National Shrine

National Shrine of the Apostle Paul

The Cathedral of Saint Paul was designated as the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul by the Vatican and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on March 25, 2009, following a request by Archbishop John C. Nienstedt. Tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint Paul every year. Over the decades, the Cathedral developed as a catechism in stone and glass by evangelizing through grandeur and beauty. The patron is particularly honored through a series of bronze grills that depict major events in the life of Saint Paul from his conversion to his martyrdom.

Pope Benedict XVI on the Apostle Paul

"In the letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul gives a very personal profession of faith in which he opens his heart to readers of all times and reveals what was the most intimate drive of his life. “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). All Paul’s actions begin from this center. His faith is the experience of being loved by Jesus Christ in a very personal way.

Archconfraternity Prayer to the Apostle Paul

Saint Paul, Apostle of the nations
aided by your zealous example and inspired writings,
I desire to live only for Jesus.

Obtain for me the grace of an ongoing conversion of heart
that my thoughts, words, and actions
may be filled with Christ-like charity.

Help me to love God and neighbor with all my strength
and to patiently bear the crosses that come to me
as the necessary purification of my discipleship.

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