St. Patrick's Church — Attraction in New Orleans

Every time I sit down to try to write a review, I end up with an essay too long for Google Maps.

Here’s the short of it:

I moved to New Orleans just over a year ago right after college, and have been coming to St. Patrick’s for about that long.

The community is very welcoming, but you might not necessarily know unless you snuck around the corner to the courtyard for coffee hour after mass, which I highly recommend sticking around for. There are usually donuts, occasionally jambalaya or pancakes, and every once in a while, a great feast in the beautiful rectory. My first Sunday here, one of the moms introduced herself, and got me connected with all sorts of other folks in my field.

There’s a great young adult scene. I met a handful of other guys in their mid-20s at a young adult event around Epiphany, and we now get together several times a week— have supper parties, go out together, pray with one another throughout the week. It was really cool to find that here.

There’s also a great intellectual scene. This last year we had an Aristotle study group that met twice a week— at the instructor’s house on Mondays to study metaphysics, and in the rectory on Wednesdays to study Nicomachean Ethics. Study groups will just organically come up too, often around papal encyclicals— there was one earlier this year for Casti Connubi, and I know a buddy’s getting one going for Rerum Novarum.

The clergy here are outstanding. I know Fr. O’Brien is very busy, but never too busy to make time for you, to answer a question, or just to visit.

And obviously, the liturgy is very beautiful-- in terms of both the ritual, and the music. All the services are that way, but especially the 9:15 Latin Mass. Really, the most beautiful I have ever experienced. And it’s a Solemn High Mass every Sunday, + sometimes on weekday evenings for feasts too. I think I know of one other Catholic parish in the country where that’s the case.

TLDR; 10/10 parish. I am so grateful for St. Patrick's. Visit, and go to coffee hour in the courtyard! (To the right of the...

TLM Traditional Latin Mass! At 9:15am Sunday!

What more needs to be said? They don't even have that at the main cathedral. Get there early! I almost didn't get a space at a pew. It was nearly full to capacity. It's all street parking unless I overlooked a lot.

Now the building itself is beautiful. Currently it's packed full of scaffolding and construction stuff. However you can still tell this place is gorgeous. I'm sure it will be when it's done at least.

If you had to pick between this place or St Louis cathedral, PICK THIS PLACE! Especially if you haven't experienced the TLM yet. If you are a Catholic, there is a real possibility that the TLM goes away permanently in your lifetime. Experience it now so you can tell your kids or grand kids what it was like one day.

Think about it, I go to the famous St Louis cathedral at 5pm on Saturday, maybe 50 people are in the room. They sing the new mass, it's good.

This place is basically a construction site at the moment. I'm surprised I didn't get a hard hat handed to me. They serve the TLM on a random Sunday at 9:15am, and this place is packed. Easily over 100+ people. Let it be Holy Week, you will be lucky to stand in the aisles and not be stuck kneeling in the...

We were walking around downtown NOLA and saw the church spires from the distance, and knew we had to pay a visit.

St. Patrick’s is absolutely stunning, both inside and outside. I don’t think anyone could argue how other-worldly beautiful stained glass is- and it decorated the side walls at intervals, casting a colorful glow on the aisles of seats.

Then, at the main atrium and stage is a large dome painted with various scenes and stained glass in the actual hollow of the dome, and you just feel like you’re walking in a holy place. That may sound cheesy but it’s the best way to describe it.

In each corner of the church there are also setups where you can donate and light a candle. So there are several rows of candles burning in each corner, and something about a small open flame just adds to the serene peacefulness and stateliness of the place.

We even were able to speak with a custodian working in the building when we came and he was so sweet and sincere. Such a cool visit.

If you see the church spires, here in New Orleans or elsewhere, follow my advice and...