'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

Adoration Chapels -- Diocese of Rockford, Ill.

Destination: Ready for a pilgrimage? 

Parish pilgrimages abound all times of year, but as the new school year gets started and schedules start to fill with commitments, a peaceful day trip or weekend at a shrine may seem out of reach. Maybe, at the end of the day, you only have free time after 10 at night — or later. 

None of that is an obstacle for God, though, who rejoices when we spend time with Him! 

Eighteen adoration chapels around the Diocese of Rockford ensure that we are never too far from Him. Perpetual adoration hours (or nighttime hours) welcome us amid our “hustle and bustle” and invite us to a time of quiet prayer. 

Photos: Top — The adoration chapel at Holy Cross Parish, Batavia, is located in the church building left of the main sanctuary altar (Photo provided).

Bottom — A stained-glass window at St. Mary Parish, Huntley, depicts St. Clare (the founder of the Poor Clares) repelling the Saracen invaders with the Blessed Sacrament (Photo provided/Maria Maddox).

Why to go: Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is quoted as saying, “We become like that which we gaze upon;” by spending time with God, we become more like Him. Ideas for a Holy Hour (or any length of time before the Blessed Sacrament or in another quiet place) include reading Scripture, listening to worship music, journaling, or simply sitting and talking with God. 

Accessibility: Not all of the chapels are open 24/7, and some have different weekend hours. Many of the chapels use key codes. Visit or call the parish office ahead of time for the code. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! After school (and maybe after some time at the playground) might be a good time for them to stop for even a quick prayer before Jesus. 

Info: This year, The Observer published a special 24-page bilingual booklet about the diocese’s adoration chapels, the Eucharist and adoration. “Holy Time with God” includes a map, locations and open times for each of the 18 chapels. 

You can download copies of the booklet for free (in PDF format) by visiting https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/files/files/Special%20Sections/2023%20EuchRev%20-WEB.pdf or by clicking the image in the yellow box on The Observer website at https://observer.rockforddiocese.org/index

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with some information provided by Amanda Hudson. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

National Shrine of St. Thérèse — Darien, Ill.

Destination: The Observer is no stranger to the National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Darien, a pleasant day trip away from the Rockford Diocese. Years ago, when we featured this shrine, it held the largest collection of relics and memorabilia of St. Thérèse of Lisieux outside of France — and it still does! Now the shrine is also home to a “family reunion” of the relics of St. Thérèse’s parents, SS. Louis and Zélie Martin. 

The shrine is hosting the traveling relics from Sept. 17 through St. Thérèse’s feast day Oct. 1. Daily hours  during this time are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Typically, these are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). The Society of the Little Flower, who sponsors both the shrine and the visit, encourages guests to visit before Oct. 1, when large crowds are expected. 

Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Photos: Top — Visitors view the Centennial Reliquary of St. Thérèse and the reliquary of her parents, SS. Louis and Zélie Martin. The national shrine in Darien is hosting the relics for two weeks through Oct. 1 (Photo provided/https://www.littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese/).

Bottom — The entrance of the National Shrine of St. Thérèse (Photo/Wikimedia Commons).

Why to go: SS. Louis and Zélie (Guerin) Martin married in 1858 after individually attempting to enter religious vocations. They had nine children, and all five who survived infancy entered religious life. Together the couple strove to raise their children with love and virtue and taught them to seek holiness through the devotions of the Church. They were beatified in 2009. 

The shrine and museum include highlights like photographs and paintings of scenes from St. Thérèse’s life, a prayer gazebo, and a full-sized exact replica of her convent cell which includes several second-class relics. 

Admission: Unless visiting in a tour program, admission is always free and no reservation is needed. 

Accessibility: The shrine and the retreat center are wheelchair-accessible. Ample parking is available.  

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! They might enjoy finding the map of North America that St. Thérèse made when she was 12. Just like them, the “Little Flower” was once small too.

Info: Address — National Shrine of St. Therese, 8501 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561 
Phone — 800-621-2806
Website — https://www.littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor, with some information provided by Sharon Boehlefeld. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Marian Library -- University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio

Destination: A research library at an Ohio university houses what it calls “the largest dedicated collection of materials on Mary in the world” — and its doors are as open as the Blessed Mother’s arms.

Founded in 1943, the Marian Library lives up to its motto of “De Maria numquam satis” (“Never enough about Mary”). Its books, periodicals, articles, prints and religious artifacts — combined with resources in an array of disciplines, including patristics, biblical studies, Church history, spirituality, hymnography and iconography — represent 100 languages and form an impressive repository that only one institution can match, said Sarah Cahalan, executive director, to OSV News. 

“It’s not a competition, but obviously the Vatican had a significant head start,” she admitted.

Photos: Top — The Marian Library includes scrapbooks containing vintage Marian holy cards and archival newspaper clippings (OSV News photos/Marian Library, University of Dayton).

Bottom — A student visits the exhibition “A Vision of Art and Faith” at the Marian Library. 

Why to go: The Marian Library is hosting the art exhibit “East Meets West,” which features selections from the library’s Ukrainian Marian Collection, which was established in 1981 by past Marian Library employee Helen (Halyna) Nkolyshyn. The exhibit runs through Nov. 10.  

For Nkolyshyn, who died in 2000, assembling the Ukrainian Marian Collection was a “passion project,” said Cahalan. “Her family had to leave Ukraine because of religious persecution, and her work has become increasingly relevant again.” Seeing Mary through fresh eyes is a goal of the Marian Library, she said.

Admission: The Marian Library welcomes all visitors, including those with no University of Dayton affiliation, and is open Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on weekends and holidays. 

Accessibility: The main entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and elevators connect all the floors. Accessible restrooms and water fountains are on each floor. Service animals are welcome.   

(Grand) Kid friendly: Of course! The library’s website provides “Fun and Games with Mary” under its “Collections” tab. These include a matching game (printable and digital options), coloring pages and digital jigsaw puzzles.

Info: Address — Marian Library, Roesch Library, University of Dayton, 300 College Park Dr., Dayton, Ohio. 

Phone — 937-229-4221

Website — https://udayton.edu/marianlibrary/index.php

—By Gina Christian, OSV News. 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

St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel -- Chicago, Ill.

Destination: For members of St. Rita of Cascia Parishes in Aurora and Rockford, their parish patron’s feast day is coming up on May 22. The national shrine dedicated to her is getting ready to celebrate with a novena, Masses and a blessing with her relic — but all of that is over 12 hours away in Philadelphia!

Fortunately, a small, peaceful shrine is tucked away in St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago, just an hour or so away from Aurora and Rockford. 

Novenas, Mass and confessions are held on the first Thursday of each month at the shrine, starting at 6 p.m. (confessions at 6 p.m., and novena and Mass at 7 p.m.). 

Photos: Top — Augustinian Father Jack Tierney welcomes visitors to the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in a video on the shrine’s website (Observer screengrab/ Megan Peterson).

Bottom — One of the shrine’s mosaics depicts St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Photo/ St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel).

Why to go: The shrine was established in 1905 and moved to its current location in 1990. It has been served by Augustinian friars since 1907, who continue to serve the shrine and the school today. 

The shrine holds a mix of new and original art and artifacts. A reliquary holds a first-class relic of St. Rita  of Cascia. Hanging banners and stained-glass windows tell the life story of the 15th-century wife, mother, widow and Augustinian nun, known as the patron saint of impossible causes who aids those in times of difficulty.  

Mosaics and statues around the chapel also depict nine saints, including new saints like St. Pope John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta. 

Admission: There is no cost to visit, though hours are infrequent due to the school schedule. An email list is the best way to find out about new events; sign up at https://tinyurl.com/4bcpy5rp or email shrine@stritahs.com with any questions. 

Accessibility: The school campus is designed to be wheelchair-accessible for students. Ramps and elevators (as needed) are present. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: The chapel is housed in a kid-friendly school already, so they are welcome! And, better yet, if your grandson has the opportunity to meet one of the friars, he may be opened to the idea of discerning religious life.  

Info: Address — St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western Ave. Chicago, Ill.  

Phone — 773-925-6600 (ext. 6626) 

Website — https://www.stritashrinechicago.com/

—By Megan Peterson, features/multimedia editor. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org