St. Mary's Catholic Church — Attraction in San Antonio

The bells ... they could be cute, or quaint. They toll the hour, like a good church bell should, which is nice. But then you check your watch, and realize they are 7.5 minutes late.

"Oh that's odd," you think to yourself. "Maybe my watch is off." It's not off, my friend. You'll realize that in 30 minutes, when a little after 6:37 pm, you begin to hear them again. But this time, they play a song.

"Is that a hymn?" you think to yourself. It might be. Or it might be ... yes, it's America the Beautiful. How patriotic! But at 7:37pm, when after ringing the 19th hour, the bells begin their songs again, you hear the Air Force song. "What an odd song for a church to play ... at 7:37 pm," you think to yourself. Immediately after, another song plays. "Oh is it a religious holiday of some sort?" No, it isn't. It's a normal day. A Tuesday. And when you wander towards the church after the 4th song to see what they might be celebrating, you find that the doors and gates are all closed, and padlocked.

The songs continue. You're starting to chuckle, because it all feels a little crazy. Random songs on discordant bells, from an empty church. No-one asked for the concert. No-one stands by to appreciate it. It just goes on, ignored, piercing, and rude, like the drunk homeless man nearby, who is yelling dispassionately at no-one. And you feel the same way about the bells as you do about him; sympathetic, a little curious, wondering about what may be some kind of distress signal ... but mostly, once you realize the bells, and the man, don't care at all who is listening ... you just want the noise to stop.

Please, St. Mary's, please just reset your clock, and limit it to one unwanted...

I came to this church the morning after my 3yo son passed away in his sleep. His passing was completely unexpected. I was heartbroken and was hoping to find someone to talk to. I do not live in San Antonio; we were visiting family, and this church was by our hotel. I prayed for a while before seeking a priest. When I found one, he was so rude and basically shut the door in my face. I told him that my 3yo son died the day before and asked if I could talk to him. He told me to wait for mass and looked at me like I was just trash..not one ounce of compassion or anything. I went and sat in the church for an hour, waiting for mass. There were less than 20 people in the church. He must have walked by me 5 times and did not acknowledge me. My 7yo son and husband met me for mass but I just could not even sit through it. I have never been treated so terribly in my life. He was so dismissive, cold and cruel.

I am a lifelong catholic. I was married in the church & have been raising my sons in the church. I have not been to church since this happened. In a time of desperate need this church made me feel so much worse. I have debated saying anything, but I decided to speak up in hopes that this will never happen to another grieving parent. This was...

I was really moved by the sincerity,warmth,Christianity of the people and priest worshiping. Basically it is one of the most beautiful churches,i have ever visited. Reverence for Jesus and Mary, and a solid prayer aspect were seen by this observant. Incense,gently tipped at the nose evoking a "vatican like,' experience. The sacrament of Holy Communion was given in the modern style with participants lined up and the elements distributed by a couple of "lay people,". This means they are just like you and i with no formal religious training. But i wouldn't mind kneeling at the altar and holding my hands out, a comination of the modern practice of holding the hands out for acceptance of the eucharist, and the older more traditional pre Vatican 2 practice of going to the altar. But pre Vatican 2 they had the elements placed in their mouths and i wwould be, i guess fearful the element would fall and it sems more awkward for the priest. So hence a great combination of old and 'new.' Anyway, the congeniality surprised me. This is a downtown church. This is not a suburban church. Families with all ages children including teenagers would find a warm and safe, a welcoming church home i think, at St. Mary's....