Feast of St. Stephen Mass

Monday, December 26, 2024 at 6 PM
175th Anniversary

Please join us for Mass on the Feast of St. Stephen, Protomartyr on December 26, 2024 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of our parish. The Mass will also be the celebration of the Permanent Diaconate, so many of our permanent deacons will be present with their families.

Saint Stephen Parish was erected in 1849 by Bishop Antoine Blanc, who invited the Vincentians (Congregation of the Mission) to administer the parish. After outgrowing the original small church built in 1851, the parish made plans to erect a new church on a design worthy of its present needs and of the future prospects of the parish. On November 21, 1871, the cornerstone of this church was laid by Archbishop Napoléon-Joseph Perché. Construction was delayed by the Financial Panic of 1873, but resumed in 1878, and the first Mass was said in the church on December 26, 1887. The church was solemnly dedicated on January 1, 1888.

We will have copies available of the edited application to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments which resulted in our church receiving the title of minor basilica. The book will cost $25.00.