciation of Sheshan), is a celebrated Marian title of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated by Chinese Roman Catholics. Among its religious devotees, the statue is sometimes known as Our Lady of Luck or Our Lady of Good Luck due to the Chinese symbology of “Fu” (福) associated with the styling posture of the entire image. The original image is currently enshrined in the National Shrine and Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, in Shanghai, China.

It was previously romanized as Zosè Basilica (pronounced “Zoh-seh“), using the Shanghainese pronunciation of “佘山” (Sheshan). Inside the shrine, the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Mary Help of Christiase Catholics.ns is venerated as the patroness of the basilica, along with the recently reconstructed icon of Our Mother of Sheshan, both venerated by Chine.

Significance of May 24

Sheshan Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians is one of the most prominent pilgrimage shrines in China.

In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI released a Letter to Chinese Catholics, in which he asked that May 24 each year be celebrated as a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He chose May 24 because it is the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, who is venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. The following year Pope Benedict composed a prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan.

In May 24, 2009, during his Regina Caeli papal address, Pope Benedict XVI designated May 24, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, as a day of prayer for Chinese Catholics calling them to renew their fidelity to the Pope as the sole successor of Saint Peter. To this day, every May 24, the Basilica welcomes great throngs of people, not only from China but from other countries around the world

Our Lady of Sheshan, please pray for us.

Layout of Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan

The church occupies an area of 1 hectare and is about 70 feet (20 m) tall. It is a rectangular Latin cross in shape, and in classical basilica form. Entrances are placed in the north, west, and south. The main door is in the southwest. The nave is 55.81 m long, 24.68 m wide. The ceiling is 16.46 m high, and the church can seat 3000. The altar is placed at the eastern end, and is built of marble with gold trim and in-laid jade. The exterior is mainly granite, and part of the roof is covered in Chinese-style color-glazed tiles.

The bell tower stands on the south-east corner. It is 38 m tall. At the top of its bell tower stands a 4.8m bronze Madonna and Child statue (“Our Lady of Zosè”).

How to get to Sheshan Basilica from Shanghai