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Using an iPad, Archbishop Dolan “lit” the first prayer candle contained in the newly revamped Web site for St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
After lighting the virtual candle at a cathedral ceremony June 30 launching the site, the archbishop then lit an actual six-foot candle in the cathedral’s baptistry. It will remain at the front of the cathedral for all the prayers offered through the virtual candles online.
“I am delighted that we can share this connection to St. Patrick’s Cathedral with anyone anywhere who seeks to offer a prayer,” Archbishop Dolan said.
Msgr. Robert T. Ritchie, rector of the cathedral, said in a statement, “Our commitment to share the Gospel takes a giant leap forward with the addition of the virtual prayer candle on our Web site. We hope that millions more will have access to information about the cathedral, and that they will visit virtually until they can come to New York City in person.”
The virtual prayer candle is just one of many new features on the site.
On the home page of the Web site, www.saintpatrickscathedral.org, Msgr. Ritchie discusses the site, and invites online visitors to access “features on history, architecture and prayer.” The Web site includes information on the cathedral’s schedule of Masses, offers a virtual tour with a map showcasing the statues of the cathedral, links to homilies, and video and audio clips of concerts, among other features.
One feature, titled “Visitor Memories,” invites the faithful to share their own personal stories of the cathedral. A woman from Paterson, N.J., shared her delight at attending a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, while another woman from Brazil recalled the joy of getting engaged in the cathedral’s Lady Chapel. A man from Colorado noted a trip he took with his grandfather to the cathedral.
Visit the Web site at www.saintpatrickscathedral.org.
