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Catholic Cathedrals

Catholic Cathedrals

Of all the Catholic Cathedrals in the world, which one is your favorite and why?

Cathedrals Catholic

I haven't been to many cathedrals, but did have the opportunity to visit St Paul's in London. It was very majestic and breath-taking indeed. There was also another cathedral in the town that I stayed in (Winchester), and it too was very nice to visit.

Catholic Cathedrals Catholicism Studies

I was lucky enough to take the trip of a lifetime to some islands 200 miles out of Tahiti called The Marquesas Islands. The religion there is mostly Catholic. Two of the churches were real island cathedrals to me. The first was built of beautiful dark wood with outside walls that rose about 8 feet. Then there was a space of about 6 feet that was open with no wall or glass before the roof started. The roof overhang was several feet so the rain could not blow in. Since the temperature is always 80 degrees complete walls are not needed. This lets the island breeze blow through and the person inside can look outside at the palms with the birds, clouds, and volcanos in the background. The stations of the cross and many other things in the church were all beautifully carved wood. The ceiling was believe-it-or-not California redwood which rose from all four walls about 40 feet to a single large skylight in the center. When I entered the sun was shining directly on the Host and moved very little during the one hour service. And I have never heard such music. Each song was started by a solo high soprano voice, then after one phrase every voice joined her in four parts.

I didn't get to attend a service in the other church, but the building itself was impressive because it was built from the balast stones of sailing ships that picked up cargo there for hundreds of years. I though it was very inventive because all they have to work with is sand, lava rock, and palm trees.