Oldest Catholic Churches: San Fernando Cathedral - San Antonio, Texas

Destination: The third oldest church still in use in the U.S. is part of the Cathedral of San Fernando in San Antonio, Texas. Called “The Oldest Cathedral Sanctuary in the United States” on its parish bulletin, the church was founded in 1731. It is the oldest Catholic Church still functioning in Texas.
Masses are offered Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday in Spanish at 6, and 8 a.m. and 12 noon, in English at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; bilingual at 5 p.m.; Monday, Friday bilingual at 12:05 p.m.; Monday, Thursday bilingual at 5:30 p.m.; Saturday in Spanish at 8 a.m.
Photos: exterior (top); an old picture shows the exterior of the cathedral early in its history before the city surrounded it. 
Why to go: Fifteen families from the Canary Islands came to San Antonio after being invited by King Phillip V of Spain. They were the founding families of the San Fernando Cathedral.
It has served Catholics in the city more than 280 years. For almost 95 years in its past, it served all denominations in San Antonio because the Catholic Church was the official religion of both Spain and Mexico, which claimed the land before Texas became an independent nation.
It was intended to be the center of the city’s life, according to the cathedral website.  While it was surrounded by wide open spaces once, today San Antonio city buildings, including City Hall and the Justice Center among others, are its neighbors.

Today, more than 5,000 people attend weekend Masses at the cathedral, in addition to hundreds who come in each day to pray.
Amenities: The gift shop is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  and 2-5 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The cathedral is selling a 2020 Fiesta Medal for $10 plus shipping. Look for details under Fiesta on its website.
Accessibility: The cathedral has stairs in the front. Some areas are accesible to wheelchairs.
Parking may be challenging. Open a bulletin on the web site and look for parking information.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome. Don’t be surprised to see a school tour while you’re there.
Info: Address — San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone — 210-227-1297
Website — https://sfcathedral.org/

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story
Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower - San Antonio, Texas

(Photo courtesy Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower)

Destination: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower was the first National Shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.” Its cornerstone was laid Oct. 15, 1929, and dedicated in 1931. Showing its age, the basilica is undergoing renovations to repair some natural deterioration.
Masses are offered Sundays at  8 (English) and 10 a.m. (Spanish), noon and 2 p.m. (English), and 6 p.m. (Spanish); Monday-Friday at 12 noon and 6 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Photos: (top left) exterior of the shrine; (middle right), Tomb Chapel of St. Thérèse; (bottom left) statue of St. Thérèse outside the shrine

(Photo courtesy Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower/
Carlos Ramirez)

Why to go: When the church was first built it was the first outside of France dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The basilica began as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church, established by  Spanish Discalced Carmelite friars who came to San Antonio by way of Torreon, Mexico, in 1926.
The shrine was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
According to the basilica’s website, “the most treasured work of art at the basilica is a painting of St. Thérèse created by the saint’s own blood sister, Céline Martin (Sr. Geneviève of the Holy Face). It is located in the undercroft of the church. The Basilica is home to three first-class relics of the Little Flower. Two are contained within the tomb chapel of St. Thérèse.”

(Photo courtesy Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower/
RandyBeamer)

Hours: The basilica is open daily, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Accessibility: The website offers no information about handicapped accessibility.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
Info: Address — Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Therese Parish, 1715 N Zarzamora, San Antonio TX 78201
Phone — 210-735-9126
Website — https://littleflowerbasilica.org/


— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Spanish Missions - San Antonio, Texas

Destination: There are plenty of reasons to visit San Antonio,
Mass times vary at the missions. For details, check http://oldspanishmissions.org and click on Mass Schedule at the Missions.
The map (left) is available online at  http://oldspanishmissions.org. The missions are Mission San Jose (top) and Mission Concepcion (below).
Why to go: The history of the Catholic faith in the Americas is closely tied to the history of Spanish missions, including the five in San Antonio. In January,  the U.S. nominated the missions for World Heritage site status. Four of them are part of  the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, through a partnership with the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Alamo, called “The Shrine of Texas Liberty,” is operated separately as a state historical site. According to the National Park Service, Mission Concepcion marked the 250th anniversary of its dedication in 2005 and is the only one of the five missions that has its original roof and walls intact, so its interior frescoes retain remnants of their original colors.
Texas. Even the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has selected it for meetings. But a key reason is to see the missions there — and we don’t mean the minor league baseball team (although they might be worth a visit, too). We mean the Spanish missions of San Antonio — San Jose, Concepcion, San Juan, Espada and San Antonio de Valero, which you probably know as the Alamo.
The park service recommends setting aside two to four hours for the free guided tours, movies, and demonstrations at the missions.
Hours: The four NPS shrines  are open 9 a.m.-5 pm. daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Jan. 1.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Absolutely.
Info: Address: Old Spanish Missions, Inc., P.O. Box 7804, San Antonio, TX 78207-0804 Phone: 210/357-5601. Web: http://oldspanishmissions.org or http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Relics of the Mexican Martyrs - San Antonio, Texas

(Observer photo courtesy
Knights of Columbus)

Destination: If you happen to be in San Antonio this weekend, you’ll be able to see the relics of the Mexican Martyrs, six priests — members of the Knights of Columbus —  at San Fernando Cathedral. They were in Chicago in early May. Plans are under way to expand the tour of the relics through the United States, but the Knights of Columbus are setting up dates and locations. Check their website — www.kofc.org — for updates and more information about the relics.
Why to go: The priests were among 25 martyrs of Mexico’s anti-Catholic persecution during the 1920s and were canonized by Pope John Paul II May 21, 2000. Depicted in the mural (clockwise from top) are Sts. Miguel de la Mora de la Mora, Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Mateo Correa Magallanes, Luis Batiz Sainz, Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán and Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero. The painting is part of the permanent collection at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, Conn.
The priests are among those whose stories are being told in the new movie, “For Greater Glory,” in theaters now.
The illustration is a painting by Mexican artist Martha Orozco that features six priests who were canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000.
Access: Be prepared for the stairs.
(Grand) Kid friendly: The cathedral, which was founded in 1731, is used to visitors, including kids.
Info: Address: San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. Phone: 210/227-1297. Web: www.sfcathedral.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org