Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart — Attraction in Newark

When it comes to wedding rehearsals, there are two guys who are in charge. However, one of them is very rude. My mother got married 2 years ago and during the rehearsal, the older man got upset with our family saying that they’ve been here for years and that they should know English by now. This comment in particular triggered me the most. Why? Because the same thing can be said about him. He’s been here for years as well yet he can’t speak basic Spanish. A lot of Hispanics attend this church. He should at least know some Spanish too to better communicate with others, especially as someone in charged of wedding rehearsals. My aunt is getting married this year and we had rehearsal on Thursday. He gave us the same nasty attitude. He spent the whole time throwing shady comments. My great grandmother is part of the occasion and as we were practicing, he said “does she have any movement.” Mind you, my great grandmother does not have the age to move fast anymore. He’s an old man too who’s going to be in the same situation soon so for him to make that comment was very ignorant and disrespectful. He ruins the whole experience with his nasty attitude. It’s very upsetting. There should be people who at least speak both languages to make this whole process easier and quicker. It would be very considerate from the church if they chose people who can speak both languages to help with rehearsals. Even if someone has been here for years and doesn’t fully understand English, they shouldn’t be bashed, especially at a church. The guy is doing something that’s part of God in a very awful manner. He tried to justify his actions by saying “we want the wedding to be beautiful and perfect” so do we that’s why we attended rehearsal. He could’ve approached the whole situation in a better and positive way. If this is the type of people helping out with things that involve God then wow… very...

4/13/2021

When we were arriving Branch Brook Park for the Cherry Blossoms Festival, we passed thru this splendid Cathedral church. Since it’s right by a side of the park, why don’t we pay a visit to this church?

So we visited Essex County Cherry Blossom Center and enjoyed the cherry blossoms all along Branch Brook Park Drive by Branch Brook Lake. Then up to the bridge above the lake we kept going for about a quarter mile, then we came to the church.

I really admired the beautiful structure and all the details of the church building! Everything seemed so sacred and beautiful to me even though I am not catholic. I wanted to go inside to pay a visit but the doors were locked.

When I walked along the left side of the church to keep admiring the building, I saw some signs on the side doors about the public time. And bravo! It’s open to prayers from 7:00am to 7:00pm during weekdays, and 8:00am to 1:00 on Sundays, 8:00am to 7:00pm on Saturdays. But oops, this door’s locked, too!

Then I saw some people going inside another smaller door at the rear. So I decided to go there and see my luck. Haha, the door could be opened and it led to an office with staff inside. I asked if I could pay a visit to the interior, the answer was yes. All I needed to do was to sign in on the visitor log.

So I felt blessed to be able to see the interior of the church!

Once inside, I felt serenity and sacredness. And it’s breathtaking!!

After visiting, I asked the staff if I could make a small donation, she pointed an Offering box hanging on the wall right by the exit. So I was happy to make an offering just for letting me see the beautiful interior!

BTW, you can drive directly to the church and park...

This building is the fifth largest cathedral in North America, roughly the size of Westminster Abbey, stunningly beautiful, inside and out.

It is 365 feet long and 161 feet wide. The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. It is located at 89 Ridge Street in the Lower Broadway neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. We were there on a silent quiet day, got the street side parking. We had recently come from the Europe trip and after seeing this, we are like " this church can compete with any famous church in Europe" and it was in the backyard of our county and we were not aware of this.

The cavernous interior is very well maintained and is spotlessly clean. The architecture, the carved wood, the Chandeliers, the stained glass windows, the marble Carvings, the Statues, ornate Doors, and the 14 Mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross, were all so magnificent that it made our jaws drop. The Altar made of Italian Marble is stunning. It has the largest Pipe Organ which includes 9000 pipes, 54 stops, and is playable from two consoles.

Perfect and exact example of French Gothic architecture in the Western Hemisphere. The Cathedral Basilica is well...