The conferral of this title, granted by the Holy See through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, places this church amongst the sites of particular liturgical and pastoral significance within the diocese. However, as the Archbishop himself emphasised, the significance of a Basilica goes far beyond architectural or institutional recognition.

In his homily, in fact, Cardinal Cobo emphasised that: “What rises today is not the building, but the presence of a community.” In a Church that conceives the church as a visible sign of a deeper reality, he recalled that the true sanctuary is the people of believers, “built upon living stones.”

From this perspective, the new Basilica of Mary Help of Christians becomes a symbol of communion: a place that expresses in a special way union with the Pope and with the universal Church. This bond, characteristic of basilicas, is not merely honorary, but entails a responsibility: that of being a visible sign of catholicity and a space where faith is lived with authenticity.

The Archbishop clearly defined the mission of this church: “A school of faith, a home of living liturgy, a place of constant devotion and a centre of evangelisation.” A definition that ties in with the tradition of basilicas as centres of spiritual influence, but also with the Salesian charism, characterised by closeness, education and the accompaniment of young people.

In this sense, the reference to the Gospel passage of Emmaus offered a pastoral key. As Cardinal José Cobo Cano emphasised, the Basilica is called to preserve that style of Church which listens, interprets life, celebrates and sends forth. A place where those who arrive with questions or wounds may discover that Christ walks with them, and where the community becomes a space for encounter and the rebuilding of hope.

The day, which brought together numerous faithful, Salesian religious, diocesan priests and authorities, was marked by an atmosphere of gratitude. Among those present was also the Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Francisco César García Magán, a former parishioner of this parish.

The parish priest and new Rector of the basilica, Fr Carmelo Donoso, expressed this shared sentiment in his closing remarks: gratitude for the journey undertaken and a sense of responsibility towards the future that lies ahead. He then expressed his thanks for the work carried out by so many people to reach this moment, in particular by the previous parish priest, Fr Iñaki Lete sdb. At the end, Cardinal Cobo turned to the image of Mary Help of Christians to offer a heartfelt prayer and ask for the Mother’s protection.

The Basilica of Mary Help of Christians is called to be an open, welcoming and missionary place.

A space where faith is not only celebrated, but learnt, shared and put into practice. For, as Cardinal Cobo reminded us, only when the community lives “according to the logic of the broken bread – welcoming, blessing, setting out and giving of oneself – does the stone temple become a living temple.”