Monday, August 15, 2016

Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Palm Beach, Florida

The Cathedral Parish of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Palm Beach was originally built in 1970 as a parish in the Archdiocese of Miami. In 1984 the Diocese of Palm Beach was created and the parish was selected to be the seat of the new bishop, Thomas Daily.

The architecture follows a modern and open style. From outside, the church is very unassuming.

Cathedral of St. Ignatius of Loyola

The roof

The patron saint

The church is divided into a daily Mass chapel and the main body of the church. A glass wall separates the two, making an odd combination. We first went into the chapel, which has a mixture of good and bad decorations.

Daily Mass chapel looking into the main church

A nice, simple altar

Great statue of Our Lady

Felt banners are not my favorite

I didn't really like this crucifix either

The entrance to the main church is the diocese's holy door for the Year of Mercy. The door has a picture of the door at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on it, well done enough to fool the eye from a distance. I liked it a lot.

Holy door looks like bronze plates from a distance

Detail of door

Explanation of the indulgence for walking through the Holy Door

Read more about the special indulgence attached to holy doors here.

The interior of the church is a typical 1970s auditorium-style--pews in a semi-circle sloping down to the altar in the middle.

Main aisle of the church

View from the glass wall by the daily Mass chapel

The  church has a lot of beautiful art in it.

Stained Glass window of St. Thomas the Apostle

More apostles--Matthew and Jude

Our Lady

First station of the cross

The baptismal font is impressive.

Baptismal font and pulpit

Since it is the cathedral for the diocese, it has a special spot for the holy oils used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.

Holy oils

The choir has a standing piano and a drum set(!) to the left of the main altar.

Choir area

Main altar

Outside is a small chapel to the Holy Family with nice Eastern stylings.

Altar to the Holy Family

Mosaic Madonna and Child

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