About Basilica of St. Stephen (Good Shepherd Parish) · New Orleans, Louisiana
The Basilica of St. Stephen is an Uptown New Orleans Roman Catholic church located at 1025 Napoleon Avenue. Originally established in 1849 to serve a German immigrant community and long staffed by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission), it was raised to the status of a minor basilica by the Holy See in 2022 — only the second basilica in the Archdiocese of New Orleans after St. Louis Cathedral. It is the seat of Good Shepherd Parish, formed in 2008 by merging St. Stephen with St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel, and it operates St. Stephen School (founded 1852), one of the oldest continuously operating parish schools in the city.
- Established
- 1849
- Patron
- St. Stephen
- Rector
- Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Good Shepherd Parish offers the rare combination of a historic, architecturally significant minor basilica and the practical vitality of three merged Uptown congregations — St. Stephen, St. Henry, and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Parishioners can worship in a Gothic Revival landmark with a 200-foot spire, daily Masses including a Traditional Latin Mass on First Fridays, Eucharistic Adoration multiple times a week, and a charismatic Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel — while also benefiting from an active parish school (St. Stephen School, K–7, founded 1852), RCIA and religious education programs, Catholic Scripture Study, and outreach such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Giving Tree. Monsignor Nalty has described the congregation as a 'gumbo of New Orleans — rich, poor, Black, White, Hispanic, Vietnamese,' and the basilica is one of twelve official Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese, where the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence.
Mass times at Basilica of St. Stephen (Good Shepherd Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 pm at St. Stephen
- Sundays 9:30 – 10:15 am at St. Stephen
- Sundays 10:00 – 10:30 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel
- First Fridays 6:30 – 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 4:45 – 5:45 pm at St. Stephen
- Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 am at St. Henry
- First Fridays 8:00 – 9:00 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel
The Basilica of St. Stephen
St. Stephen became a minor basilica by papal decree dated May 12, 2022, joining St. Louis Cathedral (1964) as only the second basilica in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the third in Louisiana. The parish website explains that the designation — granted for reasons such as architectural beauty, historical significance, liturgical renown, or the presence of special relics or works of art — gives the church a special relationship with the Holy See. Monsignor Nalty commissioned new basilica insignia, including the ombrellino (umbrella), tintinnabulum (bell), and the tiara-and-keys Vatican symbol. A new basilica seal was being designed to incorporate a pelican, palm branches, an ode to the Vincentians, and a modified fleur-de-lis. Visitors to a minor basilica may obtain a plenary indulgence on certain days by participating in a sacred rite or reciting the Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith.
- Basilica decree signed May 12, 2022
- Second basilica in the Archdiocese of New Orleans (after St. Louis Cathedral)
- Third basilica in Louisiana (with Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Natchitoches)
- Official Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage site
Parish History
St. Stephen Parish was established in 1849 by Bishop Antoine Blanc, who entrusted it to the Vincentian Fathers to serve the large German settlement then in the separate municipality of Jefferson City. Mass was first said in parishioners' homes until a simple church was built in 1850. By the late 1850s the third pastor, Father Anthony Verrina, launched the fund-raising effort that produced the present Gothic Revival church, designed by architect Thomas W. Carter and built by Thomas O'Neil. Construction ran from the late 1860s through 1887; the first Mass was held on December 26, 1887, the Feast of St. Stephen, and the church was solemnly consecrated on January 1, 1888. The Vincentians ran St. Stephen until 2005 and sold the property to the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2009 for $1.6 million. In October 2008 Archbishop Alfred Hughes formed Good Shepherd Parish by merging St. Stephen with St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Parish boundaries now run from Seventh Street to Leontine Street and from Carondelet to the Mississippi River.
- Parish established 1849; church consecrated January 1, 1888
- Founded by Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission)
- Current parish formed in October 2008 from three merged parishes
- St. Henry (812 General Pershing) founded 1855 for German laboring-class families; brick church built 1925
- Our Lady of Good Counsel (1307 Louisiana Avenue) established February 16, 1887 by Archbishop Francis Xavier Leray; brick church dedicated January 21, 1894
Architecture & Major Restoration (2017–2018)
St. Stephen's Gothic Revival architecture shows the influence of Minden Cathedral in Germany and uses a hallenkirche floor plan in which the naves and aisles are of equal height. A large rose window sits at the rear of the building. The extensive stained-glass program was designed and manufactured by the Franz Mayer Company of Munich, Germany, and has been restored after Hurricane Katrina damage. The 200-foot spire — six- or 24-sided depending on the source — was designed by Favrot & Livaudais, built 1905–1906, and consists of a steel frame wrapped in terracotta tile with stained-glass windows. A pipe organ installed in 1939 is one of the oldest in New Orleans. A major restoration completed in 2017–2018 at a cost of approximately $6.9 million corrected chronic water leakage, improved lighting, and restored the original flooring without altering any architectural or historical features. As of 1979 the basilica was the second-largest church in New Orleans, exceeded only by St. Joseph Church; it seats about 2,000 and is listed as a historic landmark by the City of New Orleans.
- Architect: Thomas W. Carter; builder: Thomas O'Neil
- Franz Mayer stained glass from Munich, Germany
- Spire by Favrot & Livaudais, 1905–1906, 200+ feet
- 1939 pipe organ (one of the oldest in the city)
- $6.9 million restoration completed 2017–2018
Masses & Liturgy
The Good Shepherd Parish liturgical schedule covers three worship sites: St. Stephen, St. Henry, and Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC). Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 pm at St. Stephen, with Sunday Masses at 8:00 am and 10:30 am at St. Stephen and at 5:00 pm at OLGC. A charismatic Mass — the Center of Jesus the Lord — is celebrated on Sundays at 10:00 am at OLGC. Weekday Masses are at 6:30 am Monday through Friday at St. Henry, with a Tuesday evening Mass at 6:00 pm at St. Stephen. A Traditional Latin Mass is offered on First Fridays at 6:00 pm at St. Stephen as part of the First Friday Devotion in response to the promises made by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Two Notre Dame seminarians of the Community of Jesus Christ Crucified live in residence at the basilica and pray the Liturgy of the Hours in church daily.
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 pm at St. Stephen
- Sunday 8:00 am and 10:30 am at St. Stephen
- Sunday 10:00 am Charismatic Mass at OLGC; 5:00 pm at OLGC
- Weekday 6:30 am Mon–Fri at St. Henry; Tuesday 6:00 pm at St. Stephen
- First Friday Traditional Latin Mass 6:00 pm at St. Stephen
Sacraments
The parish describes the celebration of the seven sacraments as 'at the heart of Good Shepherd's parish life.' Baptisms are generally celebrated once a month during the 10:30 Sunday Mass, with a Baptismal Application available from the parish office. Couples are asked to contact the parish office a minimum of six months before their wedding; a downloadable Wedding Guide covers St. Stephen, St. Henry, and Our Lady of Good Counsel. First Eucharist, Confirmation (high-school juniors, $20 book fee), Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders are all supported with appropriate catechesis. Non-Catholics and Christians baptized in other traditions are invited into the RCIA process, with the Sacraments of Initiation typically received at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism — once a month during 10:30 Sunday Mass
- Marriage — minimum six months' notice; Wedding Guide available
- Confirmation — high-school juniors, contact parish office
- RCIA for unbaptized and baptized Christians seeking full communion
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Good Shepherd Parish runs a Parish School of Religion / C.C.D. program for children, using Catechismclass.com, with an annual fee of $45. Msgr. Nalty serves as Director of Religious Education (504-899-1378). The parish also offers Catholic Scripture Study — most recently a 28-week study of the Gospel of John at a cost of $40 — coordinated by Mr. Phillip Bellini (504-227-3795, [email protected]). RCIA classes meet in the parish rectory, with subject matter advertised in the bulletin and announced from the pulpit.
- PSR/C.C.D. for children — annual fee $45
- RCIA — held in parish rectory; no fee; all materials provided
- Confirmation program — for high-school juniors, $20 book fee
- Catholic Scripture Study — Gospel of John, 28 weeks, $40
St. Stephen School
St. Stephen School opened in 1852, making it one of the oldest continuously operating parish schools in New Orleans. Early in its history it was known as St. Vincent Academy and was staffed by the Daughters of Charity, the Christian Brothers of Mary, and lay teachers. A secondary school operated until 1965, when Hurricane Betsy damage was a contributing factor in its closure. As of 2022 the school educates students up to seventh grade. Monsignor Nalty has said, 'The thing I'm most proud of is my school, because for the last six years, every kid in that school has gone to a Catholic high school.' The school suffered significant damage during Hurricane Ida in August 2021. School phone: (504) 891-1927.
- Founded 1852; originally St. Vincent Academy
- Educates students K–7 (as of 2022)
- Staffed historically by Daughters of Charity and Christian Brothers of Mary
- Secondary school closed 1965 (Hurricane Betsy)
- School phone (504) 891-1927
Music & Live-Stream Ministry
Brian Morgan serves as Director of Music and Bulletin Editor. The 1939 pipe organ is one of the oldest in the city. The basilica has installed four state-of-the-art omni-directional video cameras capable of zooming and panning anywhere in the church, which are used both to live-stream Masses and to live-stream weddings to Facebook and/or YouTube. Dominic Fayard is the resident live-stream videographer, and an MP4 file is also provided to couples after their ceremony.
- 1939 pipe organ — one of the oldest in New Orleans
- Director of Music: Brian Morgan
- Four state-of-the-art cameras for live-streaming Masses and weddings
- Resident videographer: Dominic Fayard
Outreach: Christmas Giving Tree & St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul organizes the parish's annual Christmas Giving Tree, which provides Christmas gifts and food baskets to needy families in the neighborhood. In one recent year, twenty-four families with children received 220 Christmas gifts, with an additional 48 food baskets distributed — including 30 received from Sacred Heart. Monetary donations are used to supplement turkey or ham gift cards included with the food baskets.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter
- Christmas Giving Tree — 220 gifts and 48 food baskets in a recent year
- Parishioner organizing team: Ertha, Mary Ann, Gay, Laura
Clergy & Staff
Good Shepherd Parish is led by Pastor Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty ([email protected]), who spearheaded the multi-year effort to elevate St. Stephen to basilica status. Deacon Richard Eason assists in ministry. Arielle Nash serves as Business Manager ([email protected]), Ivy Rohr as Office Manager ([email protected]), and Brian Morgan as Director of Music and Bulletin Editor ([email protected]). Monsignor Nalty is also Director of Religious Education. Dominic Fayard is the resident live-stream videographer, and Mr. Phillip Bellini coordinates Catholic Scripture Study.
- Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Nalty — Pastor
- Deacon Richard Eason
- Arielle Nash — Business Manager
- Ivy Rohr — Office Manager
- Brian Morgan — Director of Music / Bulletin Editor
Visiting, Pilgrimage & Jubilee 2025
The Basilica of St. Stephen has been designated one of twelve official Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage sites by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, listed alongside the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France, the National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, the Shrine of the Vietnamese Holy Martyrs, the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, the Shrine of St. Jude, St. Joseph Shrine (Gretna), the National Shrine of St. Ann (Metairie), St. Joseph Abbey, St. Augustine Church, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. John the Baptist. Jubilee 2025 visiting hours are listed as from morning Mass to 6:00 pm. Pilgrims can obtain a plenary indulgence by devoutly visiting, participating in a sacred rite, or reciting the Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith.
- One of 12 official Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Visiting hours: from morning Mass to 6:00 pm
- Plenary indulgence available on certain days
- Monsignor Nalty's vision: open the basilica 24/7 and link it to a citywide Catholic pilgrim trail
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Anthony Verrinaby the late 1850s (third pastor)
Concluded that a larger church was needed and led the fund-raising effort that produced the present Gothic Revival building.
- Pastors of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers)1849 – 2005
The Vincentians ran St. Stephen continuously from its 1849 founding through 2005; they sold the property to the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2009 for $1.6 million.
- Very Rev. Msgr. Christopher H. Naltypresent pastor of Good Shepherd Parish
Led the 19-month nomination process that resulted in the Vatican decree of May 12, 2022 elevating St. Stephen to a minor basilica.
