06/09/2026
Tomorrow, our parish celebrates the Solemnity of the Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral. Do you know the unique history behind this solemnity?
The church that became the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine was built between 1793 and 1797, being inaugurated on December 8, 1797. It became a cathedral on October 23, 1870 when our first bishop, the Most Rev. Augustin Verot, took possession of the church as his cathedral. After a fire destroyed the roof and interior in 1887, the rebuild added the transepts as well as the bell tower. A major renovation took place in the mid- 1960s to celebrate the parish’s and City’s 400th Anniversary.
Then in 1976, Pope Saint Paul VI recognized the church’s history as America’s First Parish by elevating the Cathedral to the status of minor basilica. So that could occur, Bishop Paul Tanner dedicated the Cathedral on June 10, 1976- 50 years ago tomorrow. The 50th Anniversary of the Elevation of the Cathedral to a minor basilica will be celebrated on December 4th of this year.
While the main altar of the Cathedral is usually clothed in liturgical linens, the inscription beneath the cloth commemorates this dedication.
Bishop Paul Tanner chose the date of June 10, 1976 to dedicate the Cathedral because it was the 100th Anniversary of the Death of our first bishop- Most Rev. Augustin Verot.
During tomorrow’s solemnity- on the 150th Anniversary of Bishop Verot’s death, we remember and pray for Bishop Verot, Our Holy Father- Pope Leo XIV, the Diocese of St. Augustine, and the mother church of the diocese- our own Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine and all of our parishioners and benefactors.
Join us tomorrow night at 6:00pm for Mass to celebrate this special day! All are welcome.
