The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception — Local services in Peoria

We came to visit the tomb of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, which is open weekdays from 12-2 (hours and details through the cathedral website). We were happily surprised to find that the side chapel with the tomb is connected to the main cathedral building so you can look around the whole thing when you visit. We were greeted outside the side chapel by a friendly and helpful volunteer who gave us a booklet with lots of information about the symbols, statues, and stained glass windows in the building. (We had our five kids with us so we didn't get to read everything while we were there but we took some pictures so we can read some later since we could keep the booklet. It would be such a lovely prayer time to go through and reflect on everything in the cathedral along with the information book.) We also received a nice pilgrim packet with information and a rosary.

There are prayer candles around at various saint statues. ($2 each, cash)

There is a relic of Saint Theresa of Calcutta (a strand of hair)

We did not attend a Mass there so we can't comment about that, but as for a pilgrimage to Fulton Sheen's tomb, this is definitely worth the trip. It is beautiful, and a great place to pray. Highly...

A very beautiful church ok the outside, but I never go to go in. It was only 5pm and I drove from Kansas to come pray in the church that Ven. Fulton Sheen went to as a kid. Unfortunately, all the doors were locked. I went to the office to ask if I could just pray in the church. First they just yelled "Closed!" when I buzzed in. After explaining myself, they said "Go to the back entrance". I tried all of the doors around the whole church that weren't gated off, but still couldn't get in. After 30minutes in cold, I gave up and left. I'm a very practicing Catholic, so I'm not very put off by the lack of hospitality, only the inconvenience. However, I'm worried if someone else who is just about to have a conversion experience misses out just because they came in...

My brother and I drove to see my niece who is at an OSF rehab hospital in Peoria, Illinois. We drove a couple miles away to check out the overnight visitors accommodations and as we were returning to the hospital I saw these huge gothic steeples towering like skyscrapers into the clouds. Honestly, they looked so huge and surreal like something you would see someplace in Europe. I had to see what those beautiful structures were attached to. The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception does not disappoint! I would venture to say it is the most, or in the top 5 most beautiful Catholic Churches in North America! I will be returning there tomorrow and...