The following comes from an Our Sunday Visitor story dated June 2, 2013.
Based on culture, history, physical landscape and spirituality, the following list of Top 10 U.S. Catholic Cities — listed in no particular order — highlights American hubs with a Catholic pulse.
New Orleans
….The roots of New Orleans Catholicism took hold in 1699, when Father Anastase Douay celebrated the first recorded Mass on Louisiana soil near the mouth of the Mississippi on Mardi Gras. Since then, worshippers have gathered regularly — most consistently and notably at the Cathedral of St. Louis in Jackson Square.
Originally built in 1789 but greatly rebuilt in 1850, this grand cathedral sits on the site where worshippers have gathered since the earliest colonial churches in 1727. The sacred space, considered the oldest continuously functioning cathedral in the United States, houses a monument honoring Venerable Henriette DeLille, known as the “servant of slaves,” who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family still present in New Orleans.
Three shrines are worth a look when visiting New Orleans. The National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos is located inside St. Mary’s Assumption Church, and it includes the tomb containing his relics, a museum and a gift shop. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, patroness of New Orleans who is believed to have helped the city defend itself against a British attack in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, is located on State Street, on the same grounds as the Ursuline Academy and residence of the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. Also noteworthy is the International Shrine of St. Jude….
Emmitsburg, Md.
Located at the base of the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland, the town of Emmitsburg could be considered the seat of American Catholicism. It was in Emmitsburg where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American saint, and her three daughters arrived in 1809 from Baltimore. It was there where Mother Seton established the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the first congregation of religious sisters to be founded in the United States that turned into the basis for several more religious orders. And it’s there where she is buried at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Notable sites at the shrine include the Stone House — originally built in 1750, it later housed the first headquarters for the Sisters of Charity; the White House, a one-room school built in 1810; and a cemetery, basilica and chapel tomb where Mother Seton often prayed….
Bethlehem, Conn.
Settled 100 miles northeast of New York City, the town of Bethlehem, Conn., might seem like a strange pick for a top U.S. Catholic city. But the presence of the Abbey of Regina Laudis lends Bethlehem and the surrounding area an undeniable aura of Catholic culture. Founded in 1947, the abbey houses a community of contemplative Benedictine women who are, according to its website, “dedicated to the praise of God through prayer and work.” The nuns and other volunteers work the 450 acres of land, yielding an array of products ranging from pottery and candles to honey, vinegar and perfume….
Mother Dolores Hart, former actress and author of the recent autobiography “The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows,” serves as prioress of the abbey….
St. Louis
Known as “the Rome of the West” because of its rich Catholic history, St. Louis was pivotal in spreading Catholicism into the western half of the United States. Its “Old Cathedral,” the Basilica of St. Louis, King, was founded in 1770 and is the first Catholic cathedral west of the Mississippi River.
The “New Cathedral,” formally known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, is a sight to see in its own right with its Byzantine revival architecture and what is believed to be the largest collections of mosaics in North America. According to the cathedral’s website, these mosaics were designed “to remind all of us that God reaches into our earthly lives.”
St. Louis also is home to the St. Patrick Center, an action-based service provider of housing, employment and health services for the homeless or those at risk for homelessness. The St. Patrick Center assists more than 9,000 people each year….
Denver
With a growing number of Catholic institutions present, Denver is fast becoming a major Catholic city. Much of the renewal of faith in the “Mile High City” can be traced to its being the site of World Youth Day in 1993.
During his World Youth Day visit, Blessed John Paul II celebrated Mass in downtown Denver at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. That alone makes it a “must-see” site — but the cathedral is a masterpiece in its own right with its 210-foot spires, altar, statuary and bishop’s chair made out of Italian marble, and 75 stained-glass windows that hail from Munich. The cathedral was consecrated in 1921 and elevated to a minor basilica Dec. 25, 1989.
Also stemming from John Paul II’s 1993 visit is the St. Augustine Institute, a fast-growing Catholic graduate school that, according to its website, trains students “to proclaim the Gospel with ‘new ardor, method and expression’ as Blessed John Paul II insisted.”
Much of Denver’s Catholic activity centers on the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization, a space that houses both the archdiocesan offices as well as St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Redemptoris Mater seminary, the Religious Sisters of Mercy convent, an outdoor Stations of the Cross and a renowned Cardinal Stafford Library — not to mention large soccer and softball fields. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the center once was known as the St. Thomas Seminary; the name changed after World Youth Day.
A shrine to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (though not the national one, which is in Chicago), is located just outside the city limits in Golden, Colo.
Denver’s surrounding environs also serve as home base for Catholic News Agency (Englewood, Colo.) and the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (Golden). The city will host the 2013 Catholic Media Convention in June.
San Antonio
….The most popular, Mission San Antonio, was established in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares and was later converted to the “Alamo,” a military fort that was sieged in 1836 (“Remember the Alamo!”). Visitors can take in the entire experience by driving, biking or walking down a 10-mile Mission Trail.
One of the most striking structures in San Antonio — and certainly the most historic — is the San Fernando Cathedral. Founded in 1731, it’s the “oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the state of Texas,” according to its website. It’s also the oldest standing church building in the state.
Also not to be missed is the grandiose Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, with marble altar, stained-glass windows and hand-carved Stations of the Cross. In true St. Thérèse style, roses, too, are in abundance.
San Antonio is also home to the Oblate School of Theology, run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who arrived in Texas in 1849. The school forms both future priests and the laity for ministry in the Church.
One thing not to miss: the statue of St. Anthony of Padua on the city’s popular River Walk….
Chicago
Chicago’s Catholic heart is based in its ethnic diversity.
As the Windy City became industrialized in the mid-19th century, immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe flocked to Chicago — joining the already present Irish and Germans — to become part of its workforce. Ethnic communities naturally formed, and ethnic Catholic parishes naturally followed. Today, more than 350 Catholic churches remain, many built in impressive European style.
Three are designated basilicas by the Vatican: Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in East Garfield Park (home to the National Shrines of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Peregrine, patron saint of those suffering from cancer); Queen of All Saints Basilica in Forest Glen (the location of the signing of the Treaty of Chicago); and the Basilica of St. Hyacinth (with its 62 relics).
Always bustling is St. Peter’s in the Loop, with its seven weekday Masses and confessions every day but Sunday. Beautiful artwork can be found at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Bucktown and, for those with hopeless causes to unburden, a small National Shrine of St. Jude is located inside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on the South Side.
Also not to be missed is St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, designated the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy by Cardinal Francis George in 2007, and its iconic (and quite large) Our Lady of the Sign-Ark of Mercy monstrance.
Paying tribute to the many immigrants who make up the fabric of Chicago, the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, also can be found in the Windy City and was renovated in 2012.
The archdiocese is also the home of Mundelein seminary, headed by Father Robert Barron. Chicago also is the hub of the Catholic Press Association, the Catholic Theological Union and the canonization cause for Servant of God Father Augustus Tolton….
Pittsburgh, Pa.
…. Pittsburgh offers visitors a variety of beautiful churches in a diocese with more than 650,000 Catholics. St. Paul Cathedral, located in the Oakland neighborhood, is the diocesan mother church and, according to its website, “stands and shines as a beacon of hope.” For a healthy dose of art, visit St. Nicholas Parish and take in its walls and ceilings covered in murals, including one depicting Croatian peasants in native dress praying the Angelus. Also nearby is St. Paul of the Cross Monastery, the U.S. motherhouse of the Passionist religious order, who have been in Pittsburgh since 1852. The monastery offers a rich history, a peaceful facility and an opportunity for retreat.
If relics are your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss St. Anthony’s Chapel, which touts the largest public collection of relics in the world. Located on Troy Hill and overlooking the Allegheny River, the chapel contains more than 5,000 relics, including a piece of Jesus’ crown of thorns and a portion of St. Joseph’s cloak.
The Pittsburgh Oratory of St. Philip Neri, located within walking distance of St. Paul, runs the Ryan Catholic Newman Center for the University of Pittsburgh. It offers perpetual Eucharistic adoration and is active in reaching out to young people on college campuses. Also affiliated with John Henry Newman is the National Institute for Newman Studies, a study and research institute developed to bring Newman’s teachings to today’s society.,,,
Also noteworthy is that Pittsburgh is the seat of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, which governs all Byzantine Catholic churches in the United States. At the archeparchy’s center is St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, filled in typical Byzantine style with rich-colored iconography. The archeparchy also operates Sts. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary, which prepares priests for all Byzantine Catholic eparchies in North America.
St. Augustine, Fla.
The first Mass was celebrated by Father López de Mendoza Grajales on Sept. 8, 1565, the day the Spanish ship arrived in the New World. A result of that settlement was its oldest parish: now the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Renovated in 1965-66, the cathedral, with its ornate exposed bell tower, was raised to the dignity of a minor basilica on Dec. 4, 1976.
A natural vacation destination with its cobblestone streets and oceanfront view, St. Augustine also offers a place of spiritual renewal. The Mission of Nombre de Dios, and its accompanying Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, is located steps from the arterial waterways that lead to the Atlantic Ocean. The mission was established on the land where, according to its website, Father López celebrated the first Mass (an 11-foot statue of the priest stands adjacent to a nearby lagoon).
Also part of the mission are Prince of Peace Church and “The Great Cross,” both built to commemorate the mission’s (and city’s) quadricentennial in 1965. The cross is 208 feet tall, weighs 70 tons and is made of 200 stainless steel panels.
In the center of the mission grounds is the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of La Leche, the first shrine dedicated to the Blessed Mother in the United States. Established in 1615, Our Lady of La Leche (Our Lady of the Milk) is a popular destination for mothers to ask God to grant them a safe delivery and happy, healthy children….
Los Angeles
It might be best known for Hollywood, movie stars and Sunset Boulevard, but the City of Angels, home to 4.2 million Catholics (in the diocese), has a rich Catholic history dating back to the settlement of Spanish missions by Franciscan friars along California’s coast.
San Gabriel Arcángel Mission, founded Sept. 8, 1771, by Father Pedro Cambón and Father Angel Somera, was the original mother church of Los Angeles County. The original altar was handmade in Mexico City, and surrounding wooden statues were carved in Spain.
Just to the north of the city is Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana, founded in 1797. Not to miss there is the elaborately carved altar, reredos and pulpit — handmade out of walnut. These pieces originally were installed in the chapel of St. Philip Neri in Spain, then were reassembled for use at San Fernando. The mission also is home to the Bob Hope Memorial Garden, the final resting place of the comedian and Catholic convert.
Juxtaposed with the traditional architecture of the missions, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the mother church of Los Angeles, is a massive, modern structure completed in 2002 to accommodate more than 3,000 worshippers.
The cathedral was built in place of more historic St. Vibiana’s Cathedral, which closed in 1995 due to earthquake damage. The new cathedral is a permanent home to a piece of St. Juan Diego’s tilma with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe upon it, as well as the largest collection of tapestries hanging in a Catholic church in the United States.
Two other places of interest: the Monastery of the Angels just north of Hollywood, renowned for its homemade goodies; and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Hollywood, the oldest church in Beverly Hills. The church appeared in several movies, was the site of Gary Cooper’s conversion, and hosted Frank Sinatra’s funeral.
To read entire story, click here.
Most of the corruption in government and society stems from these big cities. Not that the “bright lights and big cities” have not always been morally corrupt, but that this situation is worsening. And one can wonder if the prevalence of weak bishops stems from the corrupt cities or if even the best bishops in history would be overwhelmed in today’s metropolices.
Click on the link and see the comments for OSV readers reaction.
Los Angeles is in a sorry state. Cardinal Mahony was a tragedy. Archbishop Gomez is of the view that the government is at fault for our immigration tragedy because the federal laws were not enforced. The San Gabriel Mission is a museum and not used for masses. Arghhhhh.
Gratias, you are wrong about masses at the Mission. Every Sunday there are two masses inside of the Old Mission Church, one at 7:00am, the other at 9:30am. I have been to mass in the Old Church twice.
Have you been to St. Therese of Liseux in Alhambra? Its where the more orthodox Catholics go in the area (as opposed to Holy Family in South Pasadena). Latin Mass every Sunday at St. Therese.
Watch out, New Orleans, Fr. Schexnayder and the “Catholic Association of Lesbian and Gay Ministries” is having a conference in New Orleans in September. Parents, keep your children away from the Hotel Monteleone in mid-September! The conference theme is “Setting the Table for all YOUTH: YOURS, Mine, Ours” (emphasis added).
It is a shame that we have to be so alert about what is going on in the “Gay Community”, to protect our children. When is anyone going to understand to act on these impulses is a sin.
The Basilica Cathedral of St. Louis sounds amazing! I read in Wikipedia that the mosaics which cover the interior were completed in 1988.
For a good read – Catholic San Francisco, Cloistered Carmelite Sister Mother Mary Joseph dies at age 100. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Amen!
Historical perspective has little bearing on todays 2012-2013 “top Catholic Cities” and should not be used to determine today’s Catholicity.
In each city mentioned (for 2012/13)
1. What PERCENTAGE of baptized Catholics attend Mass every Sunday? (Without good cause it is a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday).
2. What PERCENTAGE of baptized Catholics go to Confession at least once a year?
(It is a mortal sin not to go to Confession at least once a year.)
3. How many Priestly Vocations come out of the cities mentioned – using male and age appropriate baptized Catholic percentage of baptized Catholics?
4. How many baptized Catholics read the Bible at home for 30 minutes at least once a month?
5. How many baptized Catholics over age 16 have read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” so they can accurately evangelize in this “Year of Faith”?
6. What is the percentage of Catholics who do NOT vote for pro-abortion, pro same-sex marriage politicians (and judges when appropriate)?
These answers will tell us the BASIC MINIMUM of faithful Catholics in a City, Diocese, or Parish.
These are the answers that will let Bishops know where their Diocese needs to improve.
I wonder if St Peter went to confession at least once per year?
Probably not, since confession was a heretical invention by the irish in the 6th century.
There are references to priests forgiving sins as far back as the 4th century. After His Resurrection, Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins.
4th century, Anonymous? Did you lose the first several pages of your comic book on the history of the Church?
John 20:21
Very good passage, Rose. It gives us some insight into the power and authority of the bishops.
Confession is not heretical, YFC. What a dolt you make yourself to be. St Paul instructs us to confess our sins … and this means with the will to turn from them. He even puts it as confessing the sins to the assembly … Yet, the Church making it a secret affair may have provided a good way as well. Since you do not understand or have any insight into what I refer to as “the assembly”, then it is pointless to further attempt to illuminate it for you. You still fail to engage the theology, religion and mysticism that I put on your plate … YFC, you simply have nowhere to go with your fruitcake sodomy pitches. Get real, get Jesus into your life.
YFC, down on your street level for a moment: Was that sixth century Irish “development” before or after the Irish invented whiskey?
“…….confession a heretical invention by the Irish in the 6th century”. Not true. Where do you get your idea from, an atheist professor while attending college? Or a comfortable reason for not confessing your sins?
Jesus, himself instituted confession when he said to his apostles, He breathed on them the Holy Spirit and said, whose sins you forgive are forgiven, whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:23
Great commentary Michael. Realistically, those are not stats that could be collected — who would tell the real truth? We need strong leadership in the Church. Pastoral qualities are overemphasized. As a newly reconciled Catholic, it is shocking the number of Catholics I meet that haven’t a clue what is written in the Catechism, or were told by certain priests that it is all nonsense anyway?! I have Peter Kreeft’s book: Catholic Christianity as a companion to my Catechism book. Highly recommend this. His book also draws out the distinction between Protestants and Catholics that I think is essential to understand.
Are you making fun of the precepts of the Church?
Probably funning the percepts of Anonymous … wouldn’tcha think?
No Skai, the Precepts of the Church require Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days, and Confession at least once a year.
If you do not know all 5 Precepts of the Church, read the CCC.
The Precepts of the Church were even in the old Baltimore Catechism.
More often than that. And a few times publically – as historically documented in Holy Scripture.
4. read Bible 30 minutes per month??? Pathetic.
There is a plenary indulgence every time you read the Bible for a minimum of 30 minutes. This includes the usual requirements for all plenary indulgences of sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the Intention of the Holy Father.
For info on the plenary and partial indulgences read: “MANUAL of INDULGENCES, Norms and Grants by the Apostolic Penitentiary. Its also called Enchidridion Indulgentiarum. More info about this is on the Vatican web site, and the book is available through the USCCB web site.
The Church encourages all of us to study Holy Scripture.
Mike is correct. Many Catholics NEVER read the Bible., and they should start.
When you read the missal, and the readings at mass on Sunday and throughout the week, you are reading sacred scripture, by doing this you can see the liturgical years a whole from Ordinary Time thru Advent.
That is reasonable, Rhodesian, but not nearly as filling as reading the Bible many times. If you do that, then all these other recommendations and programs provide a great great deal more than they would otherwise. One does not really know if reading the Bible completely is difficult until one tries … it is possible that the Lord steps in and works with those who do that and also do that as a prayer. “Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, do all for the glory of Jesus Christ” (St Paul).
I have read the entire Bible about 4 times just by reading one chapter per night several years ago.
I have restarted reading one chapter a day.
One “Our Father” a day, every day, is a good start.
We Catholics reab the Bible..we also obsorb our beautiful litergies at Mass..you should try it sometime!
Catholics read the entire bible if they attend mass every Sunday and by the end of three years will have gone through the entire bible. The mass is the bible. It drives me crazy when people say Catholics don’t read the bible since at every mass there is a reading from the old and new testament and on Sunday’s an additional reading.
Mary, I am sorry but that is not Correct. Even if you attend daily Mass, you only hear 13% of the Old Testament and 71 % of the New Testament. Check out Lectionary Statistics online.
Why are bloggers always concerned about how to do the bare minimum? What a bunch of slackers!!!
No one said we should only do the minimum. Skai.
Why do you try so hard to discourage people, yet rarely come up with a constructive formula yourself.
They are all encouraging the majority who never read the Bible – to start somewhere, and for the Bishops to START tracking where they need improvement.
The readings at Mass alone are not enough. Although good they usually do not give complete passages. For example the Sermon on the Mount starts at: Mt 5:1 and ends at Mt 7:28. Spreading this out over months does not give us a good sense of everything that took place and everything Jesus taught as He taught it.
MIKE, too bad St Paul didn’t have the CCC2ndEd when he evangelized Europe. Just think, maybe he could’ve evangelized India, and China and Africa also.
St. Thomas the Apostle evangelized India and was martyred there. We have many Catholics in California from the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church from India. It is an ancient Catholic rite. St. Thomas put a marker up in the heights of a certain part of India and told the Christians to go above that marker if there were a tsunami, and they would not be drowned. I believe there is a Catholic Church above that area. The last tsunami they had the Christians went above that marker and were saved from drowning. Evidently, St. Thomas, a Jewish Christian, knew a lot about the sea. This is all found in a beautiful little booklet called “The Doubter’s Novena, Nine Steps to Trust with the Apostle Thomas” by Mike Aquilina and Christopher Bailey, foreward by Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, and it can be bought on line, new or used.
As a convert St. Thomas the Doubter and St. Thomas More had a lot to do with my conversion, along with St. Thomas Aquinas.
Truly, as the Lord Jesus Christ said in John 4:22, “Salvation is from the Jews.”
On a cruise ship last year, we met a Christian (but not Catholic) Indian. The lot of us engaged in many conversations. The religions in this group included also Islam and Catholicism… a variety of “states” of Catholicism.
A major addition here. Let us not forget St. Francis Xaiver, (1506-1552), a Spanish Jesuit, whose incorrupt body lies in Goa, India evangelized India, the East Indies upto Japan and even China where he died. His influence is deep rooted in India and Jesuit colleges rank high all over India. The largest number of Jesuits are also in India. I come from two branches – the Syrian Catholic from St Thomas, and the Latin Catholic from St. Francis Xavier.
Regarding the article, it was a refreshing beginning. True, there are more cities to be included..as there is a silent spiritual return to the true Church established by Christ. It is certainly rejuvenated and we will bring in those who are mourning on the fence. For every Catholic who strays away, 10 are welcomed, as they are seeking solace and understanding. Christ’s work is ongoing and none can fault the message even if the messenger is deficient…and we recognize it.
He didn’t even have the Bible.
He had the Torah and the Prophets, the Old Testament, Anonymous. That was the “Bible” back in those days.
As the Muslims call us Jews and Christians, we are “people of the Book”.
And the Wisdom books were included, such as Sirach, Wisdom and Proverbs.
Yes. But of course it was not the Bible. It has to have the New Testament to be the Bible. It was kind of a joke aimed at Skai Smartiepants who is now targeting MIKE for some reason known only to him. MIKE is 100% loyal to the Church and does not deserve it, especially from someone who varies from Catholic teaching as often as Skai.
In other words St. Thomas had the whole Catholic Old Testament, the Septuagint, which includes Judith and Maccebees, because the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles quote from the Septuagint in the New Testament. You can find all this information or ask about it on the “Catholic Answers” website or buy their pamplets or books about the Holy Scriptures. Tan books also publishes older books about where we got the Scriptures. Most of them are updated.
Catholics have the complete Bible…protestants do not…Martin Luther and the reformers removed Sirach, Baruch, first and second Maccabees and Tobit…many reformers did not like the book of 2nd Maccabees because a passage in it referred to Purgatory… ‘it is a holy and wholesome though to pray for the dead that they be loosed from their sins…our Lord stated in Matthew chapter 5, “You will not be loosed from the prison until you pay the last farthing”…many of the heretical reformers did not like these passages because they taught of the place of purgatory, without using the word purgatory… Luther even wanted to remove the epistle of saint James because it stated. faith without works is dead”… this smashed Luther’s entire postiton, (along with others)…that we were saved by faith alone…
Skai, St. Paul helped to write the inspired Holy Scripture that is in the Bible, and his words are further explained in the “CCC 2nd Ed” which takes today’s society into consideration. Many paragraphs in the CCC refer to St. Paul’s writings in the Bible, and St. Peter’s actions and words as well.
Please read: Mt 16:18-19; and Mt. 13:52.
“This catechism will thus contain both the new and the old (cf. Mt 13:52), because the faith is always the same yet the source of ever new light.” – Pope John Paul II (CCC pg 4).
The Pope used his Apostolic Authority to promulgate the “CCC 2nd Ed”.
“In this Year of Faith let us ask ourselves if we have actually taken a few steps to get to know Christ and the truths of faith more, by reading and meditating on the Scriptures, studying the Catechism, steadily approaching the Sacraments.” – Pope Francis, May 15, 2013.
You book worshipers continue to understand my point. You imagine that I’m putting down these books, even though I’ve never done so.
Book worshipers?
I’m getting what you mean Skai….they are getting more insulting as the times is going. Sorry about that. It’s too bad that they don’t harass as often the gay advocates that come here on this Catholic website….
Maybe Skai a different strategy to convey may have to come in place from you or you can just avoid that subject all together, they are trying to discredit your faithfulness…
Skai watch your words…they will twist them or they may even come off across as something that may give them more ammo against you. You must admit some things do not come off well. I only say this because I care…brother in Christ.
Skai I don;t want them to get the wrong impression of you. I have been learning to pick and choose my battles here…I even have disciplined myself to not entertain irrelevant arguments from the same posters especially on the ones who are here to advocate “gay” agenda’s….they are worst and I am beginning to understand what what meant with the scripture passage that warned us about swine.
Beth, et al, you keep talking about reading all these Church books but you never seem to demonstrate what they actually say.
The Apostles had the best teacher in the history of the World.
Jesus never taught error – not even accidentally.
You’re focused on the discernment of truth from error, Anonymous. Time for you to climb the ladder a bit, or do you keep falling off when you try?
Do you just bug every anonymous or do you think they are all the same poster?
Anonymous, if you’ve been on this blog for a while you know that no CCD blog post goes without a few insults thrown at various commenters. He seems fixated upon belittling everyone around him. Don’t take it personally!
I am a different anonymous so I did not take it personally. I was just curious if he though it was all the same person. There are at least 6 from what I can discern. Sometimes even Skai posts anonymously . It happens if you leave the name field blank. Some posters get totally unglued over it. I don’t get it. What difference does it make?
I would think Lincoln, Nebraska would be especially qualified under these categories.
Amen!
I fully agree with Mike! Our church is way off the mark. What we need is a fire from the HOLY SPIRIT to awaken our sick society. GOD HELP US ALL!
Thumbs up for MIKE. Good post.
Architecture and history have little to do with “Catholics” today, as proven by their lifestyles and voting habits, and lack of knowledge of the Faith in general.
If people want to know where the Faithful Catholics are located, they should take a poll on the 6 questions Mike asked (May 26th post.)
It would also be helpful to let the Bishops know what is really happening in their Diocese and where they need work.
One more question might be “Without looking it up, list the 10 Commandments and the 5 Precepts of the Catholic Church”.
(Many Catholics might flunk on writing these 15 basics.)
Just as these were in the old Baltimore catechism, they are also in the “CCC 2nd Ed”.
Great criteria Mike, I would love to find out those answers.
These top ten Catholic cities is vey disturbing. Which of these cities voted with their Catholic faith during the last election? Sad.
Wow….this isn’t a political post…and for all these comments that are being posted none of you seem very Catholic to me, why don’t you judge a little more, that will open the gates of heaven faster…
Also Mike it isn’t your place to tell anyone how they should praise or worship their God…it’s people like you that put a bad name to the Catholic religion…Jesus the son of God does not judge on how much you read a bible or how many times you say an our father…it isn’t a point system…Jesus loves everyone no matter what path people take… That’s the best part about being Catholic… Forgiveness.
Santa Fe, New Mexico should have made the list. It has the oldest church in the US and is the pioneer city of Catholicism in the western US. Many Catholic martyrs died for our faith in the holy city during the Pueblo Revolt, some while defending the Cathedral. The Lortteo Chapel has a miracle spiral staircase traditionally believed to have been built by St. Joseph himself. St. Francis Cathedral is now a minor bascillica. The Carmelite Monestary is filled with prayerful cloitered nuns. The entire city and surrounding communities in northern New Mexico are rich with 400 years of Catholic history and beautiful churches.
Not a great article. How about Corpus Christi? 70% Catholic and a vibrant evangelization emphasis starting for the bishops? It, along with Lincoln, is a pearl amid the dross of AmChurch.
How did they vote in the last election. Catholic or Secular/Relativism?
Beautiful architecture is important, but it doesn’t measure the fidelity to the Church at the present time. In San Francisco, there are many beautiful churches, and Catholic schools and colleges, but would you call SF an important Catholic city? The article omitted mentioning how many churches and parochial schools that have been closed in the cities cited. In France, one measure of present state of the Church is how many church weddings are performed at the present time compared how many weddings were performed a decade earlier. There are far fewer now than in the past.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is responsible for one of three Coptic Catholic parishes in the US also for one of four Catholic Russian Byzantine parishes in the US. Within the Los Angeles County area of the Archdiocese there are also Armenian, Chaldean, Maronite, Melkite, Syrian, Knanaya, Malabar and Eritrean Ge’se Eastern Rite Catholics. Croatian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other ethnic Roman parishes exist. Sadly we have no dedicated TLM parish and only two parishes that have a weekly Sunday TLM and one in the Ventura County area of the Archdiocese.
Brownsville, Texas’ 940K+ makes it 85% Catholic. Making it the most Catholic Diocese in the USA.
This list is garbage. It is based on buildings and history, which does not determine one’s catholicity today. Denver is certainly an up and coming Catholic city (but this is most due to its previous bishop, NOT WYD), but I think it’s lack of monasteries merits a deduction. Also, the Mother Cabrini shrine – are you CRAZY? That peace-pole erecting, labyrinth promoting place went the way of the loons years ago.
LA – Seriously? Um, yeah. No.
What about Lincoln, NE? Atlanta, GA?
The criteria for this was bogus. Next time, take into account numbers in the seminary, Mass attendance, the presence of NFP-only doctors, homeschooling conferences, FSSP parishes, pro-life activities within the city, numbers coming into the church, and when you find a way to measure it, orthodoxy.
But, tell us what you really think, Amy. heheh. Really good points you brought up but you have to remember the source…this was from Our Sunday Visitor, after all, and not the New Oxford Review. Our Sunday Visitor is really sweet and not intended to really go into something really deeply. (I don’t mean it at all critically…it is good at what it does) Wish you would write an article yourself using your criteria. I think it would make very interesting reading…and also, perhaps it would be lovely to see just why your choices were really thriving Catholic cities. What could other diocese learn?
Dana…you should spend some time reading the Catholic publication , ‘The Wanderer”…I find myself reading it almost exclusively now…no liberal slant…only good meat and potatoes Catholicism!
Amy you do make sense….something to consider.. I found that much of the East Coast, they had a lot of Catholics but many liberal….so you may be correct….not to mention Maryland yikes….and more of course
Your pitiful opinion of Denver and Mother Cabrini Shrine..a pilgrimage site for the mass of immigrants in Colorado is a beautiful and thriving community.
Prayers for you ;)
Go To Rome! The Eternal City!…magnificent, and one of the land’s in the new Testament…the seat of Holy Mother Church!…all roads lead to Rome! Praised be Jesus Christ
Taken from other posts – – – –
1. What PERCENTAGE of baptized Catholics attend Mass every Sunday? (Without good cause it is a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday).
2. What PERCENTAGE of baptized Catholics go to Confession at least once a year?
(It is a mortal sin not to go to Confession at least once a year.)
3. How many Priestly Vocations come out of the cities mentioned – using male and age appropriate baptized Catholic percentage of baptized Catholics?
4. How many baptized Catholics read the Bible at home for 30 minutes at least once a month?
5. How many baptized Catholics over age 16 have read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” so they can accurately evangelize in this “Year of Faith”?
6. What is the percentage of Catholics who do NOT vote for pro-abortion, pro same-sex marriage politicians (and judges when appropriate)?
7. FSSP parishes, pro-life activities within the city,
numbers coming into the church (- including purging Parish members lists every two years from the names of those who have not ever attended Mass for the last 2 years and those who are deceased, and moved out of the Parish.)
8. Numbers of closing or opening of Parishes , and Catholic Schools.
These will tell the truth of the: “Top 10 Catholic cities, USA”.
Yes, we need this type of survey for each diocese Bishop.
Thanks Mike and Mac and others.
Historic and beautiful buildings do not make a “Catholic” city.
Reading sacred scripture is very beneficial…it might be wist to meditate on certain passages, throughout the liturgical year. maybe 15 minutes a day, for reflection, meditation and guidance. Any more then this could lead to “spiritual indigestion”, ….also, the roman missal when read daily is most efficacious…the readings for the day, can shape your life and help you understand the liturgical year as a whole…you may even read the Sunday readings daily, after each mass, during the weak, in order to gain fulfillment and understand our purpose as Christians. I have always found the “Imitation of Christ”, by Thomas a Kempis a wonderful book for contemplation and spiritual mediation…only a couple pages daily is usually enough…anymore then that and a case of spiritual indigestion could arise…one more thing, I also find that reading the hagiography of individual saint’s found in the missal and breviary a wellspring of comfort…it also gets us in greater touch with heroic, spiritual figures in the Church, who have done immense good by deed and example…something to be grasped at…
I don’t agree with this article’s criteria for the most Catholic of cities. It fails to mention the enormity of sin, and it makes simply the number of churches and the history of the cites the main factors. Give me a Catholic city where crime is low, public sin is low, bishops and priests are loyal to the Pope, charity and good works are high and politicians, elected by the Catholic majority are faithful, then you’ll most likely find small cities, but good ones, then I’ll believe you.
I live in Denver. The city is sparse with Catholics, although rife with Catholics in Name Only (CINOs). Homosexuality, pro-death culture with abortion seen as a female ‘right,’ and a growing drug and prostitution culture, I’d recommend avoiding Denver at all costs.
The top 10 catholic cities that are posted here are all wonderful. Because for me, even though they are not in the top, they still prestigious because it is the home of our god. Thanks for great opportunity to know this thing!
CatholicShop.net
Wow, I really love the list. It gives me places to go, for mass, or perhaps sightseeing when I have the opportunity to travel to these places. Of course, the best place to visit would be the Holy city, but alas, that is currently beyond my budgetary allowances…lol I find it said that we can’t have a discussion without name calling… a little sad, but lets try to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to be the change that we want to see. When we have the opportunity to take our families to some of these beautiful places, let’s educate our children on our history and the message of love. I’m especially excited about New Orleans, because I lived there for many years before I was Catholic and always admired the beautiful chapels and Cathedrals that are found there. God bless, my friends, and remember that you are loved and cherished!!!
thankyou so much for the beautiful list of churches so inspiring to realize the
sacrifices of past generations that we may behold and inherit the marvels of
the Catholic faith, every state and country has truly wonderful stories
of the seedlings and growth of Holy ~mother Church, of which each generation leaves and receives united the love of our Faith.
On holiday in England, reading your article, will return to Uruguay in november. Thankyou,