With Pope Francis’ jubilant visit to Washington last week, we were all treated to a television view of the National Shrine when the Pope gave a mass there.  I think many of us would like to tour the Shrine and learn more about its significance.

We were able to be scheduled for a tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine for Saturday October 31 at 11 am.   The number of participants will be limited so please send your RSVP to Carolyn Kulisheck [email protected] as soon as possible if you would like to go on this tour.

There is a large parking lot next to the Basilica and it is easy to enter. A short walk across the street to the entrance of the Basilica on the ground floor. A sign points you to where the tours begin.  The tours are free.

After the tour concludes, we can go to the cafeteria and have lunch together  There are small tables that we can push together so we can sit with each other.  The food is “cafeteria” style - salads, soup, sandwiches and deserts.  There were a couple of entries - baked chicken and spaghetti and meatballs.  The prices are reasonable.  There are several gift shops and bookstores in the same area.