ARCHBISHOP DONALD W. WUERL OF WASHINGTON TO CELEBRATE SAINT PAUL CATHEDRAL’S CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY MASS ON OCTOBER 22

PITTSBURGH – A special 3:00 p.m. Mass will be held at Saint Paul Cathedral on Sunday, October 22, 2006, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral.

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington will celebrate the Centenary Mass, which will conclude a year of activities marking the anniversary of Saint Paul Cathedral.

Bishops from throughout the region will join Archbishop Wuerl in the celebration and will be welcomed by Bishop Paul J. Bradley, auxiliary bishop and Administrator of the Diocese of Pittsburgh since his election by the diocesan College of Consultors after Archbishop Wuerl’s installation in Washington in June.

Among those at the Cathedral celebration will be former Pittsburgh auxiliary bishop and bishop of Green Bay, Bishop David A. Zubik; former Pittsburgh auxiliary bishop and Bishop of Providence, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin; Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, OSB, Saint Vincent Archabbey; and Archbishop Basil M. Schott of the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Byzantine, as well as ecumenical, interfaith, political, judicial and civic leadership.

“Since its dedication on October 24, 1906, Saint Paul Cathedral has held a special place in the hearts of Catholics throughout the diocese,” Bishop Bradley said. “Every altar upon which we celebrate the Eucharist throughout our six-county diocese is, in a very real sense, an extension of the altar of Saint Paul Cathedral.

“At the same time,” Bishop Bradley explained, “Saint Paul Cathedral has been a gathering place for the wider community of Pittsburgh. It is where we have come together to mourn the deaths of many of our leaders and heroes, most recently the funeral Mass for Mayor Bob O’Connor, as well as to celebrate with great symphonic music and to be uplifted by the masterful architecture of this grand structure.”

Because Saint Paul Cathedral is also a parish church for 1,700 families, the October 22 Centenary Mass has reserved seating throughout the Cathedral. Seating will be available only to those with tickets. Non-ticketed persons will be seated in Synod Hall where the event will be broadcast by closed circuit television.

Christian Associates (Channel 95 in the City) will be carrying the Mass live on the Comcast cable system.

About Saint Paul Cathedral
Saint Paul Cathedral serves as the Mother Church for all of the parishes of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Though an active parish in its own right, the Cathedral is also the bishop’s church where he teaches and presides at worship. The name “cathedral” comes from the Latin word “cathedra,” which refers to the bishop’s chair.

The Mother Church for all 214 parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and nearly 800,000 Catholics, the present structure is the successor to two previous cathedrals, both of which were located at Fifth Avenue and Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh, where the Union Trust Building stands today.

The first Cathedral was consecrated in 1843 and was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1851. The second Saint Paul Cathedral was dedicated in 1855, but extensive excavation during construction of downtown streets damaged the Cathedral’s foundation.

In 1901, plans began for construction of the present Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland, which was dedicated on October 24, 1906.

Saint Paul Cathedral displays the talents of some of the most capable and talented artisans of the early twentieth century. Built in 14th-century Flemish Gothic style, Saint Paul Cathedral stands 247 feet high at the spires. The interior features devotional art made from some of the finest materials from all over the globe, including marble from Carrara, Italy, and Numidia.

The Cathedral’s 186 stained glass windows were manufactured in Munich, Germany and Birmingham, England, as well as the William C. Willet Company of Pittsburgh.

While it serves as a parish church, many major diocesan events take place in Saint Paul Cathedral. Each year, the Cathedral hosts ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate; hundreds of baptisms, weddings and funerals; and other large events such as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at the Easter Vigil Mass and Catholic high school graduations.

Father Donald Breier is the current rector of the Cathedral and pastor of Saint Paul Cathedral parish.

Renovation and Restoration
Along with the celebration of the centenary, Saint Paul Cathedral has undertaken much-needed restoration and renovation work this year, supported by a diocesan-wide capital improvement campaign.

“Through contributions from throughout the Cathedral parish, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the community as a whole, institutions and foundations,” Father Breier said, “we have been able to move forward in our interior restoration.

“This important work is not yet over. An addition to the Cathedral to provide greater accessibility and the restoration of the organ will continue into 2007. Our goal is to complete the campaign next year by raising all the funds necessary to bring this to a successful conclusion,” Father Breier said.

The Cathedral is producing a book highlighting its history and architecture, as well as the centennial celebration, which will be available next year.