Cathedral celebrates 30th anniversary of re-dedication

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Thirty years ago, the interior of the Cathedral of the Madeleine underwent a restoration that reconfigured the sanctuary, altar and baptismal font, among other changes that remain visible today, as shown in this recent file photograph.

SALT LAKE CITY — Thirty years ago, the Diocese of Salt Lake City completed a restoration of the interior of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, an effort that closed the building for two years as the sanctuary, altar, baptismal font and confessionals were re-configured to meet the requirements of Vatican II. In addition, new Stations of the Cross were installed. The cost of the renovation was almost $10 million.

On Feb. 21 of this year, the cathedral celebrated the 30th anniversary of its rededication, undeterred by the historic snowstorm that began that night and dumped more than 11 inches of snow on city streets.  

In his comments at the event, Bishop Oscar A. Solis gave thanks to God “for his gift of a beautiful church,” which is “a beautiful and historic place of worship and the Mother Church of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.”

“The Cathedral of the Madeleine stands in the heart of the city for more than a century as sacrament of God’s living and loving presence and welcomes everyone as a child of God. Catholics and non-Catholics come not only to admire her architectural beauty, but to find a spiritual home,” he added. “Its doors remain open to serve our community and visitors as a beacon of hope, compassion and care for those in need especially the poor.”  

The anniversary was an opportunity to “express appreciation for the inspiring legacy of fidelity, strength and perseverance of the community of the past and of the present, that fills our heart with joy and pride. Without the extraordinary generosity of the Catholics complimented by the goodwill and support of donors from other faith affiliations, we will not be here celebrating and enjoying the beauty and magnificence of this house of worship,” the bishop said.

“However, we cannot claim credit for it,” he added. “It was not a product of human effort but of grace that built it and transformed the stones and mortars of this edifice into a living temple of God.”

But “simply recalling the past will not give justice in celebrating the anniversary of her rededication meaningfully,” he said. “Glorifying achievements is not an invitation to rest on our laurels, but provides us the inspiration to face the challenges and responsibilities to continue her rich legacy and guarantee the future of our Mother Church. ... With your prayers and generous support, may she remain a sacred space and a place of refuge in our spiritual journey, open to welcome anyone who seeks to encounter God in their life and experience a glimpse of heaven on earth.”   

In his homily at the morning Mass on Feb. 21, the Very Rev. Martin Diaz, the cathedral rector, said that the building is “set aside as a place where we are going to meet God in a special way.”

He noted the contributions of people throughout the years who made the cathedral as it is today.

Many immigrants came to Utah from all over the world, “and it was those Catholics over 100 years ago that had the vision of building this magnificent building,”  he said.

The original cathedral interior had white walls and green pillars. The second Bishop of Salt Lake City, the Right Rev. Joseph S. Glass, brought in artisans to create the colorful interior seen today, and the commitment of the people 30 years ago brought about the restoration, said Fr. Diaz, who also thanked Msgr. M. Francis Mannion, who oversaw the renovation; and the Most Rev. William K. Weigand, who was bishop at the time.

However, Pope Francis warns that “churches will become museums,” Fr. Diaz said, but “We are called not to be kind of docents of a museum, but we are called to be evangelizers,” he said. Through the transformation of the Eucharist, Catholics are changed, “so that our faith would shine out, our actions, our very being, would reflect the presence of Jesus. And so as we celebrate the dedication today, the building itself, to know that it’s nothing without us who are the Church. It’s nothing unless our faith is alive and active, and so this is again our opportunity … to be renewed and our dedication and our understanding of who Jesus is and to live that fully and deeply.”