Each program we offer prepares students to encounter the Cathedral of Saint Paul not as a historic building but as a living catechism- a visual Bible carved into stone, bronze, glass and mosaic. Students prepare for their pilgrimage through lessons utilizing sacred symbols, imagery, scripture, salvation history and church teaching.

Lesson

Each lesson begins with a “big idea” connected to the Catholic faith, such as creation, light, sacrifice, beauty, prayer, or redemption. Students are then introduced to a specific piece of sacred art found within the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Through guided questions and discussion, children are encouraged to closely observe the artwork, think critically, and share how they believe the art connects to the lesson’s main idea.

Exercise/Activity

Lessons conclude with age-appropriate hands-on activities that help students actively experience and remember what they learned. Activities may include art, sensory bins, storytelling, visio divina, etc. Younger students engage through play, movement, and sensory exploration, while older students are encouraged to reflect more deeply, analyze symbolism, and create more detailed artistic responses. These experiences help the big ideas become memorable, meaningful, and lasting.

Pilgrimage

Finally, students make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The tour is a culmination of prayerful preparation that allows students to finally see with their own eyes what they have been studying with their minds and hearts. Students arrive already knowing the story and discover it written all around them.