BISHOP DONALD W. WUERL BEGINS
SAINT PAUL CATHEDRAL’S CENTENARY YEAR WITH OCTOBER 30 MASS

NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact William Hill in the Department for Communications at 412-456-3018 to arrange coverage and interviews.

PITTSBURGH – At the noon Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral on October 30, 2005, Bishop Donald W. Wuerl will begin a year of celebrations and activities culminating with the centennial of the Cathedral’s dedication in October 2006.

The Mass will also mark the conclusion of the diocesan celebration of the International Year of the Eucharist.

“Since 1906, the Cathedral has stood in the midst of our community as a sign of our continuity with the Apostolic faith and as a symbol of our unity with the Church Universal,” Bishop Wuerl said. “It was built on a foundation of faith by a generation of hard working, committed Catholics from whose legacy we have all benefited. The coming year will be an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate that legacy.”

About Saint Paul Cathedral

Every diocese has a Cathedral, which serves as the Mother Church for all of its parishes. 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 more than 800,000 Catholics, Saint Paul Cathedral enjoys a special place in the hearts of local Catholics as the visible center of their faith and unity.

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.

Today, Saint Paul Cathedral parish has over 1,700 families. 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. The Cathedral is the visible center of the spiritual life of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“Saint Paul Cathedral means so many things to many different people,” said Fr. Donald Breier, rector of the Cathedral and pastor of Saint Paul Cathedral parish. “It stands as the Mother Church, the symbol of unity within the diocese and within the Universal Church. It also stands as an architectural and historical gem, a tribute to its builders and supporters. It stands as an oasis of prayer and spirituality in the midst of our cultural, educational and medical community. And it stands as the place of gathering, in good times and bad times, for all people to bring their cares and their joys to the Lord. This Centenary Year embraces all of those aspects.”

The Centenary Year

Between the opening Mass at noon on October 30, 2005 and the Centennial Mass on October 24, 2006, Saint Paul Cathedral Parish is planning a series of events to celebrate its place in the community, including a concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on January 11, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.

In addition, the parish has invited parish choirs in the diocese to sing at the 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening Masses. The schedule will be announced as the choirs are booked.

Alongside the Cathedral’s celebrations, the parish will also undertake some much-needed restoration and renovation work.

The Cathedral plans to produce a book highlighting its history and architecture, which will be available in April 2007.

Tours of the Saint Paul Cathedral during the Centenary Year are available. Contact the Saint Paul Cathedral Parish office at (412) 621-4951.