With 360-degree mapping of the interior of Minneapolis’ Basilica of St. Mary, six months of preparations went into the “Luminescence” digital light show that is accompanied by choral, orchestral and narrative elements. During its November through February run, the show is expected to have been seen by more than 100,000 people. (Photo by Jenny Snarski)

Jenny Snarski
Catholic Herald Staff

More than 100,000 guests will have visited Minneapolis’ Basilica of St. Mary when the United States debut performance of “Luminescence” ends its run on Feb. 14.

No, they were not attending Mass, but many of these visitors would not have had any other reason to step into a Catholic Church.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary for America’s first basilica. After seven years of construction it was dedicated as a pro-cathedral in 1914, then raised to its status as a basilica in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. (There are other basilicas in the U.S. built earlier than Minneapolis’ such as St. Augustine in Florida and this country’s first cathedral, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Baltimore, but they were not named basilicas until 1976 and 1937, respectively.)

As another first in the U.S., the Basilica of St. Mary debuted “Luminescence,” the popular immersive light show that originated in France, the first site being the Cathédral Saint-André in Bordeaux. Artistic creator Romain Sarfati, co-founder of Lotchi, the production’s creator, sought reconnection between people and their shared history, heritage and the beauty of sacred spaces.

The church’s combination of art, innovation and community connectedness were primary reasons it was chosen as Luminiscence’s first stop stateside, according to coverage by FOX 9’s Shayne Wells in a late October interview with Sarfati. Along with its wide nave, he thought his show would pair well with the concurrent centennial celebration and renovation project. He also explained the six month creation process after making 3D scans of the Basilica’s interior and that lights and acoustics equipment were installed less than two weeks before the Oct. 31 opening. Throughout the show’s run, no liturgical schedules have been interfered with.

For Basilica rector Fr. Daniel Griffith, this was also an opportunity to highlight the church interior’s restoration project as Luminiscence donates a portion of the show’s proceeds to each site; a sign of their commitment to preserving historic landmarks.

Signage inside the Basilica shares instructional content and information about the sacred objects and vestments used for liturgical celebrations and their Jewish roots, “Sacred Art and the Word” and its place in worship. Others provide historical information and photographs of artisans and craftsmen as well as an overview of the planned restorations.

One featured artisan is Florence Neubauer who worked on stained glass windows in the Basilica. A parishioner from childhood, her story was included in the written narration for the light show.

The story—told by multiple recorded voices intersperses with classical choral and orchestral pieces accompanying the programmed light elements—was written by Kate Monaghan Connolly of New York City communications company Honor and Gold. Her firm is handling marketing for the U.S. show alongside ticket manager Fever who also manages ticket sales. Connolly collaborated closely with basilica personnel to research the Basilica’s history and its local community connections with Minneapolis.

The narrative starts quoting the basilica’s commissioner Archbishop John Ireland, “Rise then from your foundation, rise quickly towards the heavens and be to us more than a noble monument of granite and marble. Be to us a living cathedral for generations to come…”

In first person voice, the Basilica then converses with young Florence speaking of the “answered prayers” and “whispered hopes” of the Archbishop’s vision that came to fruition within her walls, “this house where earth and heaven meet.”

Florence shares a memory of the 20,000 people attending the church’s cornerstone laying but admits she is unsure what a basilica is – she just knows it makes her “feel small and full of wonder at the same time.”

The narration includes commentary from Masqueray as well as the archbishop’s vision of the house of God as a waiting room for heaven, “a place set apart where hearts and minds can be uplifted while at the same time we are reminded of our place in the universe – at once transporter to the heavens and also rooted in reality.” Stories are shared of prayers offered over decades and those who have found refuge within her walls, encounters of both joy and grief.

As a Catholic herself, Connolly saw the “opportunity to re-share a familiar story, one that happens to include Christian figures,” while respecting the creator’s intentions of a non-religious presentation, although it takes place in a religious setting. “One of the primary aims of ‘Luminescence’ as a whole is to bring people together through cultural experience celebrating the good, the true and the beautiful. This culture isn’t reserved for the few, and we have seen that the stories of each location have had a wide appeal through this lens,” she stated.

Connolly noted the historical context of cathedrals as centers of their communities, where non-liturgical events were held in addition to their primary role for worship and the sacraments. It is the producer’s hope “that their identity as beloved cultural and community settings will only be more embraced after these shows,” she said. The script was intended to both introduce the basilica’s story to new audiences, and help those already familiar with it to experience the historic landmark with renewed appreciation.

Somerset resident and director of religious education at St. Anne’s Parish Bernadette Gockowski, also an artist and illustrator, shared thoughts on “Beauty” for a November 2025 Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis video series that align with what Catholics might take away from this “non-Catholic” show.

In the video Gochowski shared that beauty calls to mind “a lot of things, but specifically in regards the church building or the church space, I think we forget the ‘wow factor’ of beauty that the Catholic Church has had …. So, when we see the brush strokes and the chisel marks … the gold leaf paintings and the beautifully made vestments, we know too that we are also called to make order and beauty and goodness in our own lives … I think it takes going into a beautiful space to really be inspired to know that you’re also called to create.”

In the multi-sensory show’s final story lines, the Basilica of St. Mary concludes, “Each of us has majesty, triumph, perseverance … for I am, at heart, a community above all else. Do not be distracted by my grandeur inside and out: The story of the Basilica of St. Mary is your story. The most beautiful creations start with something small – a dream, a smile, an idea.

“What dream will you follow? The world needs it!”

Performances run through Feb. 14. For more information and tickets, visit luminescence.com/Minneapolis.