We attending Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham Alabama. Beautiful church in downtown Birmingham. We were struck by the beauty of the Cathedral, the reverence of the Celebrant priest and congregation. Many parishioners received our Eucharistic Lord by mouth and many on the knees (inspiring). We were surprised that a noon Mass on a Thursday would be so full, and include many young families. Honestly, for a workday/school day ‘obligation’ Mass to be so full was a pleasant surprise. Our old parish of 10,000 parishioners didn’t have this many people for a Sunday Mass, let alone a midday Holy Day Mass.
The Catholic faith is alive in Alabama!!
The first small church, built in 1872 was replaced by the current Cathedral in 1893. The Cathedral has had several renovations throughout the years to maintain and upgrade its beauty.
The Cathedral is a handsome example of the American variation on the neo-gothic style. Gothic architecture is philosophically Christian: in its determined verticality, the gothic structure pulls the eye to heaven and inspires the mind to lofty thoughts. The statues of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. John Vianney, and St. Paul (all near the sanctuary) and St. Anthony of Padua (immediately to the right, in the back, upon entering the nave), as well as the images of various saints in the stained glass windows, serve as reminders to Catholics of the communion of saints. Calling to mind our union with the countless heroic Christians who have gone before us and who act as intercessors before the throne of God.
