Hooray! It`s SUMMER!

stursula.com 412.486.6700
Summer 2016
Saint U News
Volume 4, Bonus Issue 3
Continuing the Mission
3937 Kirk Avenue + Allison Park + Pennsylvania + 15101
Hooray! It’s SUMMER!
Sunshine-IceCream-Travel-FUN!
Want to integrate a little Catholic education
into your vacation plans?
THIS SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE SAINT U NEWS focuses on places with special
meaning to Catholics in Pennsylvania, specifically cathedrals, basilicas, and shrines.
If you are traveling this summer, or any time of the year, consider visiting one of
these places along the way. Before identifying Catholic destinations in Pennsylvania,
a primer on the different types of places is provided below.
Cathedrals, Basilicas, and Shrines
A cathedral is the official church of the bishop of a diocese. It gets its name from cathedra,
Latin for “chair,” which is the symbol of the bishop’s leadership. The bishop presides at this chair when
he is present for cathedral services. St. Paul Cathedral, on Fifth Ave. in Oakland between Craig and Dithridge Sts,
is the “mother church of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.” Other Pennsylvania Roman Catholic cathedrals are located in Allentown,
Altoona, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Philadelphia, and Scranton.
St.Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA
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3
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Defining a basilica is a bit more complicated. Fundamentally, a basilica is an architectural
term for a certain style of building, and, as is often the case in Catholicism, the basilica comes
to us from the Romans. When the ancient Romans spoke of a basilica they were referring to a
large, high-ceilinged hall with three long aisles. The Romans used basilicas as courts, public
meeting areas, and even as indoor markets an early form of our shopping malls. In the fourth
century, after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, many bishops modeled their
churches and cathedrals on the Roman basilica, setting up the altar at the far end of the hall.
The term basilica comes from a Greek word meaning regal or kingly, in other words a cut
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above the rest. Over the centuries the Catholic Church has used basilica in this sense, with
the pope granting the title Minor Basilica to a church that has unusual historical significance,
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or is especially sacred because of the presence of a relic or relics. The designation Major Basilica is restricted to the four greatest churches in Rome – St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls. There are over
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1400 minor basilicas around the world, including the great church
9 at the grotto in Lourdes,
the Cathedral of St. 7Mark in Venice, the Shrine of Ste. Anne de Beaupré
10 in Quebec, and
the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Six (6) minor
basilicas are located in Pennsylvania.
Traditionally a shrine is a church that attracts pilgrims because it possesses an
important relic or a wonderworking sacred image. St. Anthony’s Chapel Shrine of Many
Relics is located on Harpster street in Pittsburgh, holds “the largest collection of relics in
the world for public viewing (outside of the Vatican).” The chapel has over 5,000 relics and
houses one of two known life-sized Stations of the Cross known to exist in the U.S. For
information on touring the chapel, visit the chapel’s website or call 412-999-4401.
© 2016 St. Ursula Parish Communications Committee
St Anthony’s Chapel Shrine of Many Relics
More Shrines in Pennsylvania
"We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather
than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him
whose martyrs they are."
~ St. Jerome
Saint Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica
1239 St. Ann Street, Scranton, PA 18504
Ph: 570-342-5166 www.stannsmonasterybasilica.org
Open 8:00 am to 8:00pm daily.
St. Ann is the mother of Blessed Mary, and grandmother
to Jesus. She is also the patron saint of grandparents.
Located approx. 235 miles fr Pittsburgh.
The National Shrine of St. John Neumann
1019 N Fifth St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Ph: 215-627-3080 [email protected]
St. John Neumann, a tireless preacher of the gospel to the most abandoned, especially
the poor. The Shrine strives to imitate his example, welcomes all who come to visit his
tomb, offers pilgrims space for prayer, worship, renewal, and reconciliation. Located at
the corner of N 5th St & Girard Ave in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood,
and accessible by car & public transportation.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
654 Ferry Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901 Ph: 215-345-0600 [email protected]
www.czestochowa.us The Shrine sits on 170 acres on Beacon Hill overlooking
Peace Valley in Doylestown, PA. In the lower church below the main church is a
replica of Our Lady’s Chapel at the Jana Gora Monastery in Czestochowa where
the original icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa resides. The replica of the icon of
Our Lady of Czestochowa, also known as “The Black Madonna” sits in a place of
honor in the Shrine Chapel.
Miraculous Medal Shrine & Museum
500 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Ph: 215-848-1010 Visit the website at
cammonline.org for Summer hours, directions, restaurants and accommodations info.
Learn about the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Laboure and
the origins of the Miraculous Medal at the Shrine. Museum contains Marian artwork
including over 500 pieces of Religious art. An appointment is required for the museum.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th St & Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Ph: 215-561-1313
Archdiocese of Philadelphia http://cathedralphila.org
National Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel (closing in 2017)
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020 Ph: 215-244-9900
St. Pauline Spirituality Center
1150 Chestnut St, Kulpmont, PA 17834 saintpauline.org
Relics of over 15 saints for veneration including several first class relics of St. Pauline, Padre
Pio, St. Maria Goretti, St. Peter & St. Paul. Miracles have been reported by pilgrims who
have come to the center & prayed for St. Pauline’s intercession.
Shrine of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
625 West Street Road, Warminster, PA 18974 Ph: 215-657-3101 [email protected]
Sources: (1) http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/cathedrals-basilicas-and-shrines.html, (2) http://www.thecatholictravelguide.com, (3) http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=13050, (4) Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh [Online] diopitt.org
© 2016 St. Ursula Parish Communications Committee