Tour of the Cathedral
Look below to find out more about the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The Icon
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary which emphasizes her unfailing eagerness to pray for the welfare of the human family, especially those who seek her intercession. The original icon is venerated today in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome.
Bishop's Chair
The Cathedral is the church in a diocese where the bishop's chair, the cathedra, is located. The bishop's coat of arms is over his chair, which is made of walnut. The left half of the shield present the diocesan coat of arms and the right half is the bishop's personal coat of arms. The bishop's motto proclaims his apostolic ministry.
Baptistry
Circular in shape, the baptistry is located near the main entrance to the Cathedral. It has many scriptural depictions in stained glass which symbolize the sacrament of Baptism.
St. Patrick's Altar
The mosaic above the altar depicts St. Patrick, the patron of the first Cathedral of the diocese. Also shown are the ship which carried him to Ireland, his bell, the Easter fire he lit in defiance of the Druids' pagan custom and a typical early Irish country church.
St. Joseph's Altar
A lifesize statue of the saint is surrounded by symbols of the four invocations from the Litany of St. Joseph.
Sacred Heart Chapel
This chapel to the north of the chancel is dedicated to Our Lord and contains the Cathedral's tabernacle. The windows include portions of the Litany of the Sacred Heart. The chapel continunes to be a place where a number of people come daily for personal devotional prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.