WHERE WE WORSHIP
Cathedral dedicated 160 years ago
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor
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| The Most Rev. Francis DiLorenzo, bishop of Honolulu, conducts a Red Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. The resplendent ceremony, coinciding with the Legislature's opening, is an invocation for guidance for public servants.
Advertiser library photo • Jan. 21, 1999 |
Our denomination: Roman Catholic
Where we are: 1184 Bishop St.
Our numbers: Average weekend attendance is a total of 2,400 to 3,000 at seven Masses.
Our pastor: Bishop Francis DiLorenzo is pastor. The Rev. John Berger serves as church administrator.
What's special about us: Tucked between Century Square and Finance Factors, it's an oasis of calm in the middle of downtown, said Berger.
As the mother church of the Diocese of Honolulu, the cathedral contains the cathedra (Latin for chair), which symbolizes the teaching authority of the bishop. That's consistent with how, in Rome, the pope occupies the chair of Peter, Berger said.
What we believe: "The cathedral should always be regarded as the center of the liturgical life of the diocese," said Berger. "It should serve as a model for liturgy and worship."
Our history: On Aug. 16, the cathedral will commemorate 160 years since its dedication.
Interesting facts about the cathedral: One of its claims to fame is that it's the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States, said Berger.
"It was already an old church when Abraham Lincoln got shot," he said.
In 1864, the church was the site of the ordination to the priesthood of and the first Mass celebrated by
Father Damien, the Sacred Hearts priest who is now known as Blessed Damien of Moloka'i and is one step away from sainthood.
Berger says the name for the cathedral, Our Lady of Peace, was "prophetic."
"It serves as oasis in the middle of bustle downtown, where many people stop in for moment of silence, away from din of traffic," he said. "It's a place to catch their breath and thoughts.
It's also the site of the annual Red Mass, which coincides with the opening of the Legislature in January. Red Mass is attended by political dignitaries of all faiths.
What we're excited about: With the upcoming 160th anniversary of its dedication, the cathedral is planning a special noon Mass on Aug. 16 with the bishop presiding. The Mass will include a prayer of rededication to Our Lady of Peace. Pupu, music and inflatables for the keiki will greet churchgoers afterward at a potluck picnic on the Mall.
Contact: 536-7036 or www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com
If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, send e-mail to faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write to: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
