St. John Cantius Parish - Chicago

(Observer photo/Johnny Boehlefeld)

Destination: For a trip into the history of the Church, especially if you’re interested in the Polish Church that gave us Pope St. John Paul II, go no further than St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. Whether you’re heading in for a ballgame or the theater on a Sunday, it would be worth going in early enough for Mass at the parish.
Masses are offered on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. — Latin Low Mass), 9 a.m. — English, 11a.m. — Latin; and 12:30 p.m. — Latin High Mass); Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. — English, 8 a.m. — Latin Low Mass; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. — Latin; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. — Latin Low Mass; 5 p.m. — English.
Why to go: St. John Cantius (also known as St. John Kenty), born in Poland, was a special favorite of Pope St. John Paul II. St. John is a patron saint of teachers, students, priests and pilgrims.
The Chicago parish in his name was founded in 1892 and construction began in 1893. At its largest in 1918, it had about 23,000 parishioners and 2,500 children enrolled in the school. But the parish was buffeted by road construction in the city, and later by the Great Depression. but faithful Catholics continued to attend Mass there and support the parish.
In addition to the Latin Masses, the Church’s musical traditions remain alive at St. John Cantius, which has seven parish choirs that take part in Masses and prayers throughout the day.
Visitors may join the members of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius in singing the Divine Office. (See website for times.)
(Grand) Kid friendly: As with any church, children are welcome.With some advance study (check http://www.sanctamissa.org/), a visit to St. John Cantius is a chance for kids to learn how Mass was offered “in the day.”
Info: Address — St. John Cantius Parish, 825 N. Carpenter St.. Chicago, Illinois 60642-5499
Phone — 312/243-7373
Website — http://www.cantius.org/go
— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
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