A common question that we receive regarding our renovations to the Cathedral of St. Bernard of Clairvaux is, “Why do we need a cathedral?”
Cathedrals serve many important purposes in a diocese. For one, a cathedral is the bishop’s “home parish,” housing his cathedra, the chair representing his authority in a diocese. It is where the important liturgies that he presides over, such as the Chrism Mass and ordinations, are celebrated. And since the bishop has a flock entrusted to his care, it only makes sense that they, too, have a central place, a mother church, to gather that represents their communion with him. Though other large parishes in the Madison area have graciously hosted important diocesan events after our first cathedral, St. Raphael’s, burned down in 2005, this was never meant to be a permanent answer to our cathedral question.
Cathedrals must be built within the city limits of a diocese’s namesake city. They have historically been built in the center of the city, serving as a visible and symbolic reminder of the centrality of God and of worship in the lives of the diocese’s Catholics.
Cathedrals also serve as hubs for culture and evangelization. Cathedral-hosted events such as sacred music concerts, art showings, and outreach efforts all point us to the beauty of our heavenly homeland and of our call to lead others there.
You can learn more about the Cathedral of St. Bernard of Clairvaux by visiting madisoncathedral.org.
