Virtual Visits Catholic Holy Sites Online

(CNS photo/Debbie Hill) 

 Destination:  There are several places important to Catholics that are offering some kind of virtual visit or live streaming service. Many of these online sites are also appealing for donations since lockdowns and restrictions have seriously reduced a major source of income from pilgrimages and tourism.

Online Masses may be available at some of these places. Check the individiual websites.

Photo: A worshipper wearing a protective mask lights a candle as she visits the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City May 26, 2020, the day it reopened after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Where to go: 

• The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land oversees 55 sanctuaries in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan. Visitors at www.custodia.org/en/sanctuaries can get a more in-depth look at these sacred places, especially the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus’s tomb, in Jerusalem.

• The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal offers a livestream of the chapel and live daily broadcasts of praying the rosary and Mass at www.fatima.pt/en/pages/online-transmissions. The same link also provides a gallery of pictures, videos and “sounds,” including an audio library of Marian hymns.

• The website of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi offers a huge list of online opportunities, all in Italian, but still visually enriching, like a livestream of the tomb of St. Francis with an option of sending a prayer petition at www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/web-cam-cripta-di-san-francesco-assisi and a livestream of daily Mass in the basilica at www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/messa-diretta-streaming-oggi.

There is a 360-degree virtual tour of the basilica at www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/basilica/ and of the tomb at www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/visita-virtuale-tomba-san-francesco/. The 13th-century basilica had to be painstakingly restored, including its frescoes by Giotto, after a devastating earthquake in 1997.

• While a special online exposition of the Shroud of 

Turin was held April 11 for prayer and contemplation during the coronavirus epidemic, the recorded event, with commentary in English, can still be found online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7BmsSE_4Wk.

Accessibility: Everything is accessible online.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Watch along with them.

Info: See websites with locations in descriptions.

— Carol Glatz, CNS; Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Knights of Columbus Museum -- New Haven, Conn.

(Courtesy photo)

Destination: Currently closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Knights of Columbus Museum in Connecticut is worth working into your future travel plans.

Masses are not offered at the museum. 

Why to go: The Knights of  Columbus are a uniquely American order founded by Father Michael J. McGiveny in 1882. Its stated purpose is “to provide members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities’ familes and young people,” according to its website.

The museum, founded in honor of the centennial of the Knights of Columbus, has several permanent displays along with a variety of temporary ones. Among its permanent exhibits is one devoted to the charter chapter, San Salvador Council 1, founded by Father McGiveny in 1882 at St. Mary Parish in New Haven, Conn.

A memorial to Knights of Columbus members who died as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks includes two pieces of steel from the World Trade Center.

A cross that is more than 400 years old and sat atop St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome hangs on a museum stairway wall. In 1985, Pope St. John Paul II gave it to the Knights of Columbus to thank them for funding to restore the basilica’s façade.

Hours: Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch the website for reopening details. In the meantime, the museum is offering online programs through the website.

Accessibility: The museum is likely to be handicapped accessible, but it’s hard to check for sure. The website was only partially functional when we visited. You’ll be able to learn much, but in this case, a phone call may prove useful.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.

Info: Address — Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St., New Haven,CT 0651 

Phone — 203-865-0400 

Website — https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/articles/knights-of-columbus-museum.html

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Oldest Catholic Churches - San Miguel Chapel -- Santa Fe, N.M.

(Photos/San Miguel Chapel)

Destination: We’re finishing off our series on the oldest Catholic churches in the U.S. with San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe, N.M., founded sometime in the 17th century. It is yet another indication of the Spanish introduction of Catholicism to the new world.

Masses offered at the chapel are a Latin Mass at 3 p.m. and an ordinary form English Mass at 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Photos: Exterior (top) and interior (below) of San Miguel Chapel.

Why to go: The earliest record of the existence of San Miguel Chapel is from 1628, and it was built sometime before that year. The parish website says oral history says it was built around 1610. A fire in 1680 destroyed the first building, and it has been rebuilt and restored several times over the past 400 years. 

The parish was established as the “Hermita de San Miguel,” and was built on the site of an ancient kiva — a gathering place — of the Analco Indians. Tlaxcalan (Tas-cal’-en) Indians, who  are believed to have built the church, came to New Mexico from old Mexico in 1598 with the Spanish. At that time, the parish served a small group of Tlaxcalan Indians, laborers, and Spanish soldiers who lived in the area on the south side of the Santa Fe River.

The wooden altar screen, or reredos, at the front of  the chapel is one of the oldest in New Mexico. An inscription dates the screen to 1798. Credit for the work is given to “Laguna Santero,” an anonymous artist who was active and influential in New Mexico between 1796 and 1808. 

Hours: The chapel is open before and between Sunday Masses and  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Accessibility: The chapel is at ground-level, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone to enter.

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.

Info: Address — San Miguel Chapel of Santa Fe, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone — 505-983-3974

Website — http://sanmiguelchapel.org/

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story

Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Oldest Catholic Churches: St. Francis Xavier Church -- Leonardtown, Md.

(Observer screengrab/parish website)

Destination: This Maryland parish, which celebrated its 350th anniversary a few years ago, represents the arrival of the first English-speaking Catholics in the original colonies and the second oldest continuous parish in the U.S. 
Masses are offered Saturday at 4 p.m.; Sunday at 8 and 11 a.m.; Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m.
Photos: A photo of the parish in winter in 1962 (top) is credited to a priest on the parish website. An archaeological dig of the parish grounds (below)  took place in 2011.
Why to go: Catholicism in English-speaking America began in Maryland and most of the events of the intervening centuries have been witnessed by Newtowne, Md.  The St. Francis Xavier website explains Newtowne was the first settlement in the Maryland province after the original at St. Mary’s City. The church is within view of St. Clement’s Island where English colonists first landed in 1634. The Piscataway Indians and their forebearers occupied the site for many centuries before Europeans arrived.
The landowner, William Bretton, invited Jesuit priests to begin missionary activity in the area in 1640, but chapels and churches were not built so Catholics wouldn’t offend the English authorities.
Twice in the early years — in 1645 and 1655 — the Jesuit missionaries fled to avoid anti-Catholic activites, but returned each time.

(Observer screengrab/parish website)

When Charles II became king of England in 1660, the religious tolerance that had been the hallmark of the colony was re-established in Maryland.  In 1661 Bretton and his wife, Temperance, donated 1.5 acres of land so the Newtowne congregation could build a chapel and establish a cemetery. The chapel was built in 1662 and the cemetery is still in use.
In 2011, shortly before the parish celebrated its 350th anniversary, an archaeological dig of the grounds uncovered artifacts of both native American and English colonial settlement.
Accessibility: The website offers no information about accessiblity, but look for a virtual tour on the website to plan your trip.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
Info: Address — St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD  20650
Phone — 301-475-9885
Website — https://stfrancisxavierchurch.org/

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

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

Oldest Catholic Churches: Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá - San Diego, Calif.

(Observer photos/parish website)

Destination: The fourth oldest church still in use in the U.S. is part of the San Diego de Alcalá Mission in San Diego, Calif. Last year marked its 250th anniversary. 
Masses are offered in the mission church at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7, 8, 10 and 11 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is also an 11 a.m. Spanish Mass at the St. Francis Chapel on Sunday.
Photos: Mission exterior (top); nterior of San Diego de Alacalá Church retains its Spanish architectural roots after a 1931 rebuilding project.
Why to go: San Diego de Alcalá was the first of the 21 California Missions, and was California’s first Mission Church founded in 1769. Today it remains an active parish. 
St. Junipero Serra was among the Franciscan Friars already in Baja (Lower) California who were assigned to develop the Alta (Upper) California missions. Spanish military men went with the friars to protect and support them. Father Serra, a native of Majorca, was the superior of the Franciscan missionaries.
The mission had struggled in its early years, both in trying to raise crops and in converting the native Americans in the area while Spanish authorities tried to impose stict rules on them. On Nov. 4, 1775, the hundres of native people attacked the mission, burned it to the ground and killed a blacksmith, a carpenter, and Father Luis Jayme, who became California’s first Catholic martyr. He is buried next to the altar in the present church.

The mission has been rebuilt five times and in 1931 the reconstruction used architectural plans designed to look like the 1813 church. One of the large bells is original and is dated 1802. The other large bell is made of remnants of the original bells.
Amenities: The mission gift shop is open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily. The mission offers self-guided tours for families, though it offers group docent tours with reservations in advance. Check the website for details.
Accessibility: Most of the mission appears to be accessible, but expect variations throughout the grounds.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome. Don’t be surprised to see a school tour while you’re there.
Info: Address — Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA 92108 
Phone (Visitor Center) — (619) 281-8449 
Website — https://www.missionsandiego.org

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

Oldest Catholic Churches: St. Gabriel Church - St. Gabriel, La.

(Observer photo/https://commons.wikimedia.org)

This is the first in a five-part series on the oldest Catholic Chuches in the U.S. still in use. 
Destination: With this issue, we begin a short series on the oldest Catholic churches still in use in the U.S. The fifth oldest church, St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Louisiana is readying for its 250th anniversary and “grand celebration”  on Feb. 2
Masses are offered Sunday at 7 and 10:15 a.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday at 8 a.m. There is no Mass on Monday.
Why to go: St. Gabriel Church was believed to have been built in 1771. Parish website says its first location was probably near Fort Manchac. Mississippi River flooding forced several moves of the building. The church was moved to its present site in December 1887.
The 250th anniversary of the Catholic faith on the banks of the Mississippi is “a wonderful milestone and testimony of our French Acadian Christian Catholic Faith,” the website states. “We Cajuns are known for our strong Christian Catholic way of life through our love of God and our love for one another. We are also known for ‘passing a good time.’ Through the (anniversary) year we will be coming together to pass a good time and to share precious memories and stories that make us the unique Christian Catholic Community of St. Gabriel.”
If you plan to be in the area Feb. 2, the anniversary Mass will be at 10:15 a.m. with Bishop Michael Duca and Bishop Robert Muench. A luncheon will follow the Mass and the old church will be open for viewing. RSVP by Jan. 22 at http://www.stgabrielcatholicchurch.com/anniversary/rsvp/. (There is no charge listed, but we suspect generous donations from guests who are from outside of the parish would be appreciated.)
Accessibility: There are a few steps at the front door to this small-town parish.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
Info: Address — St. Gabriel Church, 3625 Highway 75, St. Gabriel, Louisiana 70776
Phone — 225-642-8441
Website — http://www.stgabrielcatholicchurch.com/

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

Catholic Boston - Boston, Mass.

(Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld)

 Destination: Boston, Mass., has a rich Catholic history that has recently been overshadowed by negative news. But it still is a worthwhile place to visit to see ways the Church and its faithful have left a mark on and helped preserve U.S. history.
Masses are offered at various places in the city, including in the North End parishes we’ve listed. Visit Masstimes.org and search for Boston, MA.
Photos: (top left) St. Stephen's Church interior; St. Stephen's Church sign (below right); Sacred Heart Church exterior (below left); Pieta replica presented to President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy by Pope Paul VI.
 Why to go: One of the oldest church buildings in Boston is St. Stephen’s in the North End. On the historic Freedom Trail through old Boston, the church building was designed by Charles Bulfinch, one of the first Americans to work as an architect.
Across the street from Paul Revere’s house, is Sacred Heart, an Italian parish. It was closed as of late October for repairs, and Mass-goers were directed to St. Leonard, a short walk away, for 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. The three churches, all in the North End, share a website with more information about Mass times and parish activities.
One more stop, though a little distant from these three parishes, is the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Among its collection is a replica of the Pieta, presented to President and Mrs. Kennedy by Pope Paul VI when they met him in Rome. A photo of the three together is to the left of the see-through case that houses the statue.
Accessibility: Handicapped accessibility varies widely in each of these places.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
 Info: — St. Stephen, 401 Hanover St/ Boston, MA 02113
617-523-1230
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Stephens-Church-Boston-Massachusetts/198298816870815
— St. Leonard of Port Maurice, 320 Hanover St. Boston, MA 02113
617-523-2110
https://saintleonardchurchboston.org/ 
— Sacred Heart Italian Church, 12 North Sq., Boston, MA 02113
617-523-5638
— John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston MA 02125
(617) 514-1600 
https://www.jfklibrary.org

— Sharon Boehlefeld 
Send 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

Museum of Family Prayer -- North Easton, Mass.

(Observer photos/courtesy The Museum of Family Prayer)

Destination: The Museum of Family Prayer will hold its grand opening ceremonies Sept. 15, so it’s not too soon to plan a visit.
Masses are offered at noon Wednesdays through Fridays at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel, preceded by a rosary at 11:30 a.m.
Why to go: “This first-of-its-kind museum welcomes you and your family to a unique, interactive, digital experience of prayer that your entire family can experience together,” says the museum’s website. It continues:
“The museum provides:
“Inspiration: A spiritual experience of prayer – touch, listen and watch, reflect and pray.
“Exploration: Learn more about the history and power of prayer.
“Connection: Time to reconnect with your family and your faith.

(CNS photo)

(Observer photos/courtesy
The Museum of Family Prayer)

“You’ll also learn about the remarkable story of sainthood candidate, Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, who inspired the world with his timeless message, ‘The family that prays together stays together.’ See artifacts from his life, ministry and priesthood.”
The Venerable Father Peyton (right) is buried near the museum at the Cemetery of the Congregation of Holy Cross Religious.His headstone is usually draped with rosaries, no doubt in recognition of him as founder of the Family Rosary Crusade of the late 1940s and 1950s. The website says the origin of leaving rosaries on the headstone is lost, but people who take a rosary are encouraged to leave one in its place.
In addition to the museum, there is also a rosary path on the grounds.
Accessibility: The website says the museum is accessible to all. And parking, like admission, is free.
Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
Info: Address — 518 Washington St., North Easton, MA 02356
Phone — 800-299-7729
Website — www.museumoffamilyprayer.org

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

The Basilica of St. Mary - Minneapolis, Minn.

(Courtesy The Basilica of Saint Mary archives) 

Destination: The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis has the distinction of being one of the oldest basilicas in the U.S. It and Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna, N.Y., were both declared minor basilicas in 1926 by Pope Pius XI.
Masses are offered weekdays at 7 a.m. and noon on the basilica’s ground level, St. Joseph’s Chapel; Saturdays at 5 p.m.; Sundays at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Photos -- (Left) Exterior of the Basilica of St. Mary; (Below left) Interior of basilica.
Why to go: The building was designed by the French architect Emmanuel Masqueray in the beaux-arts style.The exterior was completed between 1907 and 1915, and the interior begun in 1922. It was not quite finished when it was declared a basilica on Feb. 1, 1926.
Marble statues of the Apostles around the sanctuary were carved in Italy and are half-size replicas of the ones in St. John Lateran Cathedral of Rome.
In the 1950s, the basilica added a Wicks organ and installed eight double bronze doors cast by the Flour City Ornamental Iron Company of Minneapolis. The doors have symbols of the Apostles and Evangelists, and the coats-of-arms of the archbishops and popes who were key to the basilica’s development.

(Courtesy The Basilica of Saint Mary archives)

In 1975, the basilica was named to the National Register of Historic Places. On its website, the basilica lists three reasons it was nominated for this honor:
“Firstly, it exemplifies great design in architecture and engineering. ...
“Secondly, the Basilica is a testimonial to the religious movements and their roles in the development of Minnesota’s heritage.
“And, thirdly, the building was the first such church to be proclaimed a basilica in the United States.”
Later restorations involved areas of the basilica, the copper dome and roof.
Accessibility: The website says the basilica has access for all. For details, check the website’s Visit Us page.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As long as the kids know their church manners, they will be fine.
Info: Address — 1600 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone — 612-333-1381
Website — www.mary.org

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

St. Mary Basilica - Natchez, Miss.

(Observer photos/St. Mary Basilica archives)

Destination: Considered a masterpiece of architecture among Catholic churches in the south, St. Mary Basilica dates to before the Civil War and is an active parish that welcomes visitors.
Masses are offered Sunday at 10 a.m. (with nursery); Saturday at 4 p.m. CST, 5 p.m. DST; Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.
Photos: The interior and exterior of the basilica
Why to go: According to its website, “The construction of this place of worship was begun in 1842 as a cathedral in the newly established Diocese of Natchez, and St. Mary retained this status until 1977.
“Because the church is historically significant, in 1998 Rome granted St. Mary in Natchez, Miss., the elevated status of minor basilica, an honor it now shares with 70 of the 250 dioceses in the U.S. There are two kinds of basilicas. The world’s four major basilicas — or papal basilicas — are in Rome, and minor basilicas — some in Rome and others elsewhere throughout the world — are given special ecclesiastical privileges by the Holy Father.
“The portrait of the Christ on the Cross and his Sorrowful Mother (above) hangs above the main altar. The original fresco was executed by New Orleans artist A. Biorci in 1888 as an adaptation of Guido Reni’s classical painting. In 1931, the deteriorating fresco was replaced by the present painting on canvas. A later restoration of this portrait painted out the minor figures in the original to emphasize the church’s patron, Our Lady of Sorrows.
“St. Mary’s congregation takes pride not only in the Gothic Revival style of the Basilica but also its prayerful setting in the midst of colored carvings, painted ceiling, and ribbed vaulting. Natchez is the birthplace of Mississippi. It is a tourist destination because of its historic antebellum homes, and St. Mary Basilica — also antebellum — is the city’s central landmark.”
(Grand) Kid friendly: As long as the kids know their church manners, they will be fine.
Info: Address — St. Mary Basilica, 107 S. Union St., Natchez, MS 39120 
Phone — 601-445-5616
Website — www.stmarybasilica.org

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

Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart -- Newark, N.J.

(CNS photo)

Destination: In addition to being the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Newark (N.J.), the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is also an active parish and the site of the first beatification to take place on U.S. soil.
Masses are offered weekdays in English at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (except in July and August) and in Spanish Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. (except in July and August); Saturdays at 9 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sundays at 10 a.m. in Spanish and noon in English (with choir).
Photos: Top -- Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart (photo by Bob Roller)
Below -- Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (photo courtesy of Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth)

Why to go: Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich (left), a Sister of Charity who died at age 26 in 1927, was the first American to be beatified in the United States. Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes, was the main celebrant at a Mass Oct. 4, 2014, at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark.

(CNS photo)

Sister Miriam Teresa is significant to the diocese because a youngster with advancing bilateral macular degeneration was living in the archdiocese when, in 1964, his sight was restored on a walk home from school. He had just been given a relic and prayer card for Sister Miriam Teresa.
His mother’s letters to the Sisters of Charity explaining what happened remained unnoticed until 1998, so the process of authenticating the miracle did not begin until 2000.
But the cathedral itself is worth a visit. Newark’s first bishop, the Most Rev. James Roosevelt Bayley, proposed it in 1859, although groundbreaking didn’t take place until January 1898. For various reasons, construction was stopped, designs changed and the cathedral wasn’t dedicated until  Oct. 19, 1954, although it had been in use since 1928.
The Gothic-style cathedral features, according to its website, “a towering Botticino marble canopy, or baldachino, ... topped by the figure of Jesus under the title of the Sacred Heart,” a number of chapels dedicated to saints, rose windows and bronze doors made in Rome. 
Accessibility: There is a ramped entrance to the cathedral on Ridge Street and an elevator to restrooms.
Amenities: There is a gift shop inside the cathedral.
(Grand) Kid friendly: As long as the kids know their church manners, they will be fine.
Info: Address — Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St., Newark, NJ 0710   n   Phone — 973-484-4600   n   Website — www.cathedralbasilica.org/

— CNS, Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to the story
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Museum of the Bible -- Washington, D.C.

(CNS photo)

Destination: Ken McKenzie, Museum of the Bible president and CEO, told Catholic News Service that an upcoming exhibit focusing on science and faith would bolster conversation on the answers to questions on two oft-ignored aspects of science, specifically “what ... science mean(s) for the existence and activity of God” and what science means for the “sacredness of humanity.”
Masses are not offered at the museum, but visit https://masstimes.org/ to find Masses in the area.
Photos: (Top left) Brian Hyland, associate curator from Oklahoma City, interprets a sarcophagus replica of Jonah inside the “Vatican Museums and Vatican Library” exhibit at the Museum of the Bible in 2017.
(Bottom left) A bound book is seen inside the “History of the Bible” exhibit at the Museum of the Bible in 2017.
Why to go: From the 17th-century ban by the Vatican of Copernicus’ mathematical calculation that the sun was at the center of the solar system to modern-day arguments about evolution’s compatibility with a belief in God, science and faith have regularly butted heads in the public square.
Seeking to illuminate these debates for the public is the Museum of the Bible in Washington, which announced April 1 that it would be using sizable grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the Templeton Religion Trust toward fostering a “greater understanding of the shared curiosity about our world that stimulates both scientific inquiry and biblical interpretation.”

(CNS photo)

The exhibits will be divided among six sections, each of which will be devoted to pressing existential questions about the beginning of the universe, what keeps it running, how humans and animals differ, what humans “are made of” and if humanity is alone in the universe.
Accessibility: The museum has stairless entries and wheelchairs — first come, first served — for its patrons. Check the website for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Families are welcome to the museum. Cost: (online/at the door) $19.99/$24.99 adults;  $19.99/$19.99 seniors citizens, military, first responders and students; $9.99/$14.99 children 7-17; free child 6 and younger.
Info: Address — Museum of the Bible, 400 Fourth St. SW, Washington, DC 20024
Phone — 866.430.6682  
Website — https://www.museumofthebible.org/

— CNS, Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to the story
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal -- Montreal, Quebec, Canada

(CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Destination:  “The oratory is one of Quebec’s best-kept secrets,” said Guy Cormier, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, who is leading a fundraising campaign for an upcoming renovation at the church. At just over 100 years old, it is one of the newest major churches in Canada.
Masses are offered in English in the crypt church Monday-Saturday at 12:15  p.m., Tuesday and Thursday at 7: 30 p.m. (19:30), and Sunday at 11:15 a.m.; Sunday Masses in the basilica are in French at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Spanish Mass is offered on Sunday in the Crypt Church at  3 p.m. (15:00) following adoration and the rosary at 2 p.m. (14:00).
Why to go: From the small Chapel of Origin to the great Basilica, the beauty and diversity in the architectural heritage of Saint Joseph’s Oratory make it worth a visit before — and probably during — the upcoming renovation.
The changes are intended to “modernize many of its infrastructures” and, in 2022, after extensive work, “give a new experience” to the 2 million visitors who visit the oratory each year, Cormier said.
St. Joseph Oratory, managed by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, was founded in 1904 by St. Andre Bessette, known as Brother Andre. The oratory is located on Montreal’s famed Mount Royal.
Among its musical treasures is its organ, built by German organ maker Rudolf von Beckerath (1907-1976), and ranked among the top 10 in the world. Some of its 5,811 pipes are as long as 32 feet. Built in 1958 and 1959 in Germany, it took seven months to install it in Montreal. On Nov. 13, 1960, the organ was blessed and played for its first recital by a famous French organist, André Marchal.
Accessibility: Elevators, reserved parking and accessible areas throughout the oratory make it accessible to people with limited mobility.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Usual church behavior is expected.
Info: Address — Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, 3800 Queen Mary Road, Montreal (Quebec) Canada, H3V 1H6
 Phone — 1-877-672-8647
Website — https://www.saint-joseph.org/en/

— CNS, Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to the story
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - St. Louis, Mo.

(Observer screen grab)

Destination: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is in the heart of the city, blocks from the famous arch. It’s well worth a stop no matter why you travel to St. Louis, Mo.
Masses are offered Monday-Friday, 7 and 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m., 5 p.m. (vigil); Sunday: 8 and 10 a.m., 12 noon and 5 p.m. There are other prayer services offered, too. Check the website.

Photos: (Top) A portion of the home page at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis website shows the exterior of the Missouri church. (Below) (CNS photo/Crosiers)
A mosaic of a scene from the Pentecost was completed in 1988 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Mosaic work began in the 1920s and was stopped during the Depression and wars.

Why to go: While not brand new by any means, this is the newer church dedicated to St. Louis in the city. Then-Archbishop John J. Glennon broke ground for the cathedral in May 1907 and the cornerstone was laid on Oct. 18,1908. The first Mass was offered exactly six years later on Oct. 18, 1914. Archbishop Glennon consecrated the cathedral on June 29, 1926, the centennial of the creation of the St. Louis Diocese.
On April 4, 1997, Pope John Paul II designated the Cathedral of St. Louis a basilica, a place of worship of special distinction. He visited the basilica 20 years ago, on Jan. 26, 1999. During his visit, he blessed the door in the rear of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis after it was sealed. It would be reopened on Christmas Day 1999 to begin the celebration of the second millennium.
The extensive artwork in the basilica is one reason to visit. A mosaic project begun in the 1920s and finished in 1988  adorns walls and ceilings in the basilica. Cardinal Glennon is featured in an ordination mosaic in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

(CNS photo/Crosiers)

Before you go, be sure to check the website for one of many concerts scheduled at the basilica throughout the year.
Amenities: A gift shop is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily except New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Accessibility: Most of the basilica, including the gift shop, is wheel-chair accessible but the mosaic museum in the lower floor is not. A ramped, electronically-assisted entrance is on the west side of the basilica.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Usual church behavior is expected.
Info: Address — Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone — 314/373-8200
Website — http://cathedralstl.org/

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

Shrine of the Holy Face - Manoppello, Italy

(CNS photos/Paul Haring)

Destination:  At the Shrine of the Holy Face in Manoppello, Italy, about 117 miles east of Rome, visitors see a transparent cloth encased between two glass panes within an ornate silver frame above the sanctuary’s altar.
Devotees of the Manoppello veil claim that it is “Veronica’s Veil” and that it was secretly moved to the little hilltop town in Abruzzo on orders from Pope Clement VII to protect it following the Sack of Rome in 1527.
Masses are offered at the shrine, but we found no regular times on the website.
Photos: The Shrine of the Holy Face (left) is in Manoppello, Italy. The Holy Face of Manoppello (below right) is on display at the shrine.
Why to go: Although the traditional Stations of the Cross include “Veronica wipes the face of Jesus,” none of the Gospels recount a woman wiping Jesus’ face as He carries His cross to Calvary.
A pious legend says Veronica later went to Rome to leave the relic with St. Clement, one of the early popes.
The Capuchin friars at Manoppello have been the custodians of a veil since 1630.
For centuries, few people outside the small town knew of the cloth and its image of Jesus. But a Capuchin priest, Father Domenico di Cese, made it his life’s work to spread devotion to the Holy Face of Manoppello.

When he first saw the veil as a young priest in the 1930s, the face looked like the same unidentified man who had rescued him from the rubble of a church after a major earthquake in 1915 when he was a child. Father di Cese died in 1978.
But in 1999 the veil caught the world’s attention when Jesuit Father Heinrich Pfeiffer, an art historian at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, announced at a press conference that the cloth was the true “veil of Veronica.” He said  after conducting research, he discovered that the image on the veil could be perfectly superimposed on the face of the Shroud of Turin, the relic many believe is Jesus’ burial shroud.
The Vatican does not formally recognize the authenticity of relics like the Veil of Manoppello or the Shroud of Turin. However, since Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to visit the shrine in 2006 and venerate the image, visits to the shrine have increased. But Benedict made no pronouncement about the image.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — Rector of the Shrine of the Holy Face, Via Cappuccini, 26, 65024 Manoppello (PE) Italy
Phone — 085859118 or 0854979194
Website — www.voltosanto.net (click on the British flag for English)

— Junno Arocho Esteves, CNS; Sharon Boehlefeld contributed to the story
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Monastery of the Holy Spirit - Conyers, Ga.

(Observer photo/www.trappist.net)

Destination: If you head to the southeast, plan a stop at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Ga. Trappist monks from Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky set out in 1944 to find a place for a new abbey.
Masses in the Abbey Church (above) are Sunday, 7:30 a.m., community Mass; Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. with Lauds (Morning Prayer).
Why to go: A visit to the monastery can provide a glimpse into the lives of the monks. You can see the Abbey Church that took the founding monks 15 years to build. You can also learn about the many occupations of the monks who live there, including their bakery and stained glass studio. You can follow the Prayer Walk to learn about Cistercian saints and feed the ducks at the Monastery Lakes.
Trappist monks are members of the Cistercian order, which began as part of a general 11th century movement toward reform, characterized by the desire to detach from worldly entanglements to free the soul for the life of contemplation. They follow the Benedictine Order.

Photos: Left, exterior of the chapel; right, a sample of stained glass from the monastery

(Observer photo/www.trappist.net)

Amenities: If you come with a group of at least 12 (and provide four days notice), you can get a box lunch while you’re visiting. Parking and admission are free, but donations are accepted. A monastery shop sells a variety of gifts, including some foods made at the monastery.
Hours: The Monastery Visitor Center is open Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The monastery is open daily except on New Year’s, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the day after Christmas. The Center closes at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30094
Phone — 770/483-8705
Website — https://www.trappist.net/

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

Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine -- San Juan, Texas

(Observer screen grab)

Destination: If southwest Texas or northeast Mexico is on your itinerary this winter, consider planning a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine. They are more than ready for visitors.
Masses on Saturday are 6:30 a.m. in Spanish, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. bilingual, 5:30 p.m. in English; Sunday 7 a.m., 1 and 7 p.m. in Spanish, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. bilingual, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in English; weekdays 6:30 and 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m. bilingual. The basilica even schedules regular Masses with mariachi music on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sundays at 9 and 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
Photo: A replica of the Jalisco statue of Our Lady of Los Lagos sits in a niche behind the altar in the Texas basilica.
Why to go: The veneration of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos is spreading in the Rockford Diocese thanks to the growing numbers of Catholics with roots in Mexico. The original statue from Mexico drew hundreds at four parishes in the Fox Valley in late September and early October. But this Texas basilica is among the first to be dedicated in her honor on what is now U.S. soil.
The miracle of the statue is the reason for its importance. According to the shrine website, it took place in 1623 at San Juan de Los Lagos in Jalisco, Mexico. A daughter of a traveling acrobat fell during practice and was killed. A native woman who was caretaker at the church urged the parents to place the image of the Virgin Mary over their daughter’s body and pray for Mary’s intercession. They did so and the child came back to life.
In 1949, the pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan received permission from the bishop to promote the veneration. He commissioned a copy of the original statue (top of column) from a Guadalajaran artist. While its first two homes were destroyed, it now sits in a niche above the altar in the shrine, which was dedicated in 1980.
Amenities: Pilgrim services include a hotel, cafeteria and retreat center. Check the website for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle  National Shrine, 400 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd., San Juan, Texas 78589
Phone — 956/787-0033
Website — http://www.olsjbasilica.org//
— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story.
Send Destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Our Lady of the Lake - Branson, Mo.

(Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld)

Destination: If you have never been to Branson, Mo., or simply have never been to Our Lady of the Lake Parish for Mass, it’s well worth adding to your trip itinerary.
Masses  are Saturdays at 5 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish; Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.; Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.; First Fridays at 10 a.m. and First Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Why to go: The parish website explains: “We are about 5 percent Catholic across southern Missouri, with 550 active families, and routinely welcome 2,500 to 3,000 ‘Parishioners-For-A-Day’ to the Lord’s eucharistic table each weekend. Our ‘Parishioners-For-A-Day” join us at daily Mass and eucharistic adoration in our Blessed Mother Teresa Chapel.”
Photos - Above: The exterior of the church from the overflow parking lot across the street.
Left: The interior of the church showing the altar along the right wall.
Right: The tabernacle is next to a small area for quiet prayer.
In a community dedicated to tourism and entertainment, it will be no surpise that the music at this parish is a bit better than average for the size of the parish.
A parish of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Our Lady of the Lake has grown from holding “sporadic summer time Masses for visiting fishermen and campers, to a bustling family of Catholic Christians who welcome several thousand visitors every weekend,” according to the diocesan website.
The Catholic faith, it continues, was planted in Taney County, Mo., in 1915. The parish was dedicated in 1936 by Msgr. James J. McCaffrey. Its first home was a stone structure vacated by Farmers Bank. But the burgeoning tourist base of the local economy led to a need for a much larger church. A new church was dedicated in 1971 by Bishop William Baum. Still, as tourism continued to grow, the building grew too small.
In 1993, Msgr. Philip A. Bucher envisioned a church that would serve the parish’s unique needs for many years to come.
Today, that chuch welcomes 150,000 “part-time parishioners” to its three weekend Masses over the course of the year.
Events: As an active parish, expect the usual kinds of events during your visit. Check the bulletin at the parish website for details.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course.
Info: Address — Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 203 Vaughn Dr., Branson, MO 65616-2542
Phone — 417/334-2928
Website — http://www.ladyofthelakeparish.org/

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