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

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - New Orleans, Louisiana

(Observer photo by Amanda Hudson)

Destination: Formally known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis King of France, this New Orleans, La., church is the oldest, continuously-operating cathedral in the United States. It has been a parish since 1720.
Masses are 7:30  a.m. Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Why to go: In the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, the spires of the church rise over Jackson Square and can be seen from the opposite side of the Mississippi River. A small wooden church, built in 1718, was the first on the site. The Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 destroyed the second church, a brick and timber building finished in 1727. Construction of the third church on the site took place between 1789 and 1794. It was expanded and remodeled in 1850. Both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral.
On one side of the cathedral is the Old Ursuline Convent. Built in 1752, it is the only building from the French colonial period still standing in the United States. On the other side of the church, across Pirates Alley, is the Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, and a state museum. Both the convent and the Cabildo are open for tours.
When you’ve toured to your heart’s content, cross Jackson Square for a beignet at Cafe du Monde.
Ammenities: There are gift shops in the cathedral and the convent.
Access: Walking to the cathedral is easy from anywhere in the French Quarter. Be careful, there are some loose cobblestones in the walkways and a few steps to climb.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All of these sites are kid-friendly.
Info: Address — Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France,  615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116-3291. Phone — 504/525-9585. Web — www.stlouiscathedral.org

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