during the attack of the taiping rebellion, the superior of the jesuit community in shanghai, fr. gu zhen sheng, promised the blessed virgin that if the diocese was spared from attack, he would build a basilica in thanksgiving for our lady’s special protection. on april 15, 1873, bishop languillat of shanghai consecrated the basilica on the hilltop. since then, our lady of sheshan has become the special protector of the diocese of shanghai. in 1874, pope pius ix granted an indulgence for all pilgrims who completed a pilgrimage to the shrine during the month of may.