St. Mary of the Angels - Chicago, Ill.

Destination: Modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St. Mary of the Angels is hailed as the one of the finest examples of Roman Renaissance architecture in the United States. If you’ve wanted to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, but travel costs and COVID-19 concerns continue to be obstacles, you could consider making a much shorter trip and enjoying the city’s parks, museums and more on the way.  

Mass is held at the church daily at 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the St. Josemaría Chapel. Weekend Masses are Saturdays at 8 a.m. (in the chapel) and 5 p.m. and on Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m., noon (Spanish), and 7:15 p.m. Confession is also available in English and Spanish 20 minutes before all Masses. 

One opportunity to visit and tour the church this summer is through a one-day pilgrimage to Chicago on June 17, hosted by St. Rita Parish in Rockford. More information is available in the April 22 edition of The Observer. Email marciegirolamo4@gmail.com with questions.  

Photos: Top -- St. Mary of the Angels is decorated in blue, rose and gold (Photo/ St. Mary of the Angels, by Eric Allix Rogers).
Below -- 26 roof angels, each 12 feet tall, are placed to imitate the 140 statues of the saints on the colonnade and exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome (Photo/ Eric Allix Rogers).

Why to go: St. Mary of the Angels Parish was founded in 1899 by the Congregation of the Resurrection to serve Polish immigrants fleeing political unrest. The church building was planned to be a model of Polish heritage. 

Construction began after World War I, when Chicago parishes focused on being part of one united Church, rather than “national parishes.” The church was then built to resemble St. Peter’s Basilica, the center of the Church, and was beautifully decorated in blue, rose and gold. 

When the Kennedy Expressway was built in 1960, many parishioners left, and the church was set for demolition in 1988. In 1991, priests of the Prelature of Opus Dei took responsibility for the parish and began restorations. The parish continues to grow.  

Accessibility: The entrance to the church has stairs, but a chair lift is available on the side of the entrance. The inside of the church is wheelchair-accessible. A parking lot is just south of the church on N. Hermitage Ave. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome! St. Mary of the Angels Parish describes itself as a “family of families” and is closely connected to its school and students. 

Info: Address — St. Mary of the Angels Church, 1850 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL  60622
Phone — 773-278-2644
Website — https://www.sma-church.org/

— Megan Peterson compiled this story with information from https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/st-mary-of-the-angels/. 

Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels -- Los Angeles, Calif.

Destination: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is one of the newest cathedrals in the United States, built as the new cathedral for Los Angeles after earthquakes damaged the previous St. Vibiana’s Cathedral, which had served Los Angeles since 1876. Our Lady of the Angels was dedicated in 2002 — it’s the same age as a high school senior! 

Despite its newness — or because of it — the cathedral is home to a lively and diverse community. It serves the 5 million Catholics in the Los Angeles archdiocese. 

Mass is held at the cathedral daily at 12:10 p.m. and on Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m. (English) and noon (Spanish). Confession is also available Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m.-noon. 

Photo: Above -- Visitors chat in the plaza outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (CNS photo/ Victor Aleman).
Below -- Light floods in through alabaster windows that frame the cathedral’s architectural cross (CNS photo/Greg Tarczynski).

Why to go: The cathedral is filled with things to see, both inside and outside. 

Artistic highlights include architecture designed by award-winning Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo, the largest alabaster windows in the United States (the same material that makes up the Holy Spirit window in St. Peter’s Basilica), and 10 interior chapels that provide quiet and meditative places to pray. One chapel, the Art Chapel, hosts traveling exhibits of Catholic art. 

For those more musically inclined, the cathedral also holds sacred choral concerts. 

And if you want to get outside to enjoy the warm California weather, a plaza and garden space is open for prayer, meals and gatherings. A mosaic shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe is on the north plaza wall. 

Accessibility: The cathedral is accessible to those with limited mobility. Visitors attending Sunday Mass receive free parking for three hours.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! All ages are welcome. The cathedral has plenty for young ones to explore, and eye-catching art that may inspire a drawing or two. 

Info: Address — Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012  
Phone — 213-680-5200
Website — https://olacathedral.org/

— Megan Peterson compiled this story with information provided by Catholic News Service. 

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org