St Patrick’s Cathedral: a beacon of faith and hope

St Patrick’s Cathedral has long stood as a beacon of Christian faith and hope in the heart of Melbourne, a place where generations have gathered to worship, pray and seek God’s presence. In this Jubilee Year, the Cathedral takes on a special significance as a Pilgrim Place—a sacred space drawing those who, like St Patrick himself, set out in faith, trusting completely in God, even in uncertain times.

Mgr Stuart Hall, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, sees a deep connection between pilgrimage and the Cathedral’s story, a connection woven not only into the fabric of the building but into the lives of the people who have gathered there through the generations.

He points out that it was only when a young St Patrick was captured by raiders and taken from his home in England to a life of slavery in Ireland that he learnt to trust God. This deep trust and faith, forged in adversity, helped him to escape back to England and, in turn, inspired him to devote his life to serving the Irish people. ‘So he found himself in a difficult situation originally,’ Mgr Hall says, ‘and then he made good.’

That journey—from hardship to faith-filled mission—mirrors the experience of many of those whose vision helped to build St Patrick’s Cathedral, as well as those who continue to gather there today.

Generations of faithful builders

Since the laying of its foundation stone by Archbishop James Alpius Goold in 1850, St Patrick’s Cathedral has been shaped by the faith and humble dedication of Melbourne’s Catholics.

Mgr Hall points out that from Melbourne’s earliest days, its faithful have steadfastly trusted God through often tumultuous times. Many Irish settlers fled famine and poverty in their homeland only to face the considerable challenges of life in a new colony. The disruption and rapid population growth brought about by the gold rushes in the 1850 and 60s were followed by economic depression later in the century. The 20th century brought its own ups and downs, with world wars, another depression, sectarian struggles and new prosperity fuelled by postwar immigration. Yet, through all this, ‘people still felt a need to build something for the glory of God,’ he says. ‘In Melbourne, we’ve got the glory of God in St Patrick’s Cathedral.’

Perhaps one of the most moving features of the Cathedral, though easy to miss, are the small brass plaques that record the selfless financial contributions of clergy, religious, regional townspeople and Catholic workers’ associations—ordinary Catholics who came together over decades to help build the Cathedral. St Patrick’s is their legacy, a Mother Church for every ordinary Catholic, for the all the People of God.

Mgr Hall is quick to point out that this legacy is more than just bricks and mortar. ‘We hand on faith by living it and contributing towards not just the material fabric of the Cathedral, but by the very spirit, the embodiment, the soul of the Cathedral, by our presence as individuals and collective communities coming together. So that brings the Cathedral alive. The Cathedral is a dead thing without people, without the congregation. It’s the people that breathe life into it.’

A place of welcome and wonder

For many, the Cathedral is not just an architectural landmark but a place with significant personal connections. Mgr Hall recalls a recent encounter with a visitor who had come to remember his mother. ‘The Cathedral connection, that story of his life—his mother coming to the Cathedral, wanting to pray in the Cathedral—was a significant part of his life. Now, who knows if he goes to church every week, but the fact that he came into the Cathedral means the story has continued.’

Pilgrimage is not always about physical travel; sometimes it is a journey of memory, rediscovery or quiet seeking. As well as the regulars who come to the Cathedral, Mgr Hall says, ‘you’ve got those who are tourists, those who are visiting, bringing their friends to look at the magnificent structure and the beauty of the Cathedral. And they’re getting caught up in a sense of the sacred, a sense of holiness in their life.’

Noting that almost 350 candidates and catechumens recently participated in this year’s Rite of Election—the largest number in recent memory—Mgr Hall believes there is a growing hunger in our culture for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. He is excited about the possibilities this presents for the Cathedral’s mission.

‘We can tend to think that people come to faith by intellect and by experience,’ he says, ‘but also people come to faith by beauty. And I think in our society, we neglect the beauty side of it.’ The Cathedral’s structure and artwork, he says, can point people beyond themselves to something bigger. ‘Even just the light coming through the windows in the afternoon … resting on the main altar and then gradually going on to the high altar and then setting—it’s just beauty in silence.’

Highlights and hidden treasures

For those making a pilgrimage to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Mgr Hall highlights some of his favourite features, including the striking marble crucifix on the main altar, which he describes as ‘a beautiful artwork,’ and the often-overlooked baptistry, which is immediately on the left as you come through the front doors.

Mgr Hall recommends entering through the front doors to fully appreciate the Cathedral’s architecture. ‘You look and see what the architect is wanting you to focus on.’ A pilgrim entering St Patrick’s is immediately drawn to ‘the altar highlighted with lights, the crucifix, the Archbishop’s chair, the high altar behind it.’

Other treasures include the Stations of the Cross, which are somewhat hidden in the north transept but deeply moving, the burial sites of bishops beneath the side altars, and the beautiful chapels arranged behind the high altar, each with its own distinct character and aesthetic.

Jubilee celebrations at the Cathedral

As the Archdiocese’s ‘mother church’ and a local Pilgrim Place, the Cathedral is playing a central role in Jubilee celebrations. The Holy Father has allocated nearly every Sunday of the Jubilee Year to celebrating particular groups, and the Cathedral will dedicate many of its Sunday Masses to these celebrations. One of the most significant Jubilee activities will be the hosting of all confirmations in 2025 at St Patrick’s. ‘There’s something like 37 additional confirmations happening this year, so it’s a lot of activity and a lot of kids or adults being confirmed this year in the Cathedral.’ The annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession on 22 June also promises to be a highlight of the Cathedral’s Jubilee celebrations.

On St Patrick’s Day, the Cathedral will host a 5.30pm Mass followed by the annual Patrick Oration, delivered by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli. Later in the week, a special highlight will be the unveiling and blessing of a new icon of St Patrick. Created by iconographer Sue Orchison, it will be placed to the right of an existing icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Mgr Hall thinks ‘people will really be impressed and maybe overwhelmed with the beauty of the new icon of St Patrick.’

An invitation to pilgrims

For those planning a pilgrimage to St Patrick’s Cathedral during the Jubilee, Mgr Hall offers a simple but profound invitation: ‘Come with an open heart, expecting God to refresh and renew. Be open to the possibility of God’s grace entering into your life. And come prepared. It’s not about being a tourist. Spend quiet time, praying. That’s what it’s all about.’

In this Jubilee Year, the Cathedral stands as it always has: a place of beauty, prayer and pilgrimage, drawing people closer to God and sending them forth—just as St Patrick went forth—as beacons of light for others.