Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Diocese of Albany

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located on Madison Avenue hill overlooking the Hudson River.

Completed in 1852 it was consecrated by the Most Reverend John Hughes, Archbishop of New York.

The spires of the cathedral were built approximately twenty-five years apart. The northern spire was completed in 1862. The Cathedral’s southern spire on the other hand was constructed in 1888.

The Cathedral’s bells were blessed by Bishop McCloskey on November 16, 1862. They were placed in the north tower and rang for the first time on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1862. The bells were cast in West Troy (Watervliet), New York in the legendary Meneely Bell Foundry.

The Basilica-Cathedral of Saint James

Diocese of Brooklyn.

The first St. James (parish) church—the present structure was completed in 1902—was built on the same location that the basilica cathedral occupies today. At its opening it held the distinction of being the only Catholic church in all of Long Island, today it is the third oldest Catholic church in New York City. The church was formally dedicated on August of 1823.

In 1853, the Diocese of Brooklyn was carved out from the Archdiocese of New York, and Bishop John Loughlin was appointed by the Holy See as its first bishop. The new bishop selected St. James to be his pro-cathedral with the expectation that a new, more suitable cathedral would be built. The hoped for new cathedral was never erected, and the pro-cathedral became the permanent seat of the Bishops of Brooklyn.

On May 6, 1982, during the 160th anniversary year of its founding, the Cathedral of Saint James was designating a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Archdiocese of New York

Designed by the celebrated 19th century architect James Renwick, Jr., in the Neo-Gothic style, the Cathedral of St. Patrick on 5th avenue in Manhattan stands as the singular most recognized monument to the memory of New York’s first Archbishop, John Joseph Hughes. Work on the cathedral was started in 1858, and the cathedral was not consecrated until May of 1879.

In 1901 construction of the Lady Chapel was begun. Cardinal Spellman renovated the sanctuary of the cathedral replacing the high altar with a new high altar and bronze baldachino. St. Patrick’s Cathedral has the distinction of having been visited by three popes; Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. In addition Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli (later to become Pope Pius XII) visited the cathedral as Secretary of State for Pope Pius XI.

The Co-Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Co-Cathedral of Mary Our Queen was consecrated by Bishop Jerome Sebastian on October 13, 1959. The construction of the Co-Cathedral was largely financed by funds donated by Mr. Thomas O’Neill of Baltimore, in whose honor the chapel of St. Thomas More was constructed. The architectural style of the sandstone and brick structure, located at the northern end of the city, near St. Mary’s Seminary and Loyola University is late art deco. The Co-Cathedral has the distinction of having been visited by Pope John Paul II, a plaque located at the entrance to the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament commemorates the Holy Father’s visit.

Cathedrals of the United States.

Basilica and Co-cathedral of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Baltimore Maryland.

Cathedral of Baltimore.

After the war of independence the Holy See permitted the establishment, in the new republic, of a native hierarchy. Baltimore, because of the large concentration of American Catholics in that city, and because of the city's historical connection to the development of English speaking Catholicism in the New World was chosen as the See City for the new diocese. In 1806 the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was consecrated and became the first cathedral of American Catholicism. Since it open it has been elevated to the rank of a Basilica, and enjoys the title of Co-Cathedral of the Arch-diocese of Baltimore. This magnificent edifice has been a focal point of Catholic life in the United States, functioning not only as the heart of the Diocese and after the Arch-diocese of Baltimore, but as the location for three local councils and a host of other national Catholic events.

An view of the interior of the Basilica
after the renovation project of 2004.

Christopher Columbus Day

"The Discovery of the Americas"
by the Catalan artist Dali.

Christopher Columbus; destined herald of the true faith to half of the human race.

XLVI anniversary of the opening of the Council

October 11th 1962 His Holiness Pope John XXIII solemnly opened

the second ecumenical council to be held at the Vatican.

Unlike previous ecumenical councils, the Second Vatican Council was not held to combat contemporary heresies or deal with awkward disciplinary questions but simply, in the words of Pope John's opening message, to renew "ourselves and the flocks committed to us, so that there may radiate before all men the lovable features of Jesus Christ, who shines in our hearts that God's splendor may be revealed."