Saints' Relics in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Old St. Vincent Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
131 South Main Street
 
Their website is:

http://www.oldstvincents.org

 
This church has been restored.

Mass held every Sunday 10:00 AM

Museum And Tours

The Church is open for tours Saturdays from Noon until 4:00 P.M April through October. Tours are also available by appointment.

 
Alter








Relics of the apostles Peter and Andrew, St. Paul and St. Vincent de Paul.
The relics of these four great saints are enclosed in the large limestone altar stone that is supported horizontally by three foundation columns of bricks which pass through the floor to the earth below the church.  The relics have been sealed in the altar stone directly in front of the tabernacle since 1853.

The 12 small crosses on the walls of the church represent the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 apostles and the fact that Old St. Vincent is a consecrated church -- “a Most Holy Place.”  In 1853 when the church was consecrated, Archbishop Kenrick of St. Louis performed the extensive two-day ceremony which required, among other things, making three trips around the outside of the church and three trips around the inside walls of the church.  Most newly constructed Catholic church are simply blessed and not consecrated;