Cathedral of Saint Louis King of France, A Minor Basilica established
as a Parish in 1720 in New Orleans, Louisiana
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The
Saint Louis Cathedral Cathedral of Saint Louis King of France, A Minor Basilica established as a Parish in 1720 in New Orleans, Louisiana |
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Tour the Inside |
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The visitor, upon entering the Cathedral, is immediately struck by the dramatic effect of its numerous murals and symbolic decorations. Renaissance in style, baroque in execution, these paintings lend an air of elegance to the old building; they are decorative rather than devotional in treatment, a feeling that nearly every viewer senses.
On the chancel ceiling is painted the symbolical "Sacrifice of the Divine Lamb" and above the great altar is the ornate mural representing St. Louis, King of France, announcing the Seventh Crusade. Below this, on the cornice, is a band of lettering in Latin which, translated, reads: "My Blood is Drink Indeed; I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life," and "My Flesh is Food Indeed."
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On the ceiling of the nave nearest the sanctuary is a painting of the Nativity of Christ, showing the Infant in the manger, flanked by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph.
In the center of the ceiling
of the nave is the huge painting
showing the Saviour, surrounded
by the Apostles bestowing the
primacy on Peter, with the admonition
in French: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep."
Above are God the Father and the Holy Ghost and in the background is shown the cross of Calvary, around which are lambs symbolizing Christ's flock to be redeemed on the cross.
