Cathedral basilica is one of nine designated Jubilee Pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is no stranger to visitors, any day of the week.
But during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, cathedral basilica staff are hoping to welcome even more to the “Rome of the West.”
The cathedral basilica is one of nine Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in the archdiocese designated by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski for the Jubilee Year. The faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence — or remission of the temporal punishment due to sins — by visiting any of the nine sites for a pilgrimage or pious visit, in addition to the usual conditions for indulgence.
The cathedral basilica is open daily, and staff have already accommodated some requests for private Masses and tours from small groups seeking to make a Jubilee pilgrimage, rector Msgr. Henry Breier said.
“In my belief, we’re always a pilgrimage site, so our goal is to welcome pilgrims at any time,” he said.
The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1908, and the first Mass was celebrated in 1914. It was consecrated on June 29, 1926, the centennial of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, but wasn’t completed until 1988. The most recent addition to the basilica is the Sacred Heart of Jesus shrine in the west transept, consecrated by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke in 2007.
The cathedral was designated a basilica by St. John Paul II in 1997, who visited it just two years later. Basilicas are significant churches that are given special ecclesiastical privileges and are named because of their antiquity, dignity, historical value, architectural and artistic worth, and/or significance as centers of worship.
The cathedral’s mosaics — the largest collection in the world outside Russia, containing more than 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces — are enough to keep visitors looking up for hours, but don’t forget about the side chapels, statues and outdoor courtyard. Downstairs, the cathedral museum includes displays about the design and installation of the mosaics, the original Kilgen organ console, the throne used during the visit of St. John Paul II, a collection of historic vestments and precious objects, and the crypt with the remains of Archbishop May and Cardinals Glennon, Ritter and Carberry.
After attending Mass or sitting quietly in eucharistic adoration, take some time to stroll around and ask God to let you see the cathedral’s offerings through eyes of faith, Msgr. Breier advised.
“Walk the entire building, and the entire building will preach to you,” he said.
Visit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Hours: The cathedral basilica is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m Monday through Friday and 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Guided tours are available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. during the week, pending other scheduled events. Please contact the tour office at (314) 373-8241 for reservations and to confirm availability.
Mass Times: Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Saturday Daily Mass is at 8 a.m. Weekend Mass times are 5 p.m. Saturday (vigil), and 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.
All persons of faith are welcome to attend Mass. However, visitors who are not participating in Mass are asked to wait until Mass is completed before touring the cathedral basilica.
Confession: 7:30-8 a.m. Monday through Friday; 3:30-4:50 p.m. Saturday; 9-9:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m. Sunday. Reconciliation is also available by appointment; call the rectory at 314-373-8200.
Eucharistic Adoration: The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Adoration is also offered from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, ending with Evening Prayer and Benediction, and on First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., ending with Benediction.
Learn more about the cathedral basilica at cathedralstl.org.
This is the first in a series about the nine designated pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis during the Jubilee Year 2025. For more information on the Jubilee Year, visit archstl.org/2025jubileeyear.
>> Jubilee Indulgences
Options to receive a Jubilee indulgence:
Pilgrimage to a sacred Jubilee site, where the faithful participate in Mass, another liturgical service such as Morning or Evening Prayer, or acts of piety such as Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary or a penitential celebration.
Pious visit: Individually or in a group, devoutly visit a Jubilee site and engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the profession of faith from Mass, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those who are unable to take part in pilgrimages or pious visits for serious reasons, such as cloistered religious, the elderly, the sick and those who care for them, or the imprisoned, may obtain the indulgence by uniting themselves in spirit with those making pilgrimages or pious visits, reciting an Our Father, a profession of faith, and other prayers in harmony with the purpose of the Jubilee Year, and offering up their sufferings and hardships to the Lord.
Works of Mercy and Penance: This includes participation in formational activities on the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism, initiatives that put into practice the spirit of penance, and performance of corporal or spiritual works of mercy.
For the full details on Jubilee Indulgences, read the papal bull: stlreview.com/3POKFln
Usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:
• Be in a state of grace and have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin
• Sacramental confession (can be received several days before or after)
• Reception of holy Communion
• Prayer for the pope’s intentions
Help the souls in purgatory
The faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in purgatory, if they receive holy Communion a second time that day within Mass, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased.
Designated Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis | St. Louis
Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France | St. Louis
Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters | St. Louis
The Carmel of Saint Joseph | St. Louis
Saint Mary’s of the Barrens – National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal | Perryville
Monastery of Saint Clare | St. Louis
Passionist Nuns of St. Louis | Ellisville
Immaculate Heart of Mary | New Melle
Immaculate Conception | Union
