National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- Dallas, Texas

Destination: The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located in the heart of downtown Dallas, has long been known as a landmark in the Diocese of Dallas for its enduring cultural and faith-filled significance, drawing pilgrims from across north Texas and beyond. 

Now, the long beloved diocesan landmark is also a national shrine. 

Bishop Edward J. Burns of Dallas announced Oct. 3 that the cathedral had been granted the significant designation of a national shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. On Dec. 12, the parish community welcomed tens of thousands for a special Mass that day to honor the cathedral’s new status. 

On the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, all hours celebrate the cathedral's patron. Activities include mañanitas in the early morning, the Spanish colonial traditional matachines dance, and an evening blessing of flowers. 

Any day of the year, the cathedral is well worth a visit. 

Photos: Top — The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, shown in an undated photo, was designated as a national shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns announced the new status Oct. 3 (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz).

Bottom — National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (OSV News photo/Santos Martinez, courtesy The Texas Catholic)

Why to go: “This cathedral has been a sanctuary for countless souls, a place of worship and a center for spiritual growth,” says Father Belmontes, the cathedral’s rector. 

“Its architecture and history serve as an architectural analog of God’s grace as it continues the mission to serve the needs of its parishioners, the diocese, and the community at large.”

Admission: Parking fees may apply, and the parish has a gift shop open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays; see times at https://www.cathedralguadalupe.org/giftshop/giftshop.html

Accessibility: An elevator is available for easy access to the floors, and although there are many stairs, a wheelchair ramp gives the campus full accessibility. 

The most convenient parking is located right next to the cathedral at Hall Arts Garage, with entrances on Pearl St. and Crockett St. Parking is validated if you visit the gift shop or attend a parish-sponsored Mass. Free street parking is available on Flora St. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! 

Info: Address — National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone — 214-871-1362
Website — https://www.cathedralguadalupe.org/index.html

—By Michael Gresham, OSV News. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

'Catacombs by Candlelight' -- Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York, N.Y.

Destination: “Catacombs by Candlelight” perhaps conjures images of a subterranean tour in Rome led by a guide wearing a headlamp. In New York, it’s the name of a history lesson told while exploring the cemetery and burial vaults of one of the city’s oldest Catholic churches. At the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, the tour’s tone is respectful and the candles are battery-operated LED models. 

Frank Alfieri, the basilica’s director of cemetery and columbaria, said the tours were established in 2017 to communicate the basilica’s historical significance; it has been an active mainstay of the lower Manhattan area for more than 200 years. 

The tours also are a form of evangelization. “Any time you can get somebody into a church, there is a possibility you can evangelize, even nonverbally. A church gives you a small glimpse of heaven,” Alfieri says.

Eight 80-minute tours are conducted five days a week for groups as large as 40. 

Photos: Top — Members of a tour group explore the catacombs of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City Oct. 15 (OSV News photos/Gregory A. Shemitz).

Bottom — A tour enters the undercroft of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. 

Why to go: The candlelight tours “shine” for history buffs and visitors of faith alike. A highlight of the tour is the original grave of Haitian-born sainthood candidate Pierre Toussaint, declared venerable in 1996. He came to New York as an enslaved man. As a freeman, he was a successful hairdresser and devoted himself to helping the poor and sick. 

Historic headstones in the cemetery date back to 1803. In the catacombs, vaults contain the mortal remains of New York Catholics of Irish, German, French and Spanish heritage. A single ornate mausoleum was built for Gen. Thomas Eckert, a confidant of Abraham Lincoln and later an executive at Western Union.

Admission: Tickets range from $30-37. Check in at the TNY Kiosk in the courtyard of 32 Prince St.

Accessibility: The tour is wheelchair-accessible. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course — perfect for an adventurous child! They might enjoy seeing the three sheep who seasonally control the grass in the cemetery. 

Info: Address — Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, 263 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Phone — 212-300-7682
Email — info@takeawalk.com
Website — https://takeawalk.com/old-cathedral-tours/

—By Beth Griffin, OSV News. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Starved Rock State Park -- Oglesby, Ill.

See God at work in autumn beauty at Starved Rock State Park. 

Destination: Jesus “set before me the book of nature,” St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote in her Story of a Soul, remembering the joy of childhood walks with her family. Fall’s changing colors extend a new invitation to us to read and know God in this “book of nature.” 

This time of year, New England forests steal the show with their warm quiltwork of rich reds and bright oranges.  But that’s not the only place to find fall colors! 

Mixbook, a photo book brand based in California, aims to reveal the “hidden gems” of autumn beauty. This August, the company surveyed 3,000 people around the United States to find the top 150 “under-the-radar” fall destinations. Starved Rock State Park  was voted as Illinois’ top “hidden gem” and landed at #24 on the list (https://www.mixbook.com/inspiration/fall-foliage-americas-hidden-gems).

Starved Rock State Park is open daily from 7 a.m.-sunset and is free for all to enjoy. 

Photos: Top — Leaves paint dots of oranges and golds over a waterfall at Aurora Canyon in Starved Rock State Park. The trail to the canyon is .2 miles long and starts at the Starved Rock Lodge (Photos/Wikimedia Commons, uploaded by B3thedw).

Bottom — Fall colors are abundant even on simple trails. 

Why to go: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John of the Cross and Pope St. John Paul II are just a few saints whose writings on creation have guided the Church throughout the world. Take some time on the trail to pray — you’ll be in good heavenly company. 

If you’re looking for a Mass on the road, Catholic churches are within 15 minutes of the park. 

St. Mary Parish, at 303 S. Division St. in North Utica, is seven minutes away. The church holds weekday Masses at 7 a.m., Saturday vigil Mass at 5 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8 and 10 a.m.

Holy Family Parish, at 311 N. Woodland Ave in Oglesby, is 11 minutes away. The church holds Mass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., Saturday vigil Mass at 4 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8 and 10 a.m. 

Accessibility: Trails are relatively short; most are 0-2 miles. Staircases and rest benches are placed throughout the park. (Trolley tours and boat rides are also provided as non-hiking options.) Service dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash, cleaned up after and provided water. Parking lots are busiest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course — just look at what St. Thérèse remembered from her childhood!

Info: Address — Starved Rock State Park (visitor center), 2678 E. 873 Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348
Phone — 815-667-4211
Website — https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/starved-rock-state-park/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with information from Mixbook provided by Penny Wiegert, editor. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Our Lady of Victory Parish and St. Francis Xavier Parish -- Cape Cod, Mass.

Destination: With summer vacation time underway, some may choose to wend their way to “Old Cape Cod.” Some may not realize there are many small towns along the hook-shaped land. But if you happen to visit this part of the Diocese of Fall River on a weekend, here are two of several options for Mass.

Mass times: Our Lady of Victory — Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.; Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m.; St. Francis Xavier —  Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Portuguese; 9 and 11 a.m., English; 1 p.m., Spanish. 

Photos: First — Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, Mass., is in a park-like setting with ample parking for visitors (Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld).

Second — On the grounds near Our Lady of Victory Parish is a memorial to babies who died before birth (right).

Third — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, Mass., abuts the street, but has plenty of room inside the cross-shaped church.

Fourth — An inconspicuous sign near a fence post in front of St. Francis Xavier, explains its connection to the Kennedy family.

Why to go: Both parishes offer a flavor of life on Cape Cod and serve both year-round parishioners and seasonal visitors. 

Our Lady of Victory was founded in 1957 and held its first Masses in the newly completed church basement.

St. Francis Xavier was founded as St. Patrick Parish in 1874 and became St. Francis Xavier in 1903. It has served a variety of immigrant groups over the years. 

The church in Hyannis was close to the home of Rose and Joseph Kennedy Sr., and has been the summer parish of their family members since then. 

Accessibility: Each parish has ample parking and handicapped access. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Like any parish, visitors of all ages are welcome.

Info: Address — Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 S. Main St., Centerville, MA 02632 
Phone — 773-925-6600 (ext. 6626)
Website — https://olvparish.org/

St. Francis Xavier Parish, 347 South St., Hyannis, MA 02601 
Phone — 508-775-0818
Website — https://www.sfxhyannis.org/

—By Sharon Boehlefeld, staff contributor. 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 Churches - London, England

(CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Destination: The peal of church bells across London for three minutes beginning at 8:12 a.m., July 27, signaled the beginning of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games had begun in England’s capital. If you’ve been planning a vacation abroad  to coincide with Olympic events, you may want to visit one of several Catholic Churches that will host hospitality centers, at least, until Aug. 12.
Masses will vary at each church, so check as you go.
In the photo, young people surround Pope Benedict XVI outside Westminster Cathedral in central London during his September 2010 visit to the city. When you visit, you may also want to see the Anglican Westminster Abbey, but for Mass, you’ll want the cathedral.
Where to go: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Grove Crescent Road, Stratford E15 1NS, stands just a quarter-mile east of the Olympic Park. It is run by the Franciscan Friars Minor. Two large marquees fitted with big screen televisions stand in the church parking lot to broadcast all events live. Free refreshments were to be offered 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Mass will be celebrated daily at 12:15 p.m., and from 9 a.m. til 6 p.m., daily, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Catherine of Siena Church, 177 Bow Road, E3 2SG,  also will be open for adoration 6 p.m.-midnight and St. Anthony’s Church at Forest Gate, E7 9QB, from midnight-9 a.m. St. Catherine of Siena parishioners will also be handing out free bottles of water and votive candles to passersby.
The Marist-run parish, Notre Dame de France Parish, 5 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX, in the heart of London’s West End entertainment, shopping and dining district, is planning a “Praise Marathon” from 3 p.m., Aug. 4 through Aug. 5. This church offers Mass in English and French.
Access: Your biggest problem may be traffic.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s the Olympics, after all.
Info: Web: Diocese of Westminster — www.rcdow.org.uk; Diocese of Brentwood — http://dioceseofbrentwood.net; www.catholic2012.com; www.morethangold.org.uk;  @catholic2012.

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Editor's note: Many of the sites that were available during the Olympics may be out of service, but you can always check the Diocese of Westminster site at http://rcdow.org.uk/ for more information.