March, 2015 Very Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, VF, Pastor of St. Mary of the Angels, sends request to Most. Rev. Richard J. Malone to begin the application process. He lists 22 reasons he believes the church is worthy of this designation. This request is granted by the bishop.
May, 2015 Fr. Dobson acquires through the Bishop the Vatican’s Application from the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) which the Pope entrusts to review such applications. The Application's 119 questions are translated from Latin into English by Rev. David Flood, OFM at St. Bonaventure University. The work to answer the questions begins.
May 2015-May 2016 - Rev. Dobson places Jennifer Kane, a parishioner with B.A in Journalism and M.A. in English (St. Bonaventure University alumna) to lead the research and write the application which becomes a detailed report concerning the origin, history, and the religious activity of the church (its worship life and its pastoral associations and charitable works) along with photos illustrating the exterior/interior architecture of the church with emphasis on its art and furnishings for liturgy and worship. A thorough examination of the history and origins of St. Mary of the Angels from 1852 to present day is necessary to accurately answer many of the 119 questions. Extensive professional photography which she coordinated among five photographers is necessary to supply the photographic evidence requested by the CDWDS in Rome. Parish staff and parish archivists assisted in compiling the information.
May, 2016 the Application is finished and printed in the form of a 100-page hardbound book and presented to Bishop Malone.
June, 2016 After review and modifications to the Application, Bishop Malone sends it to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops seeking its nihil obstat or favorable judgment which must accompany the Application.
August, 2016 Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, grants its nihil obstat representing the USCCB and sends the Application to the CDWDS in Rome on August 5 via the Papal Nuncio.
August, 2016 the USCCB letter dated August 1, 2016 along with the completed Application is received by the CDWDS in Rome.
February 14, 2017 The CDWDS approves the Application and grants the title— Minor Basilica—acting on behalf of Pope Francis under its Prefect, Robert Cardinal Sarah, who signed the decree.
March 3, 2017 The CDWDS sends to the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, its letter and official Decree confirming that the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels in Olean has been granted the title, Minor Basilica. This decree is signed by Cardinal Sarah and dated 14 February 2017, the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
March 6, 2017 Bishop Malone receives the Decree and letter of affirmation from the Papal Nuncio.
March 17, 2017, Feast of St. Patrick, Bishop Malone announces the Decree at a media conference at Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica at 9:30am. Fr. Greg, who attended the OLV announcement, announces to the St Mary’s congregation on the same day at the 12:15 Mass.