St. Ignatius Cathedral — Attraction in Shanghai

I went here with my mother and father for a Sunday service. They were visiting me in China and are devout Christians. My mom particularly so. To be honest, while I grew up Christian, I had not been to a service in over 10 years. However, I have recently had more interest in rekindling my faith and thought going to church with my parents would be a good chance to do this. The service was what you would expect of a Catholic service. My mom was particularly moved. However, when we took communion I forgot the correct process. Honestly, looking back I am not sure if I should have been taking communion. The ”Christian” giving the communion became genuinely upset and tried to take the wafer back. This part I can accept I guess. I did something wrong. However, what I can’t accept is the man refused my mother, my beautiful 65 year old devote Christian mother named Christine, communion. It really broke her heart. When my father took communion the “Christian” asked him “what is the correct response” which my father knew cause my parents are really very Christian. My dad said he begrudgingly gave him the wafer. However, he would not give one to my mother even when she asked again.

Keep guarding the gateway to heaven St. Ignatius Church! I’m sure denying an old Christian woman communion is exactly what...

We have been to Shanghai 5 years ago and the church was in renovation. However, we went to the church on a Monday this time and it was closed! We can only see the full church exterior and enjoy the nice garden just in front of the entrance plaza. Flanking the plaza is a modern building, quite a calm minimalist style, as a library. Unfortunately it was also closed on Monday so we have no access to any of the buildings.

we also notice that there is an old building nearby as an observatory museum - a decently restored building - but also closed on Monday! its not shown on the Google map but it is there just round the corner of the church.

We enjoyed to wander around but would be better to get access to the buildings. Please plan ahead your trip if you come to visit...

We attended the 730 AM Sunday service which was in Chinese. We don't speak Chinese but you can easily follow the mass and they display the readings in English as well. They have an English mass at 12 pm. Visibility is quite difficult if you are on the side but they have plenty of TV screens and the sound system is good. I recommend to sit on the left side(facing the alter, opposite the choir). They have a very beautiful church, and there are a lot of volunteers who are very warm and helpful. As a Catholic,I am just grateful to attend mass here and good to see the faith...