175th Anniversary – A Celebration of Faith in Action
Holy Name Cathedral
Our Vision:
A world in communion with Jesus Christ.
Our Mission:
Holy Name Cathedral, as a Catholic parish and the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago, forms a community of disciples who inspire, nurture, and join people on their faith journey to encounter and grow in Jesus Christ.
Highlights of Our Upcoming Anniversary Year
Starting on November 18, 2024, we are honoring our 175-year history with a yearlong celebration that connects the past, present and future. We welcome everyone to participate in our anniversary celebration throughout November 2024 – November 2025. Join us for our many events and programs, volunteer to help at any of the events, and we welcome donations to support the celebration year.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our planning committee at 175@holynamecathedral.org
You can download the 175th Anniversary brochure highlighting our key events coming up over the 2024/25 celebratory year. Click here
Here are some of the highlights of our celebratory year:
November 13, 2024: Mother Cabrini Statue Gift to Pope Francis in Rome
Holy Name Cathedral is donating a statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, identical to the one in HNC’s courtyard, to Pope Francis. The gift will honor the Pope’s work with immigrants and was generously funded by Dr. Carol Christensen. It will be located at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome and dedicated on her feast day, Nov. 13.
November 24, 2024: Opening Liturgy for the Anniversary Year
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Chicago’s Archbishop and our Pastor, will celebrate our opening liturgy to kick off our 175th anniversary events at the 12:30 p.m. Mass on Nov. 24, 2024.
January 5, 2025: Holy Name Cathedral Faith and Fitness Wellness Fair
Our popular series with Fr. Louis J. Cameli and Michele Sotak, which has explored the connection between spirituality and wellness, returns with a special edition for Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (Jan. 3) and timed to help with our fitness goals for the New Year. The Wellness Fair will include a panel discussion and exhibits from local companies focused on our physical and spiritual wellness.
March 2, 2025: “Damien,” a one-man play with Wayne Messmer
We will have a special presentation of “Damien,” a one-man play by Aldyth Morris starring Wayne Messmer as Father (Saint) Damien of Molokai. The play, featuring Messmer, the longtime Chicago sports figure, tells the story of St. Damien and his work with a leper colony in Molokai, Hawaii during the late 19th century. After the play, there will be a reception.
Spring 2025: Green Star Movement Mosaic in HNC’s Courtyard
Green Star Movement, a nonprofit that looks to inspire the community through the creation of public art, will be partnering with Holy Name Cathedral to design and produce a mosaic for our courtyard. Those interested are invited to get involved and contribute design themes and ideas this fall and then help with the creation and production of the mosaic during the winter. (No experience needed!). The mural will be dedicated in late Spring 2025.
June 8, 2025: “The Road to Emmaus”
An afternoon praise and celebration on Pentecost Sunday, the Road to Emmaus theme reflects the journey of Christians. At times, we may want to give up, but Christ and the Church are always there to walk with us and guide us back to Jerusalem. The program will feature Mass, multiple speakers, testimonial witnesses, the opportunity for Adoration and Confession and dinner, a bonfire and fellowship!
June 27, 2025: Sacred Heart of Jesus sculpture
We will have the unveiling of a special sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Chicago priest, Fr. Anthony J. Brankin. Donated by Dr. Christine Lawless, the sculpture will be located in the northwest corner of the Cathedral nave and be dedicated on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, June. 25.
September 21, 2025: International Rosary Dinner
The Cathedral Filipino Network will host a special international Rosary, featuring a variety of cultures participating in the Rosary — each decade will be prayed in a different language — followed by a dinner celebrating the cuisine of each of the cultures.
October 18, 2025: Annual Day of Service
Once a year, we gather as many people as possible from our Faith Community to serve our local community. This year, in honor of our 175th anniversary, we are expanding our outreach and inviting local, neighboring parishes and churches to participate in our daylong event.
Nov. 21, 2025: Closing Liturgy and Rector’s Banquet
Cardinal Blase Cupich will celebrate a Mass in honor of the closing of our 175th anniversary year. Afterward, we will celebrate the year with the Rector’s Closing Banquet. This Mass will take place at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, which is the 150th anniversary of the dedication of Holy Name as a Cathedral. To honor the Cathedral, we will invite many of the past Cathedral priests and bishops who have served the HNC community.
Light a Candle
Light a Prayer Candle at Holy Name Cathedral
Have one of our resident priests light a Cathedral candle with your prayer intention that will remain lit for one day.
Each week, your prayer intention will be placed on the Cathedral Altar for inclusion in a Private Mass offered by one of our priests.
Light a Prayer Candle Today!
Holy Name Cathedral
As a world-famous Cathedral, we welcome thousands of visitors every week from all over the planet, all over the United States, and all over Chicagoland. Stop by to join us for what we do best - praise God.
In the Holy Name of Jesus