JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS
1834                                     1921
ARCHBISHOP OF BALTIMORE
1877                                     1921
FAITHFUL SHEPHERD AND TEACHER
PIONEER ECUMENIST
DEFENDER OF WORKERS RIGHTS

ON TAKING POSSESION OF THIS HISTORIC BASILICA AS HIS
TITULAR CHURCH ON THE FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION MARCH
1887 CARDINAL GIBBONS PREACHED A SERMON WHICH
IN H(I)S SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND CONSTITUTIONAL
DEMOCRACY ANTICIPATED AND HELPED MAKE POSSIBLE THE
TEACHING OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL IN DIGNITATIS
HUMANAE AND GAUDIUM ET SPES