Three New Orleans churches for pilgrimage this October
October softens New Orleans with cool(er) mornings and light breezes coming from the river. You may even start to hear schoolchildren exclaiming, "It's freeeeezing!" at breakfast when temperatures fall below 90. On the liturgical calendar, October bursts with beloved saints’ feasts. This year it also marks a special Jubilee Year. These three local churches offer well-timed opportunities for October stillgrimage and pilgrimage in the Big Easy.
How to make a stillgrimage
What's a stillgrimage? It's our favorite practice of making a pilgrimage close to home—like "staycation," but make it sacred! All of these stillgrimage sites pair perfectly with other New Orleans fun and culture nearby. Here are three New Orleans churches to visit this October, plus when to time your visit and why you should go.
St Francis of Assisi
When to go
October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (also a Sunday this year)
Why you should go
This year, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Jubilee Year of St Francis (it runs through January 10, 2027) to mark the 800th anniversary of St Francis’ death. During the Jubilee, pilgrims to places dedicated to St Francis may receive special graces like plenary indulgence. This historic Uptown church is the only one in New Orleans named for the Poverello. The parish dates to 1890, with the current French Gothic church completed in 1921. On St Francis’ October 4 feast day, Archbishop Checchio will celebrate the 9:30 AM Mass. The parish has also scheduled a pilgrimage day on October 30 including Confession, Mass, and church tours.
How to get there
With October marking “let’s go outside again” season, you can pair your visit with a walk around Audubon Park or lunch and shopping on Magazine Street. 631 State Street, New Orleans
National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos/ St Mary’s Assumption
When to go
October 5, the Feast of Bl Seelos
Why you should go
In 1866, Redemptorist priest Fr Francis Xavier Seelos came to New Orleans to serve the large German immigrant population. He had been born in Germany himself, immigrating to the United States as a missionary in 1843. Fr Seelos spent most of his ministry in major northern cities before sailing south. Here, he quickly displayed a deep gift for pastoral care. At Mass on Sundays, he’d warmly invite the congregation to Confession.
Fr Seelos served the city during one of its worst yellow fever outbreaks and quickly contracted the illness himself. He died in 1867 and was buried inside St Mary’s Assumption Church. After his death, as accounts of healings and conversions through his intercession began pouring in, his grave was moved to a dedicated shrine in the rear of the church. Later, a museum with artifacts of his life was added to the property.
The church is a National Historic Landmark, a rare and elaborate example of German Baroque Revival architecture. Along with Blessed Seelos's remains, his original lead coffin, and artifacts from his life, the shrine also holds 200 relics of other saints. Volunteers also staff the shrine to administer prayer and veneration with a first class relic contained in a cross owned by Seelos.
How to get there
The church stands in the Irish Channel, one block off Magazine Street. Could you think of a more perfect October day than a saint’s feast day Mass followed by a celebration lunch on Magazine? 919 Josephine Street, New Orleans
St Augustine
When to go
October 18, when the parish celebrates its homecoming after Hurricane Ida
Why you should go
Founded in 1841, St Augustine is the oldest Black Catholic parish in the country. Free people of color established the parish for their new Treme neighborhood. Despite social opposition, they triumphed and even bought pews to welcome enslaved Catholics. St Augustine is connected to a host of significant Black Catholics like Venerable Henriette Delille and Homer Plessy. The parish campus also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, a memorial dedicated to honor the enslaved Catholics who died unknown except to God.
In 2021, Hurricane Ida tore through the roof and damaged the church’s 180-year-old iron cross. Since then, the parish has worshiped in its social hall. On October 18, the parish will officially reopen its historic church building with a Reentry Mass to coincide with its 185th anniversary.
How to get there
As the birthplace of Jazz and the country’s oldest Black neighborhood, the Treme is crucial in American history. It’s also near the French Quarter, so take advantage of proximity and visit both. 1210 Governor Nicholls Street, New Orleans
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