Saint Cecilia Cathedral

St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N 40th St, Omaha, Nebraska, Združene države Amerike

Website of the Sanctuary

+1 402 551 2313

Every day: 6:30 am - 6:30 pm

The majesty of Saint Cecilia Cathedral has been appreciated for many decades. Firmly crowing a high ridge west of downtown Omaha, the monumental structure catches the first light of sunrise; its facade and west towers reflect the gorgeous sunset. See more Catholic Shrines and pilgrimages in North America.

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Main Facade of the Saint Cecilia Cathedral

The huge bronze doors of the triple portal are framed in a Tuscan order with paired columns. The vertical elements of this classic base are carried upward to the three arched windows in contrasting rusticated pilasters, which recalls in design, the delicate craftsmanship of fine silversmiths.

The great bronze doors were cast from original designs of the architect. Thomas Kimball. The casting of the doors was done in Boston, Massachusetts. They are marked by an absence of low relief work often found in bronze doors, and by the grill work above, really a part of the design of the doors.

The Altar Area

The oblique vaults are painted in Iberian colors of terra cotta, yellow ocher, and blue and highlighted by gold leaf rosettes. The warm red reflects the Spanish Rojo Alicante marble of the apse wall.

Since earliest times, a dome has symbolized the overarching sky, and here, at its apex, a gold-and-silver-leafed sunburst represents the all-encompassing providence of God.

The Crucifix

The apse is a dramatic visual culmination of an interior unified by color and tone. Upon entering the west doors opposite the altar and looking along the 130-foot nave, on is enveloped in a sense both glorious and serene.

The sight lines compel one’s whole attention to the high altar in white Carrara marble with its bronze crucifix, just as Christ’s life led inexorably to the events of his Passion. Christ, head raised, is portrayed at the moment of heroic intercession: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

The Altar Area

The oblique vaults are painted in Iberian colors of terra cotta, yellow ocher, and blue and highlighted by gold leaf rosettes. The warm red reflects the Spanish Rojo Alicante marble of the apse wall. Since earliest times, a dome has symbolized the overarching sky, and here, at its apex, a gold-and-silver-leafed sunburst represents the all-encompassing providence of God.

The Crucifix

The apse is a dramatic visual culmination of an interior unified by color and tone. Upon entering the west doors opposite the altar and looking along the 130-foot nave, on is enveloped in a sense both glorious and serene. The sight lines compel one’s whole attention to the high altar in white Carrara marble with its bronze crucifix, just as Christ’s life led inexorably to the events of his Passion. Christ, head raised, is portrayed at the moment of heroic intercession: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The story is told of Albin Polasek that one day as he was carving the “Christus” inspiration failed when he was working on the face. He was unable to produce the intelligence, the tenderness, and the triumph he wanted to portray. So he prayed for inspiration! Later that same day a stranger, from Polasek’s native Bohemia, called upon him, seeking work as a carpenter. The carpenter was invited in; and, as they talked, Polasek became fascinated by the stranger’s face. So fascinated in fact, he began to carve on the Christ head as they visited.

As Polasek worked feverishly, he described to the carpenter some shelving he needed to have built, and arranged for the carpenter to return the next day to do the work. The visit and the stranger have always remained a mystery, for the carpenter did not return the next day, and Polasek never again set eyes upon the man. But the “Christus” was finished.

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Saint Cecilia Cathedral

The majesty of Saint Cecilia Cathedral has been appreciated for many decades. Firmly crowing a high ridge west of downtown Omaha, the monumental structure catches the first light of sunrise; its facade and west towers reflect the gorgeous sunset. From miles away, in all directions, its silhouette catches the eye and its towers pierce the vast prairie sky. For many years, many people, whatever their religion, have acknowledged this as Omaha’s uniquely noble landmark.

We must appreciate the efforts of the pioneers who built towns and productive farms and businesses on the great prairies. We must place ourselves among the immigrants who labored so strenuously to establish families and homes in an environment so different than what they had known, an environment physically and sometimes socially hostile. We must record the efforts of many individuals, most but not all communicants of the Catholic Church in Nebraska. Some of the individuals had wealth, but not most of them. Some had power or fame, but not many. Some had amazing intelligence, talent, and ambition, but no one alone could have produced the achievement that is Saint Cecilia Cathedral; this was the achievement of the People of God.

Our Cathedral builders, whether from a century ago or in the beginning years of a new millennium, have succeeded humbly, and yet with pride, in making the great mass of stone high on an Omaha ridge, a tangible proclamation that Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour is here present to all. The great towers do not intimidate, the splendid walls and gem-like windows do not boast with worldly conceit; they shine in silence, and then when the mighty bells ring out, the edifice sings: “You share in the love and the glory of God.”

In the words of Psalm 84: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts.”

~ Thomas A. Kuhlman, Phd.D, The Beauty of Thy House, 2005

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Posted in North America and United States