About Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania. Located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 18th Street in Center City Philadelphia, the brownstone-and-copper-domed basilica was designed by Napoleon LeBrun in the Neo-Classical style modeled after Rome's San Carlo al Corso, with cornerstone laid in 1846 and the building dedicated in 1864. It was designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1976, has hosted papal Masses by John Paul II and Pope Francis, and houses the tomb and shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Reverend Gerald Dennis Gill (Rector)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Why belong here
The Cathedral Basilica offers the singular experience of worshipping in the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, with a Solemn Mass celebrated every Sunday morning and a Sung Latin Mass once a month from October to May. It is also a major pilgrimage site as the home of the tomb and shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel, with a perpetual novena offered every Thursday. The parish runs a vibrant Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, an active Hispanic apostolate with a weekly Spanish Mass, ministries to the sick and homebound, a Music Ministry with cantors, choirs and a Principal Organist, and welcoming programs for new parishioners — all in the heart of Center City next to Logan Square.
Mass times at Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 11:30 AM (Cathedral Basilica)
- Saturday: 4:15–5:00 PM (Cathedral Basilica)
- Sunday: 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM (Cathedral Basilica)
- Sunday: 12:00 PM in Spanish (Chapel)
- By appointment
History of the Cathedral Basilica
The Cathedral was the brainchild of Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick, who in 1846 issued a pastoral letter on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul calling for funds to build a 'common church of the whole diocese.' Construction was deliberately paced — no work was to begin without money in hand — and was slowed further by funding shortages, three changes in diocesan leadership, the Nativist riots of 1844 and the Civil War. The cornerstone was laid on 6 September 1846 before some 8,000 people; Napoleon LeBrun was the original architect; the building was completed under Bishop James Frederick Wood and dedicated on 20 November 1864; formally consecrated 29 June 1890; raised to minor basilica status in 1976. Major renovations were completed in 1914–15 under Archbishop Prendergast and in 1956–57 under Cardinal O'Hara, the latter adding the semi-circular apse.
Design and Architecture
LeBrun's design is Neo-Classical Italian Renaissance, modeled on Rome's San Carlo al Corso, with cruciform plan, Corinthian columns, barrel arches, triangular pediments, and a great copper dome. The brownstone from Connecticut and New Jersey makes it the largest brownstone structure in Philadelphia. Clerestory-only windows reflect both Neo-Classical taste and the practical concern over anti-Catholic violence; interior decoration is largely by Constantino Brumidi (also of the U.S. Capitol).
- Original architect: Napoleon LeBrun (1821–1901)
- Successor architects: John Notman (1851–1857), John Mahoney (c. 1857–1860), then LeBrun again to completion
- Style: Neo-Classical Italian Renaissance (after San Carlo al Corso, Rome)
- Materials: Connecticut and New Jersey brownstone; copper dome with green patina
- Interior decorator: Constantino Brumidi (Apotheosis of Washington)
- Stained glass by Charles Jay Connick of Boston
- Side altars (1887): Sacred Heart and Blessed Virgin Mary, with 1915 Venetian mosaics installed in 1918
The Sanctuary, Apse and Crypt
The 1956–57 renovation under Cardinal O'Hara added the semi-circular apse with ground-level stained-glass windows by Connick of Boston — the central Eucharistic window with Melchizedek, loaves and fishes, and the Last Supper, flanked by windows on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. The inscription behind the altar reads 'Tu es Petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam.' Six giant Imperial Green marble columns ring the curved apse wall. The crypt below holds the remains of most Philadelphia bishops and archbishops from Bishop Wood (d. 1882) onward.
Devotions and Novenas
Two devotional novenas anchor the parish week, plus seasonal solemnities and the monthly Latin Solemn Mass.
- Miraculous Medal Novena — Saturdays following the 12:05 PM Mass
- Perpetual Novena to Saint Katharine Drexel — Thursdays following the 7:15 AM and 12:05 PM Masses
- Sung Latin Propers and Ordinary of the Mass — third Sunday of the month (October–May)
- Special devotions around the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June), Christmas, Holy Week, and Marian feasts
Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel
The Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel was relocated to the Cathedral Basilica in 2017, with her sacred remains translated on 2 August 2018 and the new tomb solemnly installed 18 November 2018. The shrine is located immediately to the left of the main entrance and incorporates the original 19th-century marble altar donated by Katharine and her sisters Elizabeth and Louise as a memorial to their parents Francis and Emma Drexel — rededicated to St. Katharine in 2009. A Perpetual Novena is offered each Thursday.
- Tomb of Saint Katharine Drexel (left of main entrance)
- Original family altar rededicated 2009
- Perpetual Novena: Thursdays following 7:15 AM and 12:05 PM Masses
- Contact: [email protected]; (267) 603-7337
- Shrine hours: Sun 8 AM–7:30 PM; Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM; Sat 9 AM–6:30 PM
- Educational and devotional items available in the Cathedral Gift Shop
Faith Formation and Christian Initiation (RCIA)
The Cathedral Parish runs a robust Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program coordinated by Father Dennis Gill with catechists from the parish staff, Dominicans in residence, and lay leaders. The annual cycle moves through Inquiry (summer), the Catechumenate (autumn), the Period of Purification and Enlightenment (Lent) and Mystagogy (Easter), with the Rites of Election held at the Cathedral Basilica in February and Conferral of Confirmation at the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass on Pentecost and Easter Sunday. Catechetical sessions take place in the Neumann Room behind the Basilica.
- Coordinator: Father Dennis Gill, Rector
- Parochial Minister for (Unbaptized) Inquirers: Mary Ann Leigh
- Records: Sarah Contrucci
- Dismissal Catechists: Lauren Schartz
- Rite of Election held at the Cathedral Basilica in February
- Confirmation conferred at the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass on Pentecost and Easter Sunday
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at the Cathedral Parish, with weddings particularly distinctive due to the basilica's prestige and its in-house Music Department.
- Baptism — preparation required; conditional baptisms during RCIA in the Baptistery
- Confirmation — adults through RCIA; youth via parish Religious Education
- Eucharist — daily, Sunday and Holy Day Masses; Communion visits to the sick/homebound
- Penance and Reconciliation — regular schedule plus by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office; visits to hospitals and nursing homes
- Holy Orders — vocations discernment supported
- Holy Matrimony — minimum 6 months preparation; Fri 2 or 4 PM, Sat 11 AM/1 PM/3 PM; Basilica offering $2,500, Chapel offering $1,500, music fee $600
Music and Liturgy
The Music Ministry, under Director Charlene Angelini and Principal Organist Mark Loria, provides cantors, choirs and instrumentalists for every Sunday Mass and major feast, including the monthly Latin Solemn Mass. Liturgical musicians for weddings must come from the Cathedral Music Department — outside musicians are not permitted — and the parish maintains a roster of professional singers.
- Director of Cathedral Parish Music: Charlene Angelini
- Principal Organist: Mark Loria
- Cantor and choir programs
- Monthly sung Latin Propers and Ordinary (October–May)
- Handbell choir and instrumentalists at special liturgies
Parish Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
The parish invites parishioners to share their time, talent and treasure across a wide range of ministries, including a welcoming committee for new families, an ambassadors' program that staffs the basilica daily, and a Ministry to the Sick that brings Holy Communion to the homebound and those in nursing homes.
- Welcoming Committee
- Ambassadors (daily greeters and information ministry)
- Ministry to the Sick (Communion visits)
- Music Ministry (cantors, choir, instrumentalists)
- Parish Outreach (coordinated by Sr. Mary Raphael Paradis, RSM)
- Parish Evangelization (Sister Mary Luchia, PVMI)
- Religious Education (Gina Ingiosi, DRE)
- Cathedral Shop volunteers
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council
- Young Adult Bible Study and fellowship
Pastoral Council and Governance
The Parish Pastoral Council was formed on 16 May 1993 and updated on 22 November 2016 to align with Archdiocesan norms. It includes elected representatives across age, marital status and language groups, as well as ex officio clergy and staff, three appointed members, and members at large. A Parish Finance Council works in parallel; the two bodies are linked through designated representatives.
- Chairperson: Rev. Gerald Dennis Gill
- Vice-Chairperson: Daniel Heenan
- Secretary: Aaron Pisacane
- Ex officio members include the Rector, Parochial Vicar, Permanent Deacon, Parish Manager, Finance Director, and Parish Evangelization
- Council meets 5–6 times per year
- Mission statement revised 10 August 2021
Staff and Clergy
The Cathedral Parish is led by Rector and Pastor Reverend Gerald Dennis Gill, with parochial vicars from the Order of Preachers (a Dominican, Father Matthew P. Carroll, O.P.), a part-time parochial vicar responsible for Hispanic Ministry (Father Peter J. Welsh), priests in residence (Father Phillip G. Bochanski and Monsignor John M. Savinski), a permanent deacon (Deacon Jesús M. Burgos) and a transitional deacon (Rev. Mr. Chike Egbufoama). Pastoral management is led by Sister Marie Faustina, RSM, with finance by Andrea Guckin.
Visiting and Tours
The Cathedral Basilica is open daily, with guided tours after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and self-guided tour brochures available at the Cathedral Shop. On Federal Holidays only the side Chapel (Vine Street side) is open, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with confessions there at 11:30 AM Monday–Saturday.
- Hours: Sun 8 AM–7:30 PM; Mon–Fri 7 AM–5 PM; Sat 9 AM–6:30 PM
- Self-guided tour brochure PDF on cathedralphila.org
- Guided Sunday tour after 11:00 AM Mass (meet by Side Altar of Sacred Heart)
- Private and group tours: [email protected]
- Wheelchair accessible with automatic push-button doors
Papal and Historical Visits
Two popes have celebrated Mass at the Cathedral Basilica in modern times: Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Francis in September 2015 as part of the World Meeting of Families, with the Holy Father also celebrating Mass on the adjacent Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The cathedral also hosted the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in August 1976, the same year Pope Paul VI designated it a minor basilica.
- Pope John Paul II — papal Mass, 1979
- Pope Francis — Mass at the basilica and on the Parkway, September 2015 (World Meeting of Families)
- 41st International Eucharistic Congress — Philadelphia, 1–8 August 1976
- Designation as minor basilica — 9 September 1976 by Pope Paul VI
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis J. Clark
Priest and rector of the basilica; died 1918 (buried in the crypt).
 "Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul")