The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament

Lis Luwia October 24, 2019
Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Alabama, Mother Angelica

Located in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, the The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament hosts a unique pilgrimage experience and a history with Mother Angelica.

The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama
Hanceville, Alabama: The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament

Mother Angelica, a sister in the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (PCPA) had a hand in building this beautiful shrine (which you can read more about here). The Poor Clares still reside at this shrine and keep Perpetual Adoration going!

The prayerful environment at the shrine is an idyllic location for your next pilgrimage!

To see details about the John Paul II Eucharistic Center tours and more info, see the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament’s website.

Find Catholic events in the Diocese of Birmingham!

A Hidden Catholic Gem in a Jakarta Indonesia Cathedral You Probably Haven’t Heard About

Lis Luwia July 28, 2019

On a recent trip to Indonesia, I had to visit the Catholic Cathedral in Jakarta. I’ve visited countless Catholic churches and cathedrals throughout the US, many in Europe, and a handful in Asia. I love seeing the beauty and differences (and similarities!) between the churches in different areas.

Gereja Kathedral, the Catholic cathedral in Jakarta, Indonesia, was no different. Here are some images of the trip with a hidden, beautiful Catholic gem that you might overlook if you visit without reading this first!

Gereja Kathedral (also known as St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral) is a Neo-Gothic church which has twin ornamental towers, constructed of steel. The interior of the church has beautiful stained glass depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38694537

A statue of Our Lady of Indoneisa, a lifelike statue of Pieta, and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration are also present in the church.

Side view of the Cathedral

The outside of the Cathedral is also beautiful!

cathedral courtyard

A lovely grotto is just outside the church where our surprise relic is found.

The grotto in the courtyard of the cathedral

And, lastly, here is the beautiful, VERY hidden gem: a rock from the actual grotto location where Our Lady of Lourdes appeared! Amazing!

A rock from where Our Lady of Lourdes appeared!

If you find yourself in Jakarta, be sure to check out this beautiful cathedral. Parking is free and easy and all denominations are welcome to tour it.

3 Shrines in the USA with the Most Catholic Relics

Lis Luwia July 9, 2019

If you’re traveling through the USA or looking for a place to pilgrimage to in the US that has a lot of your favorite saint relics, this is the place for you! But, first, let’s sign into what exactly classifies as a relic.

There are 3 types of relics:

  • First-class Relics: a part of a saint’s body (like fingernails or fragments of a bone)
  • Second-class Relics: an item used by a saint (like a shoe)
  • Third-class Relics: an object touched to a first-class relic (my daughter’s rosary that was touched to a vial of Saint Pope John Paul II’s blood)
Source

The Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics

The Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics contains 1,100 relics in 970 reliquaries representing 900 saints. 95% of the relics are first-class. The collection continues to grow since they receive new relics from the Vatican regularly. It is located in the Diocese of Cincinnati.

Some relics that can be found here include:

  • Relic of the True Cross
  • St. Peregrine
  • St. Stephen
  • Padre Pio
  • St. Teresa of Avila
  • St. Ursula and Companions
  • St. Victoria
  • St. Anthony of Padua
  • St. Anne, mother of May

Request a tour

Source

St. John Cantius Church

Located in the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. John Cantius is home to about 1800 relics.

One very interesting facet of the collection of relics at St. John Cantius Church is the relics of the saints from the Lenten Station Churches of Rome. In the fourth century, pilgrims could journey to Rome and visit churches honoring various saints.

St. John Cantius is known for its celebration of the traditional liturgy and the Station Churches which are listed each day of Lent in the traditional missal.

Visit St. John Cantius

Source

St. Anthony’s Chapel

St. Anthony’s Chapel can be found in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and it boasts of having over 5,000 relics.

Included in this chapel are these relics:

  • A splinter of the True Cross
  • A thorn from the Crown of Thorns
  • A piece of the stone from the Holy Sepulchre
  • St. Demetrius
  • St. John the Baptist
  • St. Mary Magdalene
  • St. Blase
  • St. Stephen
  • St. Anthony of Padua
  • St. Celcilia
  • St. Agnes

Plan a pilgrimage

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The Next Big Thing for Catholics

Lis Luwia April 14, 2019

Find the next great thing for Catholics in the USA: it’s the chance to bring the communion of saints into a stronger community, to strengthen your faith, and to find Jesus in the events and activities you’re participating in.

You’ve already started searching for fun things to do on your annual Summer vacation this year. Maybe you’ll try scuba diving or visit your cousin on a cross country road trip.

And maybe you’ll visit that shrine you’ve never heard of before that will rock your world and deepen your relationship with Christ.

Or attend that Catholic conference that shakes your core and shows you exactly what you’ve been missing in life.

Or meet a tribe of friends at your church who get you and lift you up.

It sure sounds like your Summer is filling up!

And why shouldn’t your vacation have some awesome Catholic events and activities sprinkled in? We are a catholic people so when we’re vacationing, we shouldn’t just discard our faith. We should experience Catholicism universally!

But you’re probably looking at those last few activity ideas and shaking your head, “How am I going to find out about a shrine I’ve never heard or or find that faithful group of friends?”

It’s the Next Big Thing for Catholics. It’s the answer of a call for New Evangelization that is working through our own dioceses. It’s DioceseEvents.com. Growing quickly and always adding more events, Catholic landmarks, and activities, Diocese Events is the place to go to find Catholic events throughout the USA.

While it’s still expanding and building, get your name on their email list for your diocese and be sure that you’re kept in the loop. Keep your life Catholic and keep your experiences faithful this Summer!

JMJ

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Lis Luwia April 8, 2018
Sacred Heart Cathedral Davenport, IA

Overlooking the Mississippi River, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa, this Gothic-style church was completed in 1891. The chapel is dedicated to St. Margaret and Eucharistic Adoration chapel hours are

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 6-10 pm

Wednesday & Friday, 5 am-10 pm

Sunday, 4-10 pm
There is a statue of Our Lady of LaVang and the church has a vibrant Vietnamese community.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Davenport, IA
Have you been here? What would you like others visiting to see here? Respond in comments!

St. Ambrose Cathedral

Lis Luwia April 8, 2018
St Ambrose Cathedral Des Moines, IA

If you are near or driving through Des Moines, Iowa, consider stopping at St. Ambrose Cathedral. It is the first Catholic church established in Des Moines (back when the capital of Iowa was changed from Iowa City to Des Moines) and technically started in 1851.

The Our Lady’s Chapel is peaceful and unique due to the ceiling. The ceiling has painted Mary’s prayer and the chapel is dedicated to Our Lady Statue of St. Anne.

See details on their website.

St Ambrose Cathedral Des Moines, IA

Have you been here? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier

Lis Luwia April 7, 2018
Basilica of St. Francis Xavier Dyersville, IA

The Basilica of St. Francis Xavier is a beautiful basilica surrounded by cornfields in Dyersville, Iowa. Architecturally, the basilica is medieval Gothic-style with twin 212-foot spires. It has 64 stained glass windows, 10 of which contain pictures of Jesus and the saints.

If you are in the area or driving through, consider stopping at this beautiful location for contemplation and prayer.

The basilica is open daily from 7 am- 8 pm. More details here.

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier Dyersville, IA

Have you been here? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Dickeyville Grotto

Lis Luwia April 7, 2018
Dickeyville WI Catholic grotto

If you’ve ever traveled on the US Highway 151, you might have seen a billboard sign advertising the Dickeyville Catholic Grotto. Let us fill you in on the details and explain why it’s a quick and perfect stop for your family!

Dedicated to the love of God and country, this grotto has beautiful grottos and statues dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, a patriotic shrine, Fatima, the Holy Eucharist, and Stations of the Cross.

Each grotto and shrine was slowly built by the church’s (next door) priest in 1925-1930. It is created out of tiny shells, colored glass, broken artifacts, and pebbles. This grotto is a delight for children to examine as their eyes find new and creative items used to construct it.

It is open 7 am- 4pm during Summer months and 7 am- 4pm on the weekends starting in September. See details and gift shop hours here.

The Dickeyville Grotto is also only 12 miles away from the historic Cathedral of Saint Raphael.

Dickeyville WI Catholic grotto

Have you been here? Comment below with your experience!

Cathedral of Saint Raphael

Lis Luwia April 7, 2018
Cathedral of Saint Raphael Iowa

If you haven’t visited the old Cathedral of Saint Raphael in Dubuque, Iowa, then you haven’t been to the oldest congregation of any Christian domination in Iowa. Established in 1833 by Catholic missionaries, it is now located next to the current Cathedral of Saint Raphael which was dedicated in 1861.

The Cathedral houses many relics in the Corridor of Saints behind the Statue of Saint Joseph. Some relics found there include:

  • Relic from an Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane, site of Our Lord’s prayer prior to the crucifixion
  • Ex Praese DN (from birthplace of Our Lord)
    • St. Francis of Assisi
      • St. Ignatius of Loyola

      • St. Augustine

        among many others listed here. Tours can be scheduled and when the Cathedral is open to the public (as well as Mass times) can be found here.

        The Cathedral of Saint Raphael is also only 12 miles away from the Dickeyville Grotto.

        Cathedral of Saint Raphael Iowa

        Have you been here? Comment below with your experience!