Father Baker’s legacy: A ‘City of Charity’ and century-old shrine to Our Lady of Victory

The Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna, New York, was built following the work of Venerable Nelson Baker. The 100-year-old basilica near Buffalo grew from Baker's devotion to Our Lady of Victory, which he formed during a pilgrimage to France and Italy while in seminary.

Msgr. David LiPuma, the pastor and rector of the shrine, said Baker decided to dedicate his life to the patronage of Our Lady of Victory after seeing crutches and intercessory prayers at the side altar of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. The priest, a Civil War veteran, established a City of Charity to serve vulnerable young people through organizations that still operate today.